Waste
UVM tries to reduce its waste from daily operations as well as major construction/renovation projects on campus. For example, when the LEED Gold student center, the Davis Center, was built a majority (92%) of the construction waste was recycled to create walkways, etc. In addition, all new materials that were used to build the Davis Center have at least 5% recycled content.
The Eco-reps educate students living in residence halls on how they can reduce their energy and material waste. The Recycling & Waste Management office runs many waste reduction programs, including Move In and Move Out recycling programs for residential students.
OP Credit 17: Waste Reduction (1.82/5)
From 2006 to 2009, UVM reduced its waste (garbage, recycling and compost materials) per campus user and would receive 1.82 out of 5 possible points.
Erica Spiegel, Supervisor
UVM Recycling/Solid Waste Office
N/A
OP Credit 18: Waste Diversion (1.06/3)
In 2009, the total waste generated was 2,484 tons while 723 tons were recycled and 158 tons were composted. According to the STARS calculation, UVM may receive up to 1.06 points out of a possible 3 points for this credit.
Erica Spiegel, Supervisor
UVM Recycling/Solid Waste Office
N/A
OP Credit 19: Construction and Demolition Waste Reduction (0.91/1)
In the last three years, UVM has diverted waste from two recent construction projects: The Dudley H. Davis Center and the Given Medical Complex. Materials recycled included: metal, wood, concrete, gypsum, and cardboard. Metal and cardboard materials were sent to All Cycle Waste; wood materials were sent to the McNeil biomass power plant; concrete materials were either crushed on site and used as fill and sub-base for roads or loaded in trucks and sent to Pike Industries for roadway; and gypsum materials were sent to GP Gypsum in Newington, New Hampshire.
The total construction and demolition waste that was recycled, donated, or recovered from these two projects totaled 10,763 tons out of the total 11,771 tons of waste that was generated. According to the STARS calculation, this may earn UVM up to 0.91 points out of 1 point for this credit.
Michelle Smith, Green Building Coordinator
UVM Capital Planning & Management
OP Credit 20: Electronic Waste Recycling Program (1/1)
UVM has programs in place to recycle e-waste generated by the University and the student body. Departments can request for their e-waste to be picked up and recycled and there are 20 locations for students to drop off small electronic waste such as cell phones, batteries, and light bulbs. All waste is sent to a safe facility. UVM would receive 1 point for this credit.
Erica Spiegel, Supervisor
UVM Recycling/Solid Waste Office
OP Credit 21: Hazardous Waste Management (1/1)
The University of Vermont has an environmental safety program which meets the STARS requirements for this credit by regulating all chemicals on campus and keeping track of their proper disposal. UVM has a training program dedicated to the education of all teachers, assistants, and technicians about proper chemical management.
The university has set up a five step environmental management program (EMP) showing their commitment to proper management of campus chemicals. The program was written to fulfill the requirements of the State of Vermont and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) site-specific regulations for the New England Universities Laboratory Project XL for which UVM is one of three pilot sites.
UVM would receive 1 point for this credit.
Ralph Stuart, Environmental Safety Manager
UVM Environmental Safety Facility
Tier Two Credits
Credit 1: Materials Exchange (0.25/0.25)
UVM runs the Office Supply Collection and Reuse (OSCAR) program. This free service run by the university's Recycling Office collects and redistributes office supplies, such as folders, envelops, binders, desk accessories and other small items, that are in good shape.
The Recycling Office is also encouraging the use of Freecycle, which would serve the same purpose as the OSCAR program, but managed online. UVM would receive the full 0.25 points for this credit.
Erica Spiegel, Supervisor
UVM Recycling/Solid Waste Office
Credit 2: Limiting Printing (0.25/0.25)
UVM charges for printing in its main campus Bailey/Howe library. The fee for black and white print jobs if paid in cash is 10¢, color copies cost 25¢, and a copy to a transparency costs 35¢. Although there is free unlimited printing for certain offices and departments on campus, these are limited and only accessible to the people that work in those areas. UVM would receive the full 0.25 points for this credit.
Erica Spiegel, Supervisor
UVM Recycling/Solid Waste Office
Credit 3: Materials Online (0.25/0.25)
UVM provides material online including course catalogs, course schedules, institution directories as well as reading and course materials for students. UVM would receive the full 0.25 points for this credit.
Erica Spiegel, Supervisor
UVM Recycling/Solid Waste Office
Credit 4: Chemical Reuse Inventory (0.25/0.25)
UVM has a chemical reuse program that is coordinated by the Environmental Safety Department. If researchers have excess chemicals that they think other researchers could use they can contact Environmental Safety either by phone or email.
Environmental Safety also keeps some excess chemicals in stock and can coordinate with researchers on reusing those chemicals. UVM would receive the full 0.25 points for this credit.
Ralph Stuart, Environmental Safety Manager
UVM Environmental Safety Facility
Credit 5: Move-In Waste Reduction (0.25/0.25)
Every fall semester move-in at UVM, the Recycling & Waste Management office coordinates a program to encourage students to recycle their cardboard boxes. The Recycling crew sets up specific areas where students can break down and stack their empty boxes. The crew also monitors the area regularly and takes the cardboard to a temporary storage facility, which is later delivered to the Chittenden Solid Waste District Materials Recycling Facility.
Erica Spiegel, Supervisor
UVM Recycling/Solid Waste Office
Credit 6: Move-Out Waste Reduction (0.25/0.25)
Similar to the move-in program, UVM has a program to reduce waste during end-of-year residence hall move-out. In the last week of school, students are encouraged to donate their unwanted possessions including clothing, food, toiletries and other household items.
During finals week, staff from UVM’s Recycling & Waste Management office, along with Eco-Reps, set up big bins in the main lobby of residence halls where students can drop off donations. The donated materials are then picked up by Vermont Food Bank and other community-based non-profit organizations. UVM would receive 0.25 points for this credit.
Erica Spiegel, Supervisor
UVM Recycling/Solid Waste Office
