Kimberly Lam CACS Waste Reduction Internsustainability.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/CACS...diversion and reduction of waste. • • Additional analysis of the waste stream will

Un

ive

rsity o

f Ca

liforn

ia, B

erk

ele

y

striving for zero waste

Reaching Zero Waste by 2020

Kimberly Lam

CACS Waste Reduction Intern

February 2012

Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Sustainability

Un

ive

rsity o

f Ca

liforn

ia, B

erk

ele

y

striving for zero waste

UC Sustainability Policy:

UC Berkeley has adopted the UC waste

diversion goals:

•75% Diversion by June 30, 2012

•Zero waste By 2020

Un

ive

rsity o

f Ca

liforn

ia, B

erk

ele

y

striving for zero waste

UC Berkeley will likely not meet the 75%

Diversion by June 30, 2012

UC Berkeley will not achieve zero waste, if it

does not implement strategies to meet 75%

diversion.

If not now, when (and how)?

Un

ive

rsity o

f Ca

liforn

ia, B

erk

ele

y

striving for zero waste

Municipal solid waste has dropped about

23% since 1995… and waste per capita

has decreased even faster: 33%.

Waste to Landfill

We are

moving in

the right

direction

Un

ive

rsity o

f Ca

liforn

ia, B

erk

ele

y

Getting to 75% diversion

The campus is on average at about a 40%

diversion rate when construction and

demolition waste is excluded.

Current Waste Diversion

We need to

almost

double our

diversion

efforts to

make 75%

goal

Un

ive

rsity o

f Ca

liforn

ia, B

erk

ele

y

In 2008-09 the

campus

produced about

10,500 tons of

material.

Getting to 75% diversion

Un

ive

rsity o

f Ca

liforn

ia, B

erk

ele

y

2008-09 tonnage

Landfill 6,800

Paper Recycling 1,700

Green Waste & Wood 900

Compost (Food & Paper Towels) 500

Electronics Recycling 200

Scrap Metal 200

Other 100

Beverage Containers 50

Special Wastes Recycling 50

Reusables 5

Plastic Film 2

Total 10,500

How much of the

waste that goes to

landfill could be

composted and

recycled?

Getting to 75% diversion

Un

ive

rsity o

f Ca

liforn

ia, B

erk

ele

y

Based on the data from waste audits

performed by Building Sustainability @ Cal

in several campus buildings and according

to analysis provided by Compost Alliance…

The campus could achieve a 65% diversion rate by:

•Expanding food waste and paper towel

composting to most campus buildings

•Improving paper and bottle/can recycling rates

Getting to 75% diversion

Un

ive

rsity o

f Ca

liforn

ia, B

erk

ele

y

Our diversion potential is consistent with EPA findings

Un

ive

rsity o

f Ca

liforn

ia, B

erk

ele

y

Another 3,000 tons of

food waste and paper

towels can be composted

Another 1500 tons of

paper and 300 tons of

bottle/cans can be

recycled

Getting to 75% diversion 81% DIVERSION tonnage

Landfill 2,000

Paper Recycling 3,200

Compost (Food & Paper Towels) 3,500

Green Waste & Wood 900

Beverage Containers 300

Electronics Recycling 200

Scrap Metal 200

Other 100

Special Wastes Recycling 50

Reusables 5

Plastic Film 2

Total 10,500

Un

ive

rsity o

f Ca

liforn

ia, B

erk

ele

y

Key Factors to Increasing Recycling

Improve & Expand

• Interior and exterior recycling and waste

bins systems and signage

• Increase marketing/outreach & educate

faculty, staff, and students on proper

disposal.

Getting to 75% diversion

Un

ive

rsity o

f Ca

liforn

ia, B

erk

ele

y

Key Factors to Increasing Composting • Implement food and paper-towel composting in all

campus owned buildings.

• Add interior and exterior composting bins and

signage.

• Change custodial and grounds services scope of

work to include removing compostable material

and recycling from buildings.

• Expand current composting pick-up and disposal

service by vendor (or bring service in-house).

• Increase marketing/outreach & educate faculty,

staff, and students on proper disposal.

