CSU, Chico established the Campus Conservation Committee (CCC) in August 2000 to review the university s waste management procedures and to make recommendations to campus administration on ways to further reduce, reuse, and recycle waste products. In addition, the committee is asked to submit an annual report to cabinet each year that describes the waste reduction measures implemented. The annual report below is based on SB 1016. SB 1016 is the required report in which the University summarizes our landfilled waste to the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (formerly the California Integrated Waste Management Board) each year. The SB 1016 focuses on two primary elements; landfill waste reporting and program reporting. I. Landfill Waste Reporting Landfill waste is reported in SB 1016 by weight per employee per day, and students per day. The per capita numbers do not include weight from materials that are recycled, reused, or otherwise diverted from the landfill. California State University, Chico Campus Conservation Committee Annual Report 2012 CSU, Chico is assigned a target weight by Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery which is based on a 50% diversion rate of 2006 waste weights. The actual weights are compared to the target weights to determine if CSU, Chico is meeting the established waste diversion targets. CSU, Chico reported 1,171 tons of landfill waste in 2012*. As detailed in the chart below, CSU, Chico successfully met the target weights in 2012 and is in compliance with SB1016: 2012 Weights per Person per Day Target Pounds Actual Pounds Change from 2011 Employees (1,793) 7.1 lbs per person 3.58 lbs per person.32 lbs per person Students (15,257).6 lbs per person 0.42 lbs per person.08 lbs per person Target lbs.=(year 2006 waste weights/year2006 employees & students/365days/2) *2012 Landfill Weights - Tonnage for the landfill waste stream was determined from actual scale weights provided by the waste hauler for large 18 and 20 yard dumpsters. Full volume of smaller dumpsters was multiplied by a conversion factor of 150 lbs. per yard, derived from the average weight per cubic yard of all waste weighed by the hauler. II. Program Reporting Waste diversion programs are the essential elements of the reporting requirement. The state selected 2006 as the benchmark year against which to measure the new performance metrics in SB 1016. The year 2006 happened to have been a good year for CSU Chico waste diversion, but not a typical one. Construction activity had contributed significantly to both a higher diversion rate and a higher waste to landfill weight per person that year. In a year not so influenced by construction activity CSU Chico would have exceeded the mandated diversion percentage by only a narrow margin. To maintain our leadership role and meet future performance measures CSU Chico should continue to support established programs and encourage development of new ways to reduce our waste to the landfill. The CCC recommendations outline campus goals to further improve waste diversion efforts. (http://www.csuchico.edu/vpbf/sustainable/ccc/reports.shtml).
Pounds Of Waste Created Per Person Per Day Annual Waste Trend Employees Students 5.76 6.08 3.9 4 3.9 3.9 3.58 2.77 0.59 0.62 0.32 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.42 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Specific Waste Reductions Efforts for 2012 What changes have there been in the waste generated or disposed by your State agency/large State facility during the report year? (For example, changes in types and/or quantities of waste.) Explain, to the best of your ability the causes for those changes. CSU, Chico s commitment to waste diversion resulted in the reduction of University dumpsters on the core of campus from eleven to seven, and Associated Students (AS) dumpsters from four to two. The AS reduced dumpsters as a result of decreased waste to landfill. The University reduction of dumpsters is aimed toward accurate waste measurements and to encourage recycling by reducing access to large waste containers. The reduction improved campus landscape and minimize vehicular traffic (large trucks) on the campus. The University increased the reuse and recycling of surplus furniture. Due to these activities the average pound per person has decreased. What types of activities are included in each of the waste diversion programs you continued or newly implemented during the reporting year? New Activities AS Zero Waste Progress o Waste Audits were completed for every department within the Associated Students (AS). The data gathered is analyzed to determine where the AS is in reaching their Zero Waste by 2015 goal, and what the next steps are to ensure the goal is met. At the end of 2012 the AS diversion rate was around 80%. Event Diversion o The Green Event Consulting Team helps event planners on sustainable efforts. The team provides staffing for events to ensure proper disposal of materials. The service results in diversion of up to 90% waste through reuse, composting and recycling. Events such as Summer Orientation consisted of thirty days with 90%+ diversion rate, and International Fest a one day event of 1,000 attendees, resulted in 92% diversion rate. During 2012, the Green Event Consulting Team provided services for 17 events and reached over 22,000 attendees. Cardboard o To encourage re-use Campus departments are charged for new boxes. This program has significantly reduced new box requests, resulting in box re-use. [2]
New Activities; continued Composting o Marketplace; Three-in-one recycling/compost/trash centers provided in the marketplace have an opening for waste to landfill (plastic utensils, Pepsi cups, etc.), and opening for cans/bottle recycling, and an opening for compostable materials. Pictures are displayed on the bins and interns staff the bins at the beginning of each semester to educate students what can and cannot go into the compost. o University Housing; Compost bins were placed in a residence hall at University Housing as a pilotproject. The project continued through 2012 without issue and will be expanded in 2013. Grant Awards o AS was awarded a $55,000 grant for outdoor recycling bins by CalRecycle. The purchase and placement of bins will occur during 2013-2014. Material Exchange o Property Management Department has successfully launched CSU, Chico Surplus Facebook page. This along with the introduction of semi-annual donations to non-profit organization event, have increased Surplus viewing and re-use. Recycling o AS Recycling staff collected