About WasteWise
WasteWise is a free partnership program
sponsored by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) that helps
organizations save money, improve
efficiency, and reduce their climate
footprint through waste reduction.
Waste reduction is focused on three key
elements:
Preventing waste before it's generated
Recycling and/or composting
Buying or manufacturing recycled-
content products
WasteWise is a flexible program that allows
partners to design a waste reduction
program that best meets their specific
needs. Any organization, including large
and small businesses, colleges and
universities, nonprofit organizations, and
federal, state, local, and tribal governments,
can become a WasteWise partner.
Learn More
For more information, please visit:
www.epa.gov/wastewise
&ER&
OnCampus eccMmbassadors
WasteWise OnCampus
Goals of the WasteWise OnCampus Program
Reduce the amount of waste generated on your campus
Increase awareness on campus about how to reduce waste
Lead your school to become a WasteWise partner
If You're Interested In:
Working collaboratively with the facilities staff on your campus
Collecting and analyzing data
Evaluating and measuring options for waste prevention and reduction
Monitoring and reporting progress and tracking cost savings
Measuring the environmental and economic benefits of the program
WasteWise OnCampus is the program for you!
How to Get Started
The path to implementing WasteWise OnCampus involves a few key steps:
Join WasteWise by registering online atwww.epa.gov/wastewise
Learn about the waste generated on your campus by conducting a waste
assessment - for example, you'll talk with the facilities staff to find out:
how much waste is generated on campus
what types of materials are being disposed of
' what amount of waste is currently being recycled
how much your school pays for waste disposal
Identify areas on campus where waste can be prevented or reduced
Select the waste reduction program best suited for your school
See page 2 for a step-by-step checklist for WasteWise OnCampus
Campus Successes
In 2008, Rutgers University recycled or reused more than 15,000 tons of material.
Some unique approaches included pulverizing and donating 3,700 tons of food
waste to a local pig farm, using 23 tons of used grease and oil for biofuels, and
reselling 33 tons of unwanted furniture.
Eastern Illinois University sponsors a program to collect unwanted furniture when
students move out in the spring and then makes these items available for purchase
by students in the fall. All proceeds from the furniture resale are donated to charity.
Other efforts include collecting Freon, automobile and other batteries, and
refurbishing and reusing pallets. In 2007, the university increased its recycling rates
for mixed metals and plastics by 115 percent over the previous year.
US.
The WasteWise OnCampus program is ideal for students pursuing degrees in:
Business, Environmental Science, Engineering, and Public Policy
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Checklist for WasteWise OnCampus
Follow the steps below to reduce waste on your campus.
Q 1. Join WasteWise.
It's easy to join WasteWise as a partner. Registeronlineatwww.epa.gov/wastewise.
Q 2. Identify opportunities to reduce waste on your campus.
Conduct a waste assessment to identify where waste can be reduced on your campus.
Talk with the facilities team to find out:
(1) how much and what kind of waste is generated on campus
(2) what types of materials are being disposed of
(3) what amount of waste is being recycled
(4) how much your school pays for waste disposal
The information collected will help you pinpoint the waste reduction areas on which to
focus. Conduct a brainstorming session to identify potential waste prevention and
recycling activities. Make a list of the most promising options. Carefully evaluate the
options to make sure you're considering both economic and operational feasibility.
Q 3. Contact the WasteWise Helpline to set your baseline and goals.
Contact the WasteWise Helpline (see contact information below) to determine which
type of waste reduction program best meets the needs of your school:
Waste prevention will eliminate waste at its source.
Recycling saves energy and helps keep materials out of landfills and incinerators.
Composting contributes to soil health and keeps organic wastes out of landfills.
Buying recycled-content products helps to close the "recycling loop."
Data collected in Step 2 will help to establish a baseline for your waste reduction efforts.
Work with the WasteWise team to set goals for your program that can be tracked and
measuredyour goals will help you decide how you will reduce waste on campus. Add
the baseline and goals into your campus presentation using the template provided by
the OnCampus team and load your presentation into the OnCampus Connector.
Q 4. Kick off your program.
Hold a kick-off event to promote your program and to encourage students to
participate. Check out the tips for scheduling events on the right. Schedule additional
meetings with environmental groups on your campus to explain howyour program will
help your school reduce waste and reduce its climate footprint. Be prepared to share
your campus presentation at these meetings.
Q 5. Report your results in WasteWise Re-TRAC.
As a WasteWise partner, you are required to report baseline and annual data. Use
WasteWise Re-TRAC to submit these data with a few simple clicks. WasteWise uses
annual reporting information to determine award winners and to promote the
achievements of its partners.
Q 6. Track and measure your progress.
Knowing howfar you've come will help you plan your next steps. Measuring your
progress will also help to identify how WasteWise efforts are saving money and
reducing greenhouse gas emissions on your campus. Use the WasteWise Re-TRAC data
management system to keep track of your activities and to run real-time reports about
your progress. Update your campus presentation with your accomplishment. Share the
WasteWise Re-TRAC reports and your campus presentation with student groups and
administrators to publicize the environmental and economic benefits of your program.
Help for WasteWise Partners
WasteWise partners have access to:
- free, one-on-one technical assistance
- useful tools and resources
- outreach and educational materials
The WasteWise team can help you identify
waste reduction goals, design a campus
program, and answer general questions.
WasteWise Re-TRAC is a free, web-based
tool that helps you to track your school's
waste generation and reduction activities.
Visit: https://my.re-trac.com/Logln.pm
EPA OnCampus Connector
The Connector is an online collaboration
forum for OnCampus ecoAmbassadors to
discuss ideas, post documents, and share
successes. Access the online forum at:
https^/epaoncampus.groupsite.com/login
Tips for Successful Events
1. Find a suitable space.
2. Put up posters to advertise the event.
3. Create a Facebookad.
4. Call your friends! Ask them to help you
spread the word.
5. Plan to have snacks available - find out
if you can get donations.
6. Arrange for music at the event.
7. Arrive early to set up the space,
including snacks and music.
8. Create sign-up sheets for all attendees.
9. Post news about the event on the
OnCampus Connector, including the
sign-up sheets.
EPA Contact Info
WasteWise Helpline
(800) EPA-WISE (372-9473)
oswwastewise@epa.gov
Allow a few days for a return call. Contact
the OnCampus team if there is no response
from the WasteWise helpline.
EPA OnCampus Team
EPAOnCampus@epa.gov
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