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striving for zero waste
Reaching Zero Waste by 2020
Kimberly Lam
CACS Waste Reduction Intern
February 2012
Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Sustainability
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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
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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)?
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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
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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
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In 2008-09 the
campus
produced about
10,500 tons of
material.
Getting to 75% diversion
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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
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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
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Our diversion potential is consistent with EPA findings
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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striving for zero waste
Courtesy: Dr. Paul Connett
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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
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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.
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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
