1www.american.edu/zerowaste

Helen Lee, LEED GAZero Waste Coordinator

American University

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What We Will Discuss Today

• What is AU’s zero waste goal?• How do we get to zero? Understand by auditing• Steps AU has taken to get closer to Zero Waste

– Campus-wide organics collection– Review our containers, placement & collection– Improving exterior collection– Housekeeping training– What else can we divert?

• Next steps – “on our way to zero waste”

What is Zero Waste?

“Zero Waste is a goal that is ethical, economical, efficient and visionary, to guide people in changing their lifestyles and practices to emulate sustainable natural cycles, where all discarded materials are designed to become resources for others to use.”

Zero Waste Alliance International

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AU’s Commitment

“The university shall strive to reach zero waste to landfill and incineration by 2020.”

AU’s Zero Waste Policy: http://www.american.edu/loader.cfm?csModule=security/getfile&pageid=2011196

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AU’s Sustainability Commitments

SITES2 Star SITES

Pilot Certified

LEEDCertifying 25

buildings

STARSGold rated University

ACUPCCClimate

Neutrality by 2020

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Background• Located in Northwest Washington D.C.• 86 acre campus• 12,000 students (half undergrad, half grad)• 3700 – on campus students• 2700 staff/faculty• Total Population around 15,000• No football stadium• No medical complex

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Background

• President Neil Kerwin signed the Zero Waste Policy in January 2010

• Zero Waste Coordinator was hired 2012– July 31, 2013, reuse, recycle compost 50% waste– December 2015, reduce solid waste by 10% and

divert 90% from landfills and incineration– December 2020, reduce additional 10% and send

zero waste to landfill and incineration

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How do we get to zero?What are we throwing

away?

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Waste Audits

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Total Waste Summary for the Library(Recycling Bins + Landfill Bins)

White Paper16.29%

Newspaper0.91%

Tissue Paper0.37%

Other Paper0.53%

Flat Cardboard Packag-ing

15.69%

Glass2.55%

Plastics14.96%Aluminum

0.97%

Food Waste/ Compostable Items

42%

Trash 12.49%

Clothes0.01%

Wood0.02%

www.american.edu/zerowaste

Organics• Chopsticks• Coffee Grounds• Food Waste• Napkins

• Paper Towels• Soiled Cardboard• Tea Bags• Wet paper

• Metals• Plastics• Glass

• Mixed Paper• Dry Cardboard• Paperboard

Recyclables

Trash Chip Bags Candy wrappers

Styrofoam

45% = Compostable

45% Recyclable

10% Landfill

AU Waste Stream

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Developing a Campus-wide Organic Waste Collection Program

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45% of our waste

Organic Waste• Carbon Containing• Anything once living!

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• What is organic waste? – Once living?

Organic!• Organic vs. Compost• Daily Pick-up• Green

Biodegradable Liners

• Lids

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FAQ & Lessons Learned

• Will the bin smell?• Will there be pest

problems?• Lids on

containers?

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Internal Review of Infrastructure & Collection Methods

Container DesignContainer Placement

Quantity of Containers

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Dual Stream Separation• Downcycling of

paper• Lost quality and

value of material• Reduced rebates• Not exact weights

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Redesigning Waste Bins• Color Coded bins & liners• Bins need to educate and

market the zero waste program• Different Lids to accommodate

materials• Aesthetically Pleasing• Meet AU graphic requirements • Bins made out of recycled

material• Durable and Recyclable

MIXED PAPER

PLASTIC METAL GLASS

ORGANIC

LANDFILL

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Redesigned Containers

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• Trash• Metal,

Plastic, Glass• Paper

Cardboard

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Improving Efficiency in

Exterior Collection

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-$ Savings -Higher Rebates-Reduced Transportation Emissions-Accurate Weights-Inspect sorted materials on a daily basis

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Training

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Purchasing Consumer Housekeeping Hauler

How does waste travel? How do we reduce contamination?

Pest Control

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Essential to Train Housekeeping

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Waste Diversion

Recycle• Mixed Paper• Plastic – Metals – Glass• Cardboard• Scrap Metal• Construction Waste• Vehicle Waste• Electronics• Batteries

Reuse• Clothes• Electronics• Furniture• Books• Plastic Bags

Compost• Food Waste• Yard Waste• Paper towels

WASTE MATERIALCOMMODITY WITH VALUE

Next Steps

• Reuse & Reduction – improve surplus management• Removal of all classroom containers with signage

inside• Installation of collection system outside classroom

facilities to encourage participation• Removal of all small desk-side bins in offices• Eliminate or replace 10% with alternatives • Work with manufacturers – go upstream • Sustainability language in contracts

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We are a very wasteful society

• We need to change the culture, we need to educate our future leaders

• Everyone has to play part, from manufacturer down to the consumer, from procurement to waste management.

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Connect with us!

zerowaste@american.edu

www.american.edu/zerowaste

Twitter.com/ZeroWasteAU

Facebook.com/ZeroWasteAU

Youtube.com/ZeroWasteAU

Pintrest.com/ZeroWasteAU

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Sorting inside Buildings

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Paper Towel Composting

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Food Waste Composting

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Scrap metal, Construction Waste, Yard Waste

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Clothing Donation

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Plastic Bag Collection

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E-Waste Recycling

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Other Recycling