Getting to 75% diversion

Un

ive

rsity o

f Ca

liforn

ia, B

erk

ele

y

Key Challenges to Compost and Recycle More

• Funding – with the exception of small pilot

grants, the current funding model does not

support the improvements needed.

• Operational Change – new separated

waste stream for custodial and grounds

services and CRRS to remove.

• Behavioral Change – campus community

needs to engage in the process to ensure

proper disposal.

Getting to 75% diversion

Un

ive

rsity o

f Ca

liforn

ia, B

erk

ele

y

Key Diversion Opportunities

• There is an abundant interest and

activity around improving the campus

diversion and reduction of waste.

• Additional analysis of the waste

stream will likely reveal more

opportunities for diversion through

existing programs.

• Pilot composting program is gaining

traction, while testing a shared funding

model with departments and a new

custodial service methodology.

Getting to 75% diversion

• Compost Alliance

• The Exchange

• Reuse Centers

• Greening the Greeks

• BS@C & Go Team

• Green Event Certification

• Green Student Groups

(ASUC)

• CLI-E Waste Reduction

• Stadium Zero Waste

Initiative

• CRRS efforts

• Exterior Bin Replacement

(TGIF)

AND MORE

Un

ive

rsity o

f Ca

liforn

ia, B

erk

ele

y

Getting to Zero Waste

UC Berkeley

will only

achieve zero

waste, if it

implements the

strategies

needed to get to

75% diversion.

Strategies for Zero Waste

• Invest in outreach & education

• Improve green purchasing

practices to consider life-cycle and

minimize packaging.

• Enhance reuse systems and

programs.

• Maximize use of LEED waste

reduction points for new

construction/renovations and in

existing buildings.

Un

ive

rsity o

f Ca

liforn

ia, B

erk

ele

y

Getting to Zero Waste

UC Berkeley

will only

achieve zero

waste, if it

implements the

strategies

needed to get to

75% diversion.

Strategies for Zero Waste

• Make all events, including athletic

events, zero waste.

• Compost and recycle more

material – including lab waste.

• Purchase only recyclable and

compostable materials.

• Work with current manufacturers

and vendors to develop take back

or recycling programs

• Use LESS

• Create Zero Waste Research

Center

Un

ive

rsity o

f Ca

liforn

ia, B

erk

ele

y

Getting to Zero Waste

Additional Strategies for Zero Waste: ReUSE

•ReUSE stations

on campus and in

departments

•Reader and

Clothing Move-

Out Collection

and Giveaway

•Building Decants

Un

ive

rsity o

f Ca

liforn

ia, B

erk

ele

y

Getting to Zero Waste

Exchange.berkeley.edu

facilitates the “give and

take” of free, items,

helping 1000+ students,

faculty and staff divert

materials by reusing.

Additional Strategies for Zero Waste: The Exchange

Un

ive

rsity o

f Ca

liforn

ia, B

erk

ele

y

striving for zero waste

Courtesy: Dr. Paul Connett

Un

ive

rsity o

f Ca

liforn

ia, B

erk

ele

y

Zero Waste Plan • All UC Campuses will be preparing and

submitting Zero Waste Plans to UCOP in 2012.

• The UC Berkeley plan will further analyze the

steps, funding, operational systems, and

commitments needed to reach 75% diversion

and zero waste.

Zero Waste Plan

Un

ive

rsity o

f Ca

liforn

ia, B

erk

ele

y

CACS Recommendation

• The campus take the necessary

steps to meet the 75% diversion goal

as soon as possible but no later than

2015 and reach Zero Waste by 2020.

Getting to Zero Waste

Next Steps

• Share these findings and CACS

recommendation with PPCS

leadership, Vice Chancellor Denton

and the Chancellor.

Un

ive

rsity o

f Ca

liforn

ia, B

erk

ele

y

Thanks To: Building Sustainability @ Cal

ReUSE Program

Claire Evans

Student Coordinator, Compost Alliance

Lin King

Manager, Campus Recycling and Refuse Services

Kira Stoll

CACS Staff Co-Chair/Sustainability Manager

Excerpts, data and snapshots from the 2010 and 2011

campus Sustainability Report