Stanford sustainability ratings

SUSTAINABLE @ STANFORD WASTE

Your guide to sustainable waste options avaiable at restaurants found at Tressider Union at Stanford University.

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Contents.

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Climate change and sustainable waste Composting Recycling Landfills CoHo Treehouse Panda Express Starbucks The Axe & Palm What you can do

The purpose.

The purpose of this guide is to provide affiliates and visitors of Stanford University with a guide to raise awareness on the sustainable and unsustainable waste options available at various eateries found at Tressider Union.

To achieve this purpose, this guide will provide three ratings for each eatery based on the relative amount of each type of waste material available. A compost rating, a recycling rating, and a landfill rating for each eatery indicates how much of the waste transferred to consumers can be composted, recycled, and end up in a landfill.

The eateries surveyed included Coffee House, Treehouse, Panda Express, Starbucks, and The Axe & Palm.

Overall, with this guide, we hope to effectively provide information to educate and inspire consumers to be more conscious of where their waste goes, the resources that could have been saved depending on where the waste ends up, and how to make decisions to save those resources in the future.

This guide was compiled by Leif Gonzales-Kramer and Mehr Kumar, Stanford ‘20.

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What about climate change?

THE WAY WE TREAT OUR WASTE IS TIED DIRECTLY TO CLIMATE CHANGE. When we recycle bottles, cans, and paper, society saves valuable resources, such as energy, trees, and water. For example, one ton of recycled aluminum cans uses 95% less energy than new cans created from scratch.

One ton of recycled paper saves around 17 trees, valuable tools in carbon sequestration, and uses 50% less water, a scarce resource in many areas (US Energy Information Administration).

Unfortunately, humans produce copious amounts of waste every day, and the problem is projected to increase. In 1900, the global worldwide population threw away ½ million tonnes of waste per day. By 2000, that number jumped to 3 million tonnes/day, and by 2100, the number is expected to grow to 12 million tonnes/day (Juniper).  Now, in 2014, 14.3% of the 136 million tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) produced by the US in landfills was paper, which equals 19,448,000 tons of paper wasted. One ton of recycled paper could save up to 17 trees, which means that if all 19,448,000 tons of paper were recycled, it could have saved up to 330,616,000 trees. Taking the

average natural tree density of the conifer forests of southern California at 200 trees per acre, about the size of Everglades National Park, or 1,653,080 acres.

These trees could have been sequestering vast amounts of carbon and provided valuable habitat for critically endangered species.

Recycling one ton of aluminum cans saves 39.6 barrels of oil from being burned. Now, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, one 42 gallon barrel of oil produces 19 gallons of motor oil (gasoline), and 12 gallons of diesel fuel.

One gallon of gasoline releases 19.64 pounds of CO2 and one gallon of diesel burned releases 22.38 pounds of CO2.

Therefore, one 42 gallon barrel of oil releases 641.72 pounds of CO2. One ton of recycled aluminum cans saves 25,412.112 pounds of CO2 from being released into the atmosphere.

Now 2,360,000 tons were thrown away in 2014, which means 5,997,258,432 pounds of CO2 were released needlessly released into the atmosphere replacing the 2,360,000 tons of aluminum cans for consumption.

In 2014, 19% of landfill mass was taken up by plastics, numbering 25,100,000 tons. One ton of recycled plastic saves 16.3 barrels of oil. One 42-gallon barrel of oil emits 641.72 pounds of CO2. Therefore, one ton of recycled plastic saves 10,460 of CO2 from being emitted. So in total, if all the plastics thrown away were recycled, it would have prevented 262,546,903,600 pounds of CO2 from being emitted into the atmosphere.

The same holds true for food.

The U.S. threw away 38,442,000 tons of food, which required copious amounts of fertilizer and pesticides, which were produced by fossil fuels, and water, which is a scarce resource, especially in California. The food then had to be transported by a fossil fuel power truck, and stored at the right temperature, which might have required energy, not to mention that some foods are responsible to severe deforestation around the world, such as avocados in Mexico, soybeans in Brazil, and palm oil in Sumatra.

What do we save?

RECYCLING ONE TON OF PAPER SAVES AROUND 17 TREES. IN 2012, ENOUGH METHANE WAS REMOVED TO OFFSET THE CO2 EMISSIONS FROM ABOUT 240 MILLION BARRELS OF OIL CONSUMPTION. LANDFILLS GENERATE 15 BILLION KWH OF ELECTRICITY THROUGH METHANE CAPTURE ANNUALLY ON AVERAGE, EACH PERSON IN THE UNITED STATES USES THE PAPER EQUIVALENT OF TWO PINE TREES ANNUALLY. By throwing away food, paper, cans, and plastics, you waste not only that resource, but also everything that had to be done to make the product and to get it to the consumer. Be mindful of what you are buying, and where it will end up. Some progress has been made on reducing waste, but there is still much more that can be done.

