UW-SO-01: Developing a new methodology for waste audits at the University of Waterloo

Brief description of the organization

University of Waterloo is a public research university located in Waterloo, Ontario. Today, with more than 42,000+ students attending annually, Waterloo is #1 in Canada for experiential learning and employer-student connections. With a global network spanning more than 238,000 alumni in 153 countries, Waterloo attracts world-class scholars including a Nobel Laureate, leads in providing work-integrated learning opportunities with 7,500+ active co-op employers and fosters an entrepreneurial spirit that’s created 5,000+ jobs through Velocity alone, Canada’s most productive startup incubator by private investment.

Problem area

In 2017, the University of Waterloo committed to diverting 60% of its waste by 2025 and 90% of its waste by 2035, thereby achieving a zero-waste designation. This goal also furthers the University’s work on UN Sustainable Development Goal 12: responsible consumption and production. The Shift Zero action plan outlines the need for major shifts in campus operations and user behaviour if we are to achieve this objective. Yet despite updated and enhanced waste sorting receptacles, reuse programs, and engagement campaigns, the diversion rate in 2024 was 29.3%.

Waste audits are conducted annually in accordance with the requirements of Part ‘X’ of Ontario Regulation 102/94, which requires the owner or operator of an educational institution with more than 350 students enroled per year, to conduct an annual waste audit and prepare and implement a waste reduction work plan. The audit consists of collecting waste from 10 buildings over a 24-hour period. The waste is sorted, and the results are disseminated in a report. The challenge with these waste audits is that it cannot identify longer-term trends or opportunities for diversion at scale.

Main objectives

  • Develop a new methodology in conducting waste audits that provides results that can be used to identify opportunities for improved waste diversion rates
  • Propose a marketing strategy to disseminate the results

Scope of work

  1. Conduct a literature review on waste audits in multipurpose buildings
  2. Research best practices for waste audits from other higher education institutions
  3. Propose a new methodology for waste audits at Waterloo with recommendations on how to  use the results towards becoming a zero-waste campus including:
    How many buildings to conduct the audit for, and which buildings, ensuring a variety of buildings are captured
    How long to conduct the audit for
    How to sort the waste
    What calculations should be performed based on audited raw data
    What next steps should be taken once the audit is complete
  4. Identify a marketing strategy to disseminate the results, and how to move towards Waterloo’s goals

Deliverables

Report

  • Final Report detailing the newly proposed methodology for waste audits and the background context

Presentation

  • Presentation
  • Poster

Team Meeting Frequency

Monthly

Skills and training required

Skills and training that are required include research and analytical skills, presentation skills, and marketing skills.

Resources required

  • The Sustainability Office can provide past audit reports and diversion information.
  • The Sustainability Office can help the students get information from other departments on campus, if needed.
Additional Information
Faculty: