Digging into Waste (& Waste Data)
Waste-Related Data Collection
The College’s waste haulers report the rates of waste production on campus on this google sheet (viewable by students, staff, and faculty). We use this data, along with periodic waste audits, to determine trends over time and identify challenges that need to be addressed.
Waste Audits
Since 2009, the Zilkha Center has conducted waste audits to determine what is being thrown away correctly and incorrectly and in which locations on campus. From there, the results of the audits are used to make recommendations about what sorts of solutions are needed in terms of infrastructure, recycling education, and perhaps even purchasing best practices. Student and staff volunteers gear up in a full-body Tyvek suit, tear open trash and recycling bags, and sort them into pre-determined categories that include food, non-food compostables, paper, cardboard, recyclable plastic, non-recyclable plastic, glass, and trash.
The results of the waste audits can be found below:
Megamenu Social