Earning a LEED certification is a major win for campuses committed to reducing their environmental impact and improving the management of the waste at college campus facilities. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is the gold standard for sustainability. It evaluates buildings and campuses on categories like energy efficiency, water conservation, and—most importantly for our purposes today—waste management. For college and universities, managing waste can be a massive challenge thanks to the wide range of activities and sheer number of people. However, effective waste management or reduction is key to earning LEED certification, and creating a campus that’s eco-friendly and future-focused. In this article, we’ll explore some smart strategies for:

• reducing waste at college campuses.
• how technology is making it easier than ever to go green.
• how these efforts contribute to long-term environmental success.

Why Waste Management At College Campuses Is Crucial for LEED Certification

LEED certification is all about sustainability, and waste reduction at college campuses plays a huge role in achieving it. Encompass Onsite reports that scoring high in the "Materials and Resources" category—which looks at waste policies and solid waste management—can seriously boost your campus’s chances of LEED certification. It’s not just about recycling; it’s about making thoughtful, long-term choices that reduce your overall environmental footprint.

Smart Strategies for Waste Management At Colleges and Universities

1. Choose Greener Materials

One of the first steps in cutting down campus waste is making better choices about what you buy. Look for products made from recycled or biodegradable materials, avoid single-use plastics, and prioritize sustainably sourced materials in any construction or renovations. These small, smart changes can make a big impact over time. This approach can also extend to daily campus purchases, from food supplies to office essentials. Choosing materials that are kind to the environment helps build a culture of sustainability.

2. Boost Your Recycling Game

Successful recycling programs rely on more than recycling cans scattered around campus. Clear signage, convenient bin placement, and ongoing education are all essential. You can also add composting to the mix for organic waste, such as food scraps, to cut down on landfill use while enriching your campus gardens. Don’t forget regular waste audits—they’ll help identify areas for improvement and make sure your recycling and composting programs are running smoothly. One successful initiative to take inspiration from is the Campus Race to Zero Waste, a nationwide competition that had over 1,100 colleges and universities participating in 2023. The program reached nearly 4 million students, faculty, and staff, diverting 29.4 million pounds of waste through recycling, composting, and donations. Many campuses successfully reduced landfill waste by up to 50% through enhanced recycling and reuse initiatives. Schools that actively track and optimize waste management at their campus often see significant waste reduction over time.

3. Fight Food Waste with Composting

Food waste is a massive issue on most campuses, given the volume of meals prepared daily. Instead of letting food scraps and leftovers go to waste, turn them into a resource! Composting organic waste can reduce what ends up in landfills and provide nutrient-rich compost for campus landscaping. Encourage portion control, get creative with leftovers, and educate students and staff on ways to reduce food waste. Zero-waste dining halls and food recovery programs are other great ways to address the issue head-on.

4. Go Digital and Ditch the Paper

Ready for a big win? Ditch the paper. Going digital is one of the most effective ways to reduce waste on campus. The University of Manchester saved thousands of dollars and eliminated the need for 40,000 printed programs by using a Guidebook app for their Open Day events. In 2023, the app had over 38,000 downloads, saving 2-3 hours of staff time each day and contributing to their sustainability efforts. Dawn Corwin, Assistant Director of Student Success at Michigan Technology University, explains just how much waste traditional orientation practices can generate: "In the past, Orientation has printed over 2000 schedule books (they are on glossy paper, look like a magazine, about 20-25 pages each). Once orientation was over, most of the time, the students would just toss them or maybe recycle them, leading to a lot of waste." By moving away from printed materials and using digital platforms, campuses can make a huge dent in their waste output and align with broader sustainability goals.

Engaging the Campus Community In The Management of Waste

Educate and Raise Awareness

It’s one thing to have waste reduction programs in place, and it’s another to get everyone on board. The reality is that successful waste management at college campuses requires full participation from students, faculty, and staff. Therefore, raising awareness through educational campaigns is key. Host sustainability fairs, put up posters, run workshops, and blast social media with fun facts about waste reduction. The more people know, the more likely they are to participate.

Offer Incentives for Participation

Everyone loves a good incentive, and waste reduction programs are no exception. Create rewards for students and staff who recycle the most, cut down on paper use, or get involved in composting. Whether it's a gift card, public recognition, or a shout-out in the campus newsletter, rewards can inspire people to take action and help build a community dedicated to sustainability.

How Mobile Apps Are Revolutionizing Waste Reduction

Track Your Waste and Spot Opportunities

Mobile apps are game-changers when it comes to tracking and managing waste. They can gather data on the types and amounts of waste produced around campus, helping you improve recycling programs and find areas for improvement.

Plan Zero-Waste Events Like a Pro

Planning events without all the waste is totally possible with the right app. Create an event app on a platform like Guidebook’s, to create digital schedules, tickets, and real-time updates, drastically reducing the need for paper. You can also work with vendors and attendees to make sure all event materials are eco-friendly.

Keep Students Engaged and Motivated

Want to make sustainability fun? Guidebook’s Leaderboard feature lets you add a little friendly competition to the mix. Students can earn points for eco-friendly actions like recycling or taking part in sustainability challenges, all while climbing the ranks and competing with their peers. You can award points for things like attending green events or completing feedback forms, turning waste reduction into a game that boosts engagement and builds a sense of community.

Real-World Success Stories

Many colleges are already leading the charge in waste reduction as part of their journey towards LEED certification. The University of California, Irvine (UCI), for example, has rolled out a comprehensive zero-waste program that includes recycling, reusing, and composting strategies. Their efforts have significantly cut down on waste and helped them earn LEED certification. At Michigan Technology University, the shift to Guidebook’s platform is a key step in their green journey. Dawn Corwin shared that this digital transition is just the beginning of their broader sustainability efforts. They’re well on their way to meeting their LEED goals and creating a greener, more efficient campus: "Our university has a mission to be more green by 2030, which in turn leads to the LEED certification. Our goal for Orientation is to be all digital by 2025. Guidebook is providing us that platform to do that. It will also give our incoming students the ability tocreate their schedules. All of the student affairs departments have been tasked with ‘how can we move towards programming that is green’ so we are looking at the items we give out for orientation and how to communicate with our incoming students. Hopefully Guidebook will start to be used in other areas of student affairs once we roll it out moving forward.”

Conclusion

Cutting down on waste is a must for any campus aiming for LEED certification. From smart procurement and robust recycling programs to composting and paperless strategies, the right mix of tactics can make a big difference. Engaging the entire campus community and using mobile apps to track and manage waste will amplify these efforts. By embracing technology and fostering a culture of sustainability, colleges can reach their environmental goals and make meaningful strides toward a greener future. Want to join the movement? Explore howGuidebook can help you take the next step and contact our team for a demo today.