2012 marked Stanford’s sixth consecutive year of participation in RecycleMania, a national competition and benchmarking tool for higher education recycling programs. Administered by Peninsula Sanitary Services, Inc. (PSSI), Buildings & Grounds Maintenance, and the Department of Sustainability and Energy Management, Stanford reports recycling and trash tonnage over an 8-week period, to be ranked amongst all participating colleges and universities.
RecycleMania Program
Campus Participation and Goals
This year's goals include reengaging in our recycling commitment, increasing the landfill diversion rate, and improving Stanford's standing in this national competition in the process.
Individual Action
Stanford’s success in RecycleMania depends on conscientious individual action. You can make a difference every day by doing the following:
- Recycle all paper, paper packaging, cardboard, metal, glass containers, and plastic containers. Plastic bags, air pillows, and bubble wrap can be placed in the paper recycling bins.
- Compost all coffee grounds, food scraps, and BPI-certified compostable service ware.
- Use reusable plates, cups, and utensils when possible.
Participation Pledge and Prizes
The Office of Sustainability will award $1500 in participation prizes for those who take the Recyclemania pledge each week, during the 8-week competition. Students, staff, and faculty can win! Weekly prize winners will be announced on the Sustainable Stanford Facebook page, along with Stanford’s weekly RecycleMania standings.
Education and Training
The Office of Sustainability hosted an open invitation webinar on Wednesday, February 1 at 12:00 p.m. PST. The 20-minute presentation provides more information about the 2012 RecycleMania competition and explains updates to Stanford’s recycling program. The session featured Q&A with Julie Muir from PSSI/Stanford Recycling. Watch a recording of the webinar here.
Recognition
Each year the national RecycleMania competition recognizes winning schools at a public awards ceremony held during an industry event. Stanford can also earn bragging rights over other schools it beats in the competition!
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Stanford’s RecycleMania Performance 2007 – 2011
Stanford’s RecycleMania Performance 2007 – 2011
Stanford’s RecycleMania results have been consistently strong, and 2011 proved no different. The table below provides a snapshot of Stanford’s performance in four of the most fiercely competitive categories.
In addition to the national standings shown above, Stanford achieved the following in the 2011 competition:
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Scored a personal best in seven of eight categories
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Reduced per capita food waste, suggesting a positive impact from ongoing food prep efficiency programs
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Placed first among Ivy Plus schools in six of eight categories
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Reduced landfilled tonnage to 115.04 lbs/person from a high of more than 160 lbs/person in the 2007 competition
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Earned Top 20 national rankings in all targeted material recycling categories
Stanford’s Current Waste Diversion Rate
Stanford’s Current Waste Diversion Rate
Over the last 30 years, Stanford has increased waste diversion to 64% by recycling paper, bottles and cans, yard trimmings, food scraps, wood, and construction and demolition debris. Stanford has also reduced the amount of waste sent to the landfill. In 1998, Stanford landfilled about 14,000 tons of trash. By 2010, Stanford reduced that number to around 8,200 tons.
Waste Audit Discoveries
Waste Audit Discoveries
Stanford performed 20 waste audits over the past 2 years and discovered interesting results. By weight, the trash dumpsters audited contained the following:
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8% Aluminum Cans, Plastic Bottles and Glass Jars
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15% Office Paper and Paper Packaging
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3% Metals
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4% Reusable Items
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31% Organics: Food Scraps and Compostable Service Ware
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1% Toilet Paper Rolls (½ full)
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7% Paper Towels
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1% Styrofoam
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26% Real Trash
If Stanford recycled all aluminum cans, plastics bottles, glass jars, office paper, and paper packaging, another 1,886 tons could be added to the university’s recycling total during Recyclemania!
The Costs of Not Recycling
The Costs of Not Recycling
The 1,886 tons of recyclables cost Stanford in two ways: 1. we have to pay to landfill it. 2. the University can't sell the aluminum cans, plastic bottles, glass jars and paper to the materials market and misses the opportunity to collect salvage revenue.
