Sustainability Operations
Arizona State University
Fiscal Year 2018 Review
Fifth in Sierra Magazine Cool Schools rankings Rated Gold in AASHE STARS
As the prototype for a New American University, Arizona State University continues to find innovative ways to serve not only as a living laboratory but a leading example of sustainability for broader society. ASU is committed to reimagining operational practices across the university, including the coordination of initiatives involving many departments and community partners, to achieve a more sustainable and resilient future. “We educate the next generation of leaders who will take this sustainability knowledge, and every decision they make will be informed by this knowledge,” said Morgan R. Olsen, ASU executive vice president, treasurer and chief financial officer. “We strive to model what we would like to see in the world.” This annual review summarizes ASU’s continued efforts in fiscal year 2018, from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018, to achieve its operational sustainability goals: circular resource system; climate positive; collaborative action; community success; food reconnection; optimized water; personal action; and resilience and regeneration.
Circular resource system A circular resource system achieves zero waste by adapting goods consumed to maximize their use before sending them back into the economy for the most productive use possible. ASU continues to make significant progress in landfill waste reduction. ASU also had a 14% aversion rate over its FY 2008 baseline.
University diversion rate in tons FY 2018
Diverted 3,949.3 43.2%
Landfilled 5,200.5 56.8%
In FY 2018, the ASU diversion rate was 43.2%, up 5.2% from the FY 2017 diversion rate of 41.1%.
ASU Waste Diversion Rate and On-campus Students (FTE) FY 2007 – FY 2018 50%
90,000
Diversion Rate
70,000 60,000
30%
50,000 40,000
20%
30,000 20,000
10%
10,000
0%
0 FY 2007 FY 2008 FY 2009 FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018
Total Diversion Rate
1
On-campus Students
On-Campus Students
80,000
40%
Circular resource system ASU Waste Composition FY 2007 – FY 2018 12,000 10,000
Tons
8,000 6,000 4,000 2,000 0 FY 2007 FY 2008 FY 2009 FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018
Diverted
Landfill
Milestones:
• Characterize: ASU conducted a large-scale waste characterization in April 2018. The characterization examined trash and recycling streams at the four Phoenix-metro campuses. The waste characterization results provided ASU with a better understanding of how to increase diversion and aversion by examining what recyclables still end up in the trash, what items need to be targeted for reduction, and where the Zero Waste department needs to expand and improve programming. Donate: Ditch the Dumpster donations were at an all-time high with an institutional total of 58,820 pounds of donations. Monetary donations to Tempe Dollars for Scholars totaled $5,467.90, on behalf of Republic Services, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona and Goodwill. Engage: ASU hosted the Points of Intervention Tour on April 18, 2018, in partnership with the Post Landfill Action Network. The tour was designed to raise awareness about circular resources and highlight the various on campus and community intervention points students, faculty and staff could join. The event recorded more than 2,500 individual interactions among the ASU community and the 31 organizations present to learn how to reduce, reuse and recycle on campus. Play: Through the Zero Waste Ambassador program, groups assisted the Zero Waste department with successfully recycling 13,181 pounds of materials and collecting 9,764 pounds of organics material from 10 sporting events throughout the 2017–18 Sun Devil Athletics season. With the help of 11 Zero Waste Ambassador groups, ASU achieved an overall 65% diversion rate for Green Games, which highlight the university’s sustainability commitment during athletic events. Serve: On an average week, the Zero Waste department completed 254 requests at 117 individual buildings across four campuses, or more than 1,000 requests a month. Volunteer: Seventy-four individuals participated in 27 volunteer opportunities focused on sorting Blue Bag material or engagement at sporting events completing 174 hours of service.
•
•
58,820 pounds All-time high
Ditch the Dumpster donations
Students participate in a Blue Bag material sort.