over 700,000 lbs. of recyclable material in 2012. o Print and Mail Services Self-Service Paper Shredding Program began recording shredded material in July of 2012. Between July and December, 284 bags of shredded material were recorded; an equivalent of 3,408 lbs. of recycling. o FMS shredding program recycled over 29,000 lbs. of material in 2012. Reduction of Paper Use o Double-Sided Printing Campaign for campus wide student printers resulted in two-fold benefits of green (reduce-reuse-recycle) awareness and per page price reduction for double-sided printing. o Human Resource forms are available online and are located on the Chico State Web site. Reusable service ware o Accounting Operations presented staff with re-usable dish ware to reduce office waste. Continued Activities Cardboard o Contract waste hauler provides cardboard collection receptacles at various locations on campus. Composting o All paper towels in BMU bathrooms are composted. To encourage composting, blue bins with signage are placed next to each trash can. o Food scraps are collected from kitchen areas on campus. Food scraps are taken to Rainbo Warehouse dumpster then picked up by Recology, for composting in a Marysville facility. o The university contract waste hauler provides two 18-yard green waste containers, the contents of which are composted or converted to cogeneration. o Grass clippings are delivered to the University Farm for composting. Annual leaf fall is collected and delivered to City of Chico collection sites for transport to the municipal composting facility. o [3]
Continued Activities; continued Computers o Working and non-working electronics are donated to Computer for Classrooms. Construction Waste Diversion o Construction contracts incorporate waste management specifications requiring contractors to plan and divert concrete, asphalt, aluminum, metal and other recyclable construction by-products from the landfill. Diversion Excursion o A cooperative effort between the Housing Department and Associated Students Recycling collects reusable materials and recyclables from Resident Hall move out. The materials are then sorted and distributed to local charities and recycling centers: In 2012 over 20,000 pounds were diverted. Education o This Way to Sustainability Conference is patterned toward CSUC faculty, staff, students, public officials, administrators, and local citizens. Education aimed toward sustainable development concepts, and sustainable communities. Sessions are designed for beginners, as well as those with advanced knowledge. Grass-cycling o Mulch mowing is used on main campus, playfields and lawn areas. Material Exchange o Property Management Department promotes re-use of surplus office items and furniture. CSUC departments can obtain surplus goods by appointment or monthly viewings. Public School viewing and donation occur monthly. Non-Profit Organization donations occur semi-annually. Public Auctions are held quarterly and online actions are held three to four times per year. Newspaper Recycling o Newspaper companies provide dedicated collection bins to facilitate their recycling efforts. AS Recycling collects remaining newspapers. Office Supply Swap o Offices and departments donate office supplies they no longer want. AS Recycling gives away reusable office supplies such as folders, binders, envelopes and paper to campus and to non-profit organizations. o The Office of Property Management also has a similar program for office supplies. Recycling Programs o The AS Recycling program provides collection services for office paper, beverage containers, and compost. Collection programs include Office Recycling, the Faculty Call-in Program, Special Event Recycling, Phone Book Collections and the Saturday Donation Center. o The University contracted waste hauler provides recycling bins at the housing units outside the AS pick up area. o Facilities Management Services provides a wood bin, a 1-yard metal shop scrap, and a 20-yard miscellaneous metal scrap collection container, for recycling purposes. [4]
Continued Activities; continued Reduction of Hazardous Materials Use o Micro-scale chemistry is used whenever possible to reduce chemical use. Reduction of Paper Use o Double-sided copies; all multi-function printers on campus have a default setting for two-sided copies. Although it is not currently mandated, this is a recommendation put forth by the Campus Conservation Committee. o Electric air-dryers installed in Student Services Center and Gateway Science Museum eliminates paper towel use in those buildings. o On-line Inside Chico State magazine, Campus catalog, Campus directory, scanning, online print ordering, electronic daily staff announcements and e-mail use accounts for reduced paper use. o Most bulletin boards require approval for posting, though some on campus are less restrictive. Most items traditionally posted on bulletin boards are now advertised electronically (i.e., Craiglist). o Paper memos are being replaced by electronic means (i.e., e-mail). o Phonebooks During 2012, 300 phonebooks were delivered to campus, resulting in a reduction of 87% since 2008. o Recycled paper is utilized in all towel dispensers on campus. o Recycled paper is utilized in the print shop and campus department multi-function print systems, 30% recycled, and 100% recycled paper options are available. o Print Services offers free scratch pads made from scrap paper that is blank on one side, to all campus departments. Rendering o The CSUC Farm Meat Lab sends all by-products to rendering service for making animal feed. o AS Food Service collects unusable fryer oil at all food service areas on campus. Reuse of Materials and Equipment o Both Main Campus and AS Receiving Departments collect and reuse packaging materials (i.e., plastic peanuts). o Toner and laser cartridges are collected and recycled. o Both Main Campus and AS Receiving Departments reuse pallets, sell them to pallet recyclers, or place in wood recycling bins. o Reusable rags from our custodial and all trade departments are re-serviced through various vendors. Signage o All recycling bins are clearly marked. These include the exterior campus-wide aggregate bins as well as the hundreds of interior recycling bins. Tree and Limb Removal o Tree and limb removal is either taken away by tree service or converted to firewood, green waste, or lumber. Used Book Buy Back o AS Wildcat Store buys back over 20,000 books that are either used for the next semester s program or sold to a used book wholesaler. All unusable books are recycled through AS Recycling. [5]