Waste Reduction Recycling HBS Student Sustainability Associate Program

Waste Reduction & Recycling HBS Student Sustainability Associate Program

Waste Reduction & Recycling Campaign Kick-off & Waste Awareness Presentation – today! • Introduce HBS’ sustainability program and your section’s Student Sustainability Associate (SSA) • Kick off the Green Cup challenge and the Waste Reduction & Recycling Campaign • Review what goes in the trash, recycling, and compost bins Garbage Games (Green Cup Challenge) – November 3 @ 3 PM • Seeking 6 tributes from each section to compete • Teams will enjoy an adventure-packed competition, snacks, and a shot at winning Green Cup points • Sponsor tip: pay attention to the content in this presentation!

Sustainability at HBS Results (2014) • 45% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions • 21% reduction in energy consumption • 67% campus-wide recycling rate Initiatives • 100+ energy conservation measures • 11 LEED Certified Buildings • 277. 5 kilowatts of on-campus installed solar (Tata, Shad, Batten, Morgan buildings) Annual Green Cup Challenge • Competition among the sections through a series of sustainability-themed events • Sections compete for points that go towards the Green Cup grand prize ($1000) and contribute to SA Cup totals • Sections that attend today’s session will receive their first Green Cup point!

Student Sustainability Associates (SSAs) • The SSAs are HBS students that have a personal and/or professional interest in environmental sustainability • There are 10 SSAs, one per section • SSA initiatives: – Promote sustainable living and working on campus through a variety of educational events and communications (see 20142015 campaigns) – Suggest and pursue infrastructure and policy modifications to improve resource conservation on campus – Serve as a resource for each section to address questions and provide information on sustainable living Class of 2016 SSAs A Aparna Singh F Jim Ross B Sameer Manek G Bhargavi Chevva C Colin Fraser H Ritika Tawani D Polina Dekhtyar I E Nib Paratheeptham J Wendy Lin Lauren Rodriguez 2014 -2015 Campaigns Oct-Nov Waste Reduction & Recycling Nov-Dec Energy Conservation Feb-Mar Water Awareness April Earth Month May Move-Out

The Facts • We produce a lot of waste – The average person generates over 4 pounds of trash per day (about 1. 5 tons per year) – In 2009, Americans produced enough trash to circle the earth 24 times – Americans throw away (not recycle) 25 million plastic bottles every hour • We’ve gotten better about recycling our waste, but have a long way to go – Over 75% of waste is recyclable, but only about 35% is recycled (up from 10% in 1990) • Recycling waste can generate some serious value – On average, it costs $30 per ton to recycle trash compared to $50 per ton to send it to the landfill, and $65 -$75 per ton to incinerate it – The 36 billion aluminum cans in landfills last year had a scrap value of more than $600 million. Over the past twenty years we've thrown away aluminum cans worth over $12 billion on today's market – Every pound of recycled PET (plastic) used in place of virgin material reduces energy use in plastic production by 84% and greenhouse gas emissions by 71% Sources: www. epa. gov, dosomething. org

The Problem • It is nearly impossible to avoid generating waste and still be a functional, happy, and healthy person • The average person is aware of the reduce, reuse, recycle concept, but this awareness often doesn’t translate to action • Some common challenges include: – Convenience – Who has time to do dishes or wash towels when there are disposable ones? Why would I go searching for a recycling bin when there’s a trash bin right here? – Uncertainty about what to throw away vs. recycle vs. compost – Not a top priority What has been a challenge for you?

Waste Reduction & Recycling at HBS is working to make waste reduction & recycling easier for you • HBS has single stream recycling, which means that everything that can be recycled goes into one bin • Waste bins everywhere, including trash and recycling bins inside and outside of every classroom in Aldrich • Composting available at Spangler Grill and performed by Spangler dining staff (waste on conveyor) • Disposable containers and napkins that are recyclable or compostable • Other waste reduction & recycling initiatives: – Used item drives for donation (gently used cosmetics, clothing, office supplies, housewares) – Discount on coffee when you bring your own mug – November 6: Receive $0. 67 off food & drink purchases in celebration of HBS’ 67% recycling rate!

What Goes Where? Plant-based plastics (labeled #7) can’t be recycled!

What Goes Where? Greenware

What Goes Where?

Additional Resources • Your section’s SSA • www. green. harvard. edu