•
• •
2
Climate positive Between the fiscal years 2007 and 2018, ASU reduced its net greenhouse gas emissions, GHG, by 28.2%. During the same period, ASU increased total building gross square footage by 40.2% and its on-campus population by 30.5%. The net effect is a reduction in GHG emissions per gross square foot by 48.8% and per on-campus student by 44.9%. ASU uses a portfolio approach to address GHG reductions since emissions are generated by many sources.
Milestones:
• Installed 90 on-site solar arrays on ASU campuses
Percent Change in Total Building Space, On-Campus Students and Total Net Emissions
since 2004.
• Instituted a price on carbon for university air
•
•
40% 30% 20% Percemt Chamge
travel that will help mitigate carbon emissions equivalent to the amount emitted by university air travel, which is approximately 50,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, MTCDE, annually. Launched the ASU Carbon Project to mitigate carbon emissions through carbon offsets that connect to the local community while supporting academics and research. ||In FY 2018, 343 trees were planted throughout the Valley of the Sun to help reduce urban heat island, create shade and sequester carbon. Produced 65,000 megawatts of solar power at the Red Rock solar installation, enough for 3,361 Arizona homes for a year. Returned over $2.2 million in utility savings through investments in campus energy efficiency made through the Sustainability Initiatives Revolving Fund, SIRF. Additionally, $6.2 million was invested in new energy and water-efficiency projects.
FY 2007 – FY 2018 50%
10% 0%
Total building space
On-campus students
-10% -20% -30% -40%
•
A tree planting event at the Tempe Center for the Arts.
3
Total net emissions MTCDE
ASU Net Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Building Space FY 2007 – FY 2018 30 25
20
20 15 15 10 10 5
5
Gross Square Footage (in millions)
Net GHG (MTCDE)/1,000 GSF
25
0
0 FY 2007 FY 2008 FY 2009 FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018
Net GHG / 1000 GSF
Total Building Space GSF
In 2018, ASU completed Biodesign C a five-story, 188,000-square-foot research facility; building highlights include: • Designed to meet LEED Platinum certification. • Exterior copper screen provides shade and saves energy. • Vibration-proof flooring.
4
Collaborative action To obtain the full benefits of sustainability, it must be embedded into the fabric of ASU’s daily activities. ASU embeds sustainability into departments’ daily activities, decisions, goals, policies and procedures. Collaborative action is about walking the talk, together. The Student Pavilion targets net-zero energy and zero waste and is one example of ASU’s interdisciplinary commitment. Many departments and external partners worked closely to plan and construct a building that facilitates sustainable operations. The groups also collaborated to design and implement student-staff procedures and training programs to operate the building, so it serves as a teaching tool and catalyst for sustainable behavior among the ASU community. Additional collaborative action examples include:
Milestones:
• Certified 14 varsity teams through the ASU Sustainability Certification Program. Sun Devil Athletics also hosted a Green Game for every varsity sport to create a culture of zero waste and sustainability among fans. Converted to 100% recycled content paper and double-sided printing as the default at Canon Print Anywhere locations across all campuses. Hosted the first-ever Day without Cars event with the Staff Council sustainability committee, which promoted the use of alternative modes of transportation to over 5,000 ASU employees through in-person and online engagement. Promoted the rollout of DocuSign electronic document routing and signing software via the University Technology Office to reduce printing and improve operational efficiency.
• • •
Students support sustainability at ASU Athletics Green Games.
