2010 greenhouse gas emissions inventory & recommendations for achieving carbon neutrality...
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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
Transp
ortation
Wast
e & Chem
icals
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
8,247
4,142
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.