Circular resource system

A circular-resource system achieves zero waste by adapting the goods brought onto campus to maximize their use before returning them to the economy for the most productive use possible.

Overall waste landfill and diverted in FY 2022 is up 31.3% from FY 2021. ASU’s diversion rate was 42.7%, a slight decrease from last fiscal year. ASU’s aversion rate dropped from 35% to 19% over its FY 2008 baseline.

Even though diversion efforts made modest gains in FY 2022, landfill on the Downtown Phoenix campus jumped 13.2%, and green waste fell by 7.1%, reducing the university’s overall diversion rate. However, ASU showed gains from key streams, including mixed recycling, donations, food waste, inert materials, pallets, fats, oils and greases. These gains underscore the crucial role of centralizing operations and building community partnerships to increase overall diversion.

The FY 2022 aversion rate returned to pre-pandemic levels, as in-person activities have returned to typical levels. However, some in-person activities transitioned to a digital format with tools like Zoom and other technology. For example, the New Student Orientation Experience is now entirely online, which eliminates the meals provided for thousands of visitors. With the transition of some in-person activities to digital formats while returning to pre-pandemic waste levels, we believe more engagement is taking place with students, faculty, staff and the community.

Overall landfill and diverted waste in FY 2022 is up

31.3% from FY 2021.

University diversion rate in tons

FY

ASU waste diversion rate and on-campus students (FTE) FY

ASU waste composition

Milestones:

• Expand: The Zero Waste department expanded the office kitchenette compost program in FY 2022 to university-wide deployment. Of the 395 kitchenettes mapped, 257 were identified as program candidates. More than 80 employees completed the Office Compost training and requested 83 bins within the first six months — an initial adoption rate of 3.2%. This has resulted in diverting an average of 75 pounds per week.

• Donate: Residential Hall students donated 29.9 tons back to the community during our annual donation program.

• Efficiency: Front-load container service capacity monitoring improved data accuracy, reduced service level costs and increased landfill service efficiency by 9.8% and recycling service by 19.5%. Students volunteer at