5
ASU faculty, staff and students commit to taking an alternate mode of transit to an ASU campus during Earth Month. ASU Paper Use FY 2007 – FY 2018 1,400
Pounds (in thousands)
1,200 1,000 800 600 400 200 0 FY 2007
FY 2008
FY 2009
FY 2010
0% Recycled
FY 2011
FY 2012
10% Recycled
FY 2013
FY 2014
FY 2015
30% Recycled
FY 2016
FY 2017
FY 2018
100% Recycled
ASU Paper Use FY 2007 – FY 2018
100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0 FY 2007
FY 2008
FY 2009
FY 2010
0% Recycled
FY 2011
FY 2012
10% Recycled
FY 2013
FY 2014
30% Recycled
FY 2015
FY 2016
100% Recycled
FY 2017
FY 2018
6
Community success ASU measures its success not by whom it excludes but by whom it includes and how they succeed. Community success examples include:
• ASU achieved designation as the largest fair trade university in the nation, demonstrating a commitment to a sustainable supply chain and human welfare globally. ASU’s in-state student population demographics reflect the economic diversity of Arizona’s population. During FY 2018, ASU spent $144,610,701 with small businesses. A combined total of 36,706 small businesses were registered as suppliers, and ASU contracted with, and purchased goods and services from 28%, or 10,319. A total of 29,085 Arizona-defined small businesses were registered as suppliers, and ASU purchased goods and services from 27%, or 7,819. ||In FY 2018, ASU’s total spend across all business classifications was $856,217,099.
• •
ASU now the largest Fair Trade Campaign committed university in the U.S. Thanks to ASU Campus Stores, Follett ASU Fair Trade Campaign student organizers Auxiliary Business Services Morgan R. Olsen’s office Office of General Counsel President Michael Crow’s office Sun Devil Dining, Aramark University Business Services University Sustainability Practices More info at links.asu.edu/fair-trade .
• • • • • • • • •
Campaign progress March 2018: Build Your Team
Completed
Reach out to Campus Outlets
Completed
Source Fair Trade at Events and Meetings
Completed
Commit to Fair Trade Education
Completed
Pass Fair Trade Resolution
Completed
President Michael Crow accepts the fair trade certificate on behalf of ASU for its commitment to fair trade.
7
Food reconnection Spanning carbon emissions, circular resources, health, resilience, water and wellbeing, ASU works to empower its students, faculty and staff to eat as healthy, local, organic and “low on the food chain” as possible. ASU also aims to reduce waste and close food loops to transform its food system to create a positive impact on the environment. Starting in Sun Devil Dining and incorporated across the university, ASU offers a wide array of tools and programs to achieve a sustainable food system. The Polytechnic Community Garden provides a hands-on learning opportunity for students, faculty and staff to engage in growing local organic produce on campus. ASU supports local food banks and provides a weekly farm stand, gardening classes and volunteer work days.
Milestones:
• Held 20 farm stands since 2014 and engaged 1,744 students, staff and faculty. • Installed 10 Tower Gardens on the Engrained patio for food systems engagement;
202 pounds of organic produce was grown and harvested for students and staff. Logged 1,873 volunteer hours at the community garden and donated 757 pounds of organic produce to local food banks. Offered 22 Community Service Work Days in the garden to internal and external partners such as Coca-Cola, and Stryker, as well as ASU Day of Service, and Devils in Disguise. Reduced pre-consumer food waste by 45% using the LeanPath Food Waste Tracking System at Sun Devil Dining locations.
• • •
During FY 2018, Changemaker Central @ ASU, in partnership with Borderlands Produce Rescue, distributed rescued produce during Produce on Wheels With Out Waste – P.O.W.W.O.W. on the ASU Polytechnic, Tempe and West campuses. This partnership provides healthy, affordable food to ASU students, faculty, staff, and the surrounding community while diverting food waste from the landfill. During FY 2018, the ASU Borderlands partnership has: Connected 18,836+ people to fresh produce. Diverted 333,503+ pounds of food from landfill. Engaged 554 volunteers in extra-curricular learning around food deserts, food waste, and food insecurity. Generated $180,306+ of community stimulus. Hosted 21 P.O.W.W.O.W. events across three locations. Supplemented 154,552+ meals.
• • • • • •
Polytechnic Community Garden Farm Stand and produce grown at the garden.
8
Optimized water Optimizing ASU’s water use involves applying a systems approach to use the right quantity and quality of water for the right purpose at the right time. Access to clean water is an increasingly critical global and Southwest regional issue. ASU conducts research, education and engagement in the water arena and is working to optimize water use in operations.
Milestones:
• Completion of a plumbing retrofit at the Tempe Sun Devil Fitness Complex.
