Project Clearinghouse

Make SVC Green

Sustainability Problem and Proposed Solution: 

We are hoping to achieve and maintain the UC Office of the President Sustainable Practices Policy goal of Zero Waste by reducing recycling contamination and finding an effective way to deal with green waste. Waste and recycling cross contamination and lack of education on the subject is an issue not only at UCSC, but worldwide. We plan on doing this by engaging key departments and campus stakeholders to identify issues and launch a campaign and system to reduce the contamination rates.

Jump to: Contact | Project Description | Funding Sources | Metrics for Success | Results
Project Categories: 
Buildings & Facilities
Awareness, Education & Engagement
Waste & Recycling
Project Status: 
In Progress
Project End Date: 
06/11/2020
Campus Organization: 
Sustainability Office
Affiliated Department, Unit or College: 
RES
Project Location: 
Off campus

Scotts Valley Center (SVC)


Stakeholder Contacts: 
Contact NameEmail AddressContact NumberDepartment
Nikki Vamosi
nvamosi@ucsc.edu
831-509-1840
RES
Veronica Pena
vepena@ucsc.edu
831-459-1844
RES
Funding Sources: 
20193-724450

Project Description: 

Research phase: (1)research cross contamination at SVC, (2)research best design for recycling/trash/compost bins, (3)research alternative "green waste" collection methods, (4)Research Scotts Valley policies regarding waste/recycling, (4)research sustainability goals of other tenants at ETC. Report Phase: (1)draft report and power point presentation on current state and future goals. Report Phase: Draft report and presentation including: summary of current affairs, the current process, data & contamination rates,analysis of data, shareholder feedback, summary of ideas on how to reduce contamination, proposal on how to better track and reduce rates, proposal for signage and education, budget, etc.

Metrics for Success: 

Contamination Rates
Amount of trash/green waste/recyclables
Level of education among staff/employees and students
Success of new layout of "waste and recycling" centers

Next Steps: 
Fellow needs to be on-boarded Accurate and successful data collection Data Analysis Summary of Findings Action Plan moving forward Draft Report Draft Power Point presentation Present to employees, staff and students
Result Categories: 
Behavior Change
Education/Outreach
Data Collection & Analysis
Results: 

If successful, the end of our project will yield lower cross contamination rates and our employees and students at SVC will better educated on recycling and sustainability issues. Also, through this process our "waste and recycling" centers and signage (in every kitchen and common area at SVC) will be reconfigured.