Waste Audits

We have completed 20 waste sorting audits in the last two years. We have audited the trash coming out of the Geology Corner, Math Corner, 340 Bonair, Cubberly, Language Corner, SLAC Building 41, GSB, Forsythe, Y2E2, Law School, Manzanita and SLAC Building 41 (again) and 50, the Stadium Tailgating Area, Reunion Homecoming, Medical School, Geology Corner (again), History Corner, Stern Serra/Zapata, and Mitchell.

Our purpose is to characterize the waste that we are sending to the landfill to see where we need to improve or expand waste reduction, recycling, and composting programs. These audits have allowed us to develop useful and interesting data on the waste stream that will allow us to design a Zero Waste Plan for the campus. Additionally, the audits have served as an educational tool. It has been highly instructive for all participants. Many have stated that they are now much more interested in recycling and composting or that they have a better idea of their individual impact.

To each of these sorting events, we have invited building staff and faculty, Students for a Sustainable Stanford, and other interested staff, faculty, and students. We usually have 10 to 20 volunteers open bags of trash and sort the material into 12 categories that we then measure and weigh. We provide all personal protective equipment (lab coat, gloves, and goggles) and instructions. Be sure to wear closed toe shoes. It is not as gross as you might think and you can always be in charge of the weighing and measuring!

I hope you will consider joining us! Please feel free to invite others. The more sorters the merrier!

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