2010

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory & Recommendations for Achieving Carbon

Neutrality

Faculty Coordinator: Dr. Kate Hale WilsonFaculty Support: Dr. Jim Boulter and Dr. Kim PiersonStudent Researchers: Carbon Neutral Team, 2010

Student Presenters: Jason Hansen, Laura Headrick, Steph Mabrey,& Andi Krunnfusz

Solid Waste

ACUPCC• Presidents Climate

Commitment– Achieve climate

neutrality (date TBD)– Initiate tangible actions

to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

– Publish the climate action plan, emissions inventory, and periodic progress reports

What is eCO2?

• Equivalent carbon dioxide emissions• Standard measurement for global warming

potential– Carbon Dioxide– Methane– Nitrous Oxide– Halocarbons– Sulfur Hexafluoride

2010 Total eCO2 Emissions

Total Emissions: 38,870 metric tons eCO2

35%

33%

21%

11%HeatingElectricityTransportationSolid Waste & Chemicals

o Solid Waste produces 4,139 MT eCO2

eCO2 Production by Sources 2008 & 2010 (MT)

Heating

Electr

icity &

Cooling

Transporta

tion

Waste &

Chemica

ls

Offsets

Total

eCO2-5,000

05,000

10,00015,00020,00025,00030,00035,00040,00045,000

16,07520,002

5,380

105

-2,284

39,278

13,77112,707

8,2474,142

0

38,870

20082010

Solid Waste and Compost

• Solid Waste– Any solid or semi-solid material that is placed in

landfills, composted, or recycled– Contributes to the carbon footprint when greenhouse

gases (GHGs) are released during decomposition

• Compost– Organic materials– Considered carbon neutral when properly composted

Solid Waste Emissions eCO2

41%

34%

21%

4%

TrashPaperCommingledCardboardCompost

Note: If the majority of paper was not properly recycled, it would contribute more than two times the metric tons of eCO2

Solid Waste Recommendations

• Reduce Paper Use• Improve our Performance in RecycleMania• Remove Water Bottles from Vending Machines• Expand Composting

Reduce Paper Use

Paper is the second largest contributor to solid waste emissions, at 1,413 MT of eCO2. If

paper were eliminated in classrooms wherever possible and replaced with online and

electronic systems, paper waste and resulting emissions would be drastically reduced. UW-

Eau Claire employs the online class management system Desire2Learn and we recommend

that the use of this system be encouraged in all classes. In addition, syllabi and other

course handouts should be circulated electronically through Desire2Learn, a course web

site, or campus email. Academic and administrative offices should also reduce paper use by

printing only what is necessary and by converting paper forms to electronic versions;

examples include job applications, financial aid forms, transcripts and degree audits, etc.

Paper usage currently contributes 3.6% of the university’s overall GHG emissions.

Improve our Performance in RecycleMania

RecycleMania, an annual nation-wide university and college campus event, promotes recycling and

environmentally conscious methods of waste management. A competition among schools, it runs for 10

weeks each academic school year and measures the largest amount of recyclables per capita, total

recyclables, and the least amount of trash or un-recyclable waste from each participating campus. In the

2010 competition, UW-Eau Claire placed eleventh among thirteen participating Wisconsin universities.

At 1,716 MT of eCO2, trash is the largest contributor of solid waste emissions. By promoting

RecycleMania, the University would not only encourage and sustain more effective methods of waste

management, but also help develop positive attitudes toward proper recycling habits. We recommend

that the University advertise and explain RecycleMania before and during the competition to increase

awareness and participation. The competition could also be made more locally meaningful by having

competitions between residence halls and between academic departments.

Remove Water Bottles from Vending Machines

During the 2009-2010 fiscal year, UW-Eau Claire’s commingled recyclables emitted 889 MT of eCO2.

Plastic bottles make up a large part of these recyclables, and also contribute to University waste

when members of the campus community do not practice proper recycling. The removal of water

bottles from all University vending machines would not only decrease the amount of waste, but

would also be more cost-efficient for the students, faculty and staff. The University has water

fountains readily available in all University buildings, and reusable water bottles are available for

purchase on campus. To promote sustainable water choices, the University should reduce the price

of reusable water bottles and offer the bottles as prizes and as part of a freshman-welcome kit, as

well as providing them to all new faculty and staff hires. Additionally, promoting campus awareness

of the global issues connected to commercially bottled water affords opportunities for curricular

and co-curricular initiatives.

Expand Composting

A successful compost program, in which all organic waste is removed from the

trash, would result in an up to 4.3% decrease in overall UW-Eau Claire GHG

emissions. Currently, compost is collected only in the W.R. Davies Center—one of

28 University buildings. We recommend that compost bins be placed in each food

service area, including Riverview Café, Hilltop Center, Library Grounds, and the

Simply to Go food stands in Hibbard Humanities Hall and Haas Fine Arts Center. We

further recommend that clear and consistent signage appear in all compost areas.

The University should pilot a compost program in one residence hall to determine

feasibility, working closely with Facilities Management and the Housing Office.

Additional Information

• For more detailed information, please view the 2010 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Report & Recommendations for Achieving Carbon Neutrality in full at:

http://www.uwec.edu/Sustainability/plans/index.htm