Ohio State has received national recognition for its sustainability and zero waste employee training after taking first place in the education and awareness category of the 2020 Case Study Competition of Campus Race to Zero Waste.
Formerly known as RecycleMania, the competition recognizes best practices of universities from the United States and Canada in categories of waste minimization and food waste reduction as well as education and awareness. Efforts led by Facilities Operations and Development’s (FOD) Energy Services and Sustainability team propelled the project to victory.
In the project, 247 operations staff, including custodians, maintenance workers, housekeepers and landscapers, were given zero waste training and received certifications in sustainability and zero waste practices.
“All of the credit goes to the staff for their hard work, cooperation and support," said Molly Kathleen, zero waste coordinator. “Their efforts made significant progress toward Ohio State’s sustainability goal and helped Ohio State reach a record diversion rate of 35.8% in FY20.”
To make the certification as specific and goal-oriented as possible, the requirements focused on ensuring the participants were knowledgeable and well-equipped for their work in four areas: understanding the university’s definition of “zero waste”, learning Ohio State’s resource stewardship goals, brainstorming methods of change that can be easily implemented on a small level and focusing on correct procedures for critical sustainable practices like recycling and composting.
Training sessions incorporated photos, Ohio State waste reduction statistics, quizzes, videos demonstrating the waste reduction programs and operations on campus, and other information about how to properly use and maintain the indoor and outdoor systems designed to capture materials that will be diverted from landfills. The program also focused on promoting teamwork and encouraged its participants to not only educate themselves but also support the education of their peers as well.
Campus Race to Zero also engages stakeholders about groundbreaking ideas in the field of sustainability. Each university showcases its best work, creating inspiration for others to consider for their respective campuses.
More information about the Campus Race to Zero Waste competition and case studies.
Aurora Ellis is a student communications assistant at the Sustainability Institute.