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Composting COMPOST IS A NATURAL PROCESS THAT BREAKS DOWN ORGANIC MATERIAL BACK INTO SOIL. There are several different ingredients needed to create compost. There is brown waste, which are leaves, yard trimmings, and woody materials, and green waste, which are grass, manure, and food scraps.

Combining these, water, microorganisms (bacteria, microbes, and fungi) and macroorganisms (like earthworms and insects).

WHAT ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE? Composting is essential to combating climate change.

First of all, composting keeps many unneeded waste from going into the landfill, which often produces methane.

Organic waste is done composting when the compost However, it can also help sestops generating its own heat. quester CO2 from the atmo-

sphere. Researchers have found that compost applied to ranchlands in California have increased production from 4,000 lbs to 10,000lbs of grass. Healthier grasslands can then sequester CO2 from the atmosphere.

WHAT C AN YOU

COMPOST? newspaper

banana peels

grass clippings

tea leaves

egg shells

coffee grounds

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Composting the 21.5 million tons of food waste we generate annually would reduce the same Applying compost to grasslands amount of greenhouse gases as has the potential to increase grass removing two million cars from production from 4,000 pounds the road. of grass per acre to as much as 10,000 pounds per acre. In 2011, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations estimates that about one third of all food produced is wasted.

Did you know?

O U R

R A T I N G

We have provided a composting rating for each of a number of food and drink establishments in Tressider Union. The rating is based on a color gradient: the lightest green representing the lowest rating and the darkest green representing the highest rating.

Our composting rating is based on the following criteria: 1) the relative quantity of compostable materials available.

2) the “friendliness� of the establishment with regard to availabilty of information and posted signs encouraging composting.

HIGHEST

LOWEST

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Recycling RECYCLING CONVERTS WASTE MATERIALS INTO REUSABLE MATERIALS. Recycling, or the process of converting waste materials into reusable materials, is an alternative to the conventional disposal of waste. .

WHAT ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE?

The recycling process begins by centralizing all of the recycling into a centralized location. Here, the recycling is sorted based on what the center is able to process. Then, the recyclables are compacted into bales, and then the bales are generally sent overseas to be remade into usable plastics.

It saves materials and helps cycling one hundred cans saves reduce greenhouse gas enough energy to keep your (GHG) emissions as recy- bedroom light on for two weeks. cling releases less GHGs. Recycling saves enerFor example, recycling one alu- gy and emissions from enminium can saves enough ener- tering the atmosphere. gy to listen to one full album on your mobile device. Further, re-

PL AS TICS: BY THE

NUMBERS Polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE): commonly found in plastic water bottles, soda bottles, etc.

Low Density Polyethylene (HDPE): most commonly found in shopping bags, bread bags, and squeezable bottles.

Polypropylene (PP): used to make ketchup bottles, yogurt containers, meidicine bottles, and syrup bottles.

High Density Polyethylene (HDPE): typically opaque and found in household cleaning product containers, beverage bottles, shampoo bottles, etc.

Polystyrene (PS): Most commonly found in styrofoam; is very difficult to recycle, sometimes releasing potentially harmful chemicals.

Vinyl or PVC: used to make food wrap, detergent bottles and plumbing pipes.

Other: Category for all other plastics which can include highly toxic plastics as well as compostable plastics.

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Enough office and writing paper is thrown away each year to build a 12-foot high wall of paper from Annually, each person in the UnitLos Angeles to New York City. ed States uses the paper equivalent to two pine trees. Recycled Approximately 65,000 to 75,000 paper saves 33% of the total entrees are needed to produce pa- ergy needed for virgin paper. per for the Sunday edition of the New York Times.

Did you know?

O U R

R A N K I N G

We have provided a recycling rating for each of a number of food and drink establishments in Tressider Union. The rating is based on a color gradient: the lightest blue representing the lowest rating and the darkest blue representing the highest rating.

Our recycling rating is based on the following criteria: 1) the relative quantity of recyclable materials available.

2) the relative quantity of “safe” recyclable materials; i.e. plastics numbered 1, 2, 4, and 5.

3) the “friendliness” of the establishment with regard to availabilty of information and posted signs encouraging recycling.

HIGHEST

LOWEST

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Landfills LANDFILLS ARE CONVENTIONAL WASTE DISPOSAL SYSTEMS.

Landfills in the United States are not simply open pits were trash is thrown in like in developing countries, but rather well designed systems. First, a large hole is dug into the ground and lined with plastic and clay to ensure that rainwater runoff (leachate) does not enter the watershed. Trash is then dumped into landfill, and then compressed by machinery. After a desired thickness is achieved, a layer of clay and plastic is applied over the trash, and this is repeated until the landfill reaches its capacity.

WHAT ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE?

When this happens, plastic, clay, and soil are used to seal the top. At the bottom of the landfill, there is a pipe that pumps leachate to the top of the landfill, so it can be disposed of safely, while other pipes capture methane to burn for energy.

gy. In October 2011, there were around 605 methane capture projects at landfills. Those 605 methane capture projects capture enough methane that prevented the equivalent of 240 million barrels of oil from being burned. However in 2009, there were 1,908 Municipal Landfills in the United States Solid Waste Landfills in the US. can be used a sources of ener-

WHAT YOU C AN’T

TRASH batteries

motor oil

unused medication cooking oil

latex paint

electronics

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The United States is the number On average, 10% of consumer 1 trash-producing country in the spending on products goes to world at 1,609 pounds of trash packaging. per person per year.

On average, it costs $30 per ton 5% of the world’s population gen- to recycle trash, $50 to send it to erates 40% of the waste. the landfill, and $65-$75 to incinerate it.

O U R

Did you know?

R A N K I N G

We have provided a landfill rating for each of a number of food and drink establishments in Tressider Union. The rating is based on a color gradient: the lightest green representing the lowest rating and the darkest green representing the highest rating.

Our landfill rating is based on the following criteria: 1) the relative quantity of materials available to be eventually disposed of in a conventional landfill facility.

HIGHEST

LOWEST

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CoHo COMPOSTING The majority of container waste at CoHo consists of compostable materials. All take-out containers, utensils, napkins, and cups are compostable.

CoHo also encourages composting through signs like ones requesting that patrons “please compost your cups” and more.

R E C YC L I N G While the majority of the products they sell are Wprovided in compostable containers, CoHo does sell a number of recyclable products. These include a large open glass case of juice bottles, water bottles, and yogurt containers. While the majority of these plastics are considered “safe” plastics, as they are plastic number 1, yogurt containers, as a plastic number 2, are not safe to recycle.

L A N D F I L L S CoHo provides very few containers that cannot be recycled or composted, leaving little to nothing to reasonably end up in trash cans that feed into landfills.

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COMPOS TABLE CUPS

COMPOS TABLE UTENSILS

RECYCL ABLE BOTTLES

COMPOS TABLE TAKEOUT CONTAINER

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COMPOS TABLE CUPS

RECYCL ABLE CUPS

RECYCL ABLE BOTTLES

Treehouse COMPOSTING The majority of plates, cups, utensils, and napkins at Treehouse are compostable, made of either paper or plant-based materials. Treehouse also advertises the ability to use composting bins well with signs indicating what can and cannot be composted.

R E C YC L I N G While the majority of takeout products provided

by Treehouse are compostable, the eatery sells an enormous amount of recyclable bottles and aluminum cans. Additionally, the restaurant provides small, plastic number 5 condiment containers, while the remainder of the plastics tend to be plastic number 1.

L A N D F I L L S Treehouse had a small number of materials that could not be recycled or composted, including small condiment packets as well as straws.

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Panda Express COMPOSTING Panda Express has a good deal of compostable waste options including large and small carryout boxes, straws, and cup lids. While Panda Express has these products, there is little to no posting indicating that compost containers should be utilized.

R E C YC L I N G Panda Express has a small amount of glass and plastic bottles that can be recycled. These plastics were plastic number 1, or “safe� recyclable plastics.

L A N D F I L L S While Panda Express has a good deal of compostable waste options, it also has landfill-only alternatives including straws and cutlery.

17 C O M P O S TA B L E S T R AWS

COMPOS TABLE CONTAINER

COMPOS TABLES

RECYCL ABLE LID

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COMPOS TABLE CUP

RECYCL ABLE BOTTLES

Starbucks COMPOSTING Starbucks has signs to encourage patrons to compost cups, lids, napkins, stirring rods, and other paper products.

R E C YC L I N G Starbucks has a lot of recyclable waste options including a good deal of plastic beverage bottles, glass beverage bottles, food containers, and cup lids. They do not, however, seem to have an obvious place to recycle materials, simply one that splits composting and landfills.

L A N D F I L L S Starbucks has a variety of waste that can only be disposed of at a landfill including plastic wrapping, chip bags, and straws.

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The Axe & Palm COMPOSTING At The Axe & Palm, all of the takeout containers, lids, straws, cups, utensils, and napkins can be composted. The eatery also has a good deal of postings encouraging the use of compost containers.

R E C YC L I N G Despite the large number of compostables available at The Axe & Palm, the eatery sells a good deal of beverages that come in recyclable containers.