This student-driven pilot retrofitted 31 toilets and 18 urinals in the older section of the complex. Students were involved in each step of the process from concept development to construction oversight and the project’s financial evaluation. Both Climatec and Sloan additionally embraced this student-driven project and donated all the labor and plumbing materials, totaling more than $37,000 in donations. ||From this pilot, a larger project emerged to address over 60 buildings with high-water-use plumbing fixtures. Students participated in an assessment that inventoried and evaluated more than 2,000 fixtures for retrofit. A cost-benefit analysis was completed and indicated the financial metrics required for ASU Sustainability Initiatives Revolving Fund financing would be met. Created and approved a road map for water-use improvements based on an inventory and assessment of water use on the ASU Downtown Phoenix, Polytechnic, Tempe and West campuses. The road map will direct water savings initiatives for the next four years in meeting the goal to conserve 15% of ASU’s water demand.
•
ASU Wastewater and On-campus Students (FTE) FY 2007 – FY 2018 90,000 80,000
1,000
70,000 60,000
800
50,000
600
40,000 30,000
400
On-Campus Students
Wastewater (Gallons in millions)
1,200
20,000 200 0
10,000 0 FY 2007 FY 2008 FY 2009 FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018
Total Wastewater Gallons
On-campus Students
ASU Total Water Use and On-campus Students (FTE) 90,000
1,600
80,000
1,400
70,000
1,200
60,000
1,000
50,000
800
40,000
600
30,000
400
20,000
200
10,000
0
9
0 FY 2007 FY 2008 FY 2009 FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018
Total Water Gallons
On-campus Students
On-Campus Students
Water Use (Gallons in millions)
FY 2007 – FY 2018 1,800
Personal action Personal action involves ASU students, faculty, staff and community members’ engagement in individual behavior that supports sustainability goals on campus and in their personal lives.
Milestones:
• Assisted over 230 Green Devil Network staff in championing sustainability on
multiple campuses. Embraced a culture of sustainability with 76% of students, faculty and staff stating at least moderate interest in sustainability. Launched the voluntary Seeds of Sustainability literacy program in November 2016. Since then, 5,045 Sun Devils registered, and 3,517 completed the training. Reduced natural gas use in the Physical Sciences buildings by 54% compared to FY 2014 by replacing 54 natural gas Bunsen burners with nine electric coffee pots, with no measurable increase in building electricity use. Supported the efforts of 21 active sustainability-themed student organizations and more than 100 sustainability-related student organizations.
•
• • •
Changemaker Central students educate visitors on sustainability and ways to make a difference in the community at the State of Sustainability Summit. 10
Resilience and Regeneration ASU will adapt, sustain, thrive and regenerate its environment and communities in the face of climate change.
Milestones:
• Completed the future visioning exercise and climate
resilience assessments for the ASU West campus as part of the Second Nature Climate Commitment. Workshops have commenced to complete future visioning and resilience assessments for the ASU Downtown Phoenix, Polytechnic and Tempe campuses. Supported six student-produced documentaries focused on food insecurity and water resource issues central to Arizona. Students of Peter Byck, ASU School of Sustainability professor of practice, created the documentaries, which were supported by a Sustainability Initiatives Revolving Fund grant. The films debuted at both the ASU Downtown Phoenix and Tempe campuses with more than 200 students, faculty, staff, and community members participating in the issues and the review of the process used in developing a documentary. The SIRF grant allowed students to travel around Arizona to conduct interviews, shoot footage, use drones and other specialized equipment, as well as sponsor the debut.
•
Visit cfo.asu.edu/sustainability for more information.
Staff discussing recycling at the ASU West campus staff barbecue.
Arizona State University Sustainability Operations P.O. Box 877505 Tempe, AZ 85287-7505 ©2019 Arizona Board of Regents for Arizona State University. Data in this document reflect reporting through June 30, 2018.
11
Photography by: Mick Dalrymple, Deanna Dent, Charlie Leight and Vanessa Medina.