L A N D F I L L S The Axe and Palm has very little non-compostable and non-recyclable waste including chips bags and boba straws.

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NONCOMPOS TABLE S T R AWS

RECYCL ABLE BOTTLES

COMPOS TABLE UTENSILS

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food for thought.

While a number of restaurants may provide recycling, composting, and landfill options in their restaurants. It all comes down to the consumers.

For example, the restaurant Axe and Palm had all recyclable and compostable products. However, their trash bin was half filled with compostable and recyclable products after specifically naming all of the products that could have been recycled.

Another example was at the Frosh Formal. At the dance, there were water coolers with plastic cups on the side for thirsty individuals and recycling/landfill cans on the side. Upon closer inspection, these plastic cups were actually 100% compostable.

However, the landfill bin was overflowing, while the compostable bin contained hardly any cups, which proves an important point. In our society, nations, states, corporations, and local governments can provide consumers with as many opportunities as possible to recycle and compost, but if the consumers do not have the commitment to follow these guidelines, it is pointless. Consumers need to start taking initiative and stop waiting for others to take action, when they should start taking action themselves, now.

Another thing to keep in mind is where waste ends up. For Stanford, trash is sent to the International Disposal Corps., and the Mission Trails Waste Systems. The International Disposal Corps takes Stanford trash 18 miles to the east, to 1601 Dixon Landing Road. Stanford also sends waste to the Mission Trails Transfer Station, located 16 miles away, who’s address is 1313 Memorex Drive, Santa Clara.

Compost and Construction materials are sent to Zanker. Zanker then sends the compost to Gilroy, CA, about an hour south of Stanford University to be processed.

Some of Stanford’s plastics are sent to SIMS and Superlink. Unfortunately, Superlink then sends all of its collected products to Hong Kong and China for processing, thus partially undoing some of the benefits from recycling.

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what you can do.

Each person is responsible for reducing their own impact on the planet. Everyday, people make little decisions in their lives that can have lasting impacts well into the future.

For example, one water bottle can take up to 700 years to break down.

There are many things you can little decisions in your daily life that benefits the environment.

Do not buy single use items, such as plastic bottles. Not only do plastic water bottles not guarantee safe drinking water, but they also require vastly more resources to produce and ship water bottles. Instead, invest in a hefty water bottle that you can use for years, or if you must, buy cartons of water, because they will break down much more quickly than 700 years.

Go to restaurants that only use compostable or recyclable cutlery and cups. Or even better, bring your own. And if you go into a restaurant, you don’t need a lid and straw for your cup if you go sit down.

When you go to grocery stores, don’t use plastic bags, bring your own reusable one.

Compost your food waste, or don’t waste any. This will reduce landfill waste, and save carbon dioxide emissions.

These are just a few options you can partake in that will reduce your waste. There are many more, and we hope that you will feel motivated to decrease your waste as much as possible.

References.

Advancing Sustainable Materials Management. Rep. Washington D.C.: Environmental Protection Agency, 2016. Environmental Protection Agency. Web. 30 Nov. 2016. <https://www.epa.gov/sites/ production/files/2016-11/documents/2014_smmfactsheet_508.pdf>.

Carnegie Mellon University. “CEE Green Team.” Web Accessed April 25, 2015 East Carolina University. “Some Facts on Your Lifestyle and Travel Footprint.” Web Accessed April 25, 2015 Juniper, Tony. What’s Really Happening to Our Planet?: The Facts Simply Explained. NY, NY: DK, 2016. Print.

“Recycling and Energy.” Recycling and Energy - Energy Explained. U.S. Energy Information Administration, 3 Nov. 2016. Web. 30 Nov. 2016.

Risse, L. Mark, and L. Britt Faucette. “UGA Extension.” Food Waste Composting: Institutional and Industrial Application. N.p., 07 Nov. 2016. Web. 04 Dec. 2016. <http://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.cfm?number=B1189>.

Services, USI Web. “Main Navigation.” Solid Waste & Landfill Facts. University of Southern Indiana, n.d. Web. 05 Dec. 2016. <http://www.usi.edu/recycle/solid-waste-landfill-facts>.

“U.S. Energy Information Administration - EIA - Independent Statistics and Analysis.”How Many Gallons of Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Are Made from One Barrel of Oil? U.S. Energy Information Administration, 18 Oct. 2016. Web. 03 Dec. 2016. <http://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.cfm?id=327&t=10>.

“U.S. Energy Information Administration - EIA - Independent Statistics and Analysis.”How Much Carbon Dioxide Is Produced by Burning Gasoline and Diesel Fuel? U.S. Energy Information Administration, 26 Apr. 2016. Web. 03 Dec. 2016. <http://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.cfm?id=307&t=10>.