The University of Georgia Costa Rica 2014-2015 Sustainability Report UGA Costa Rica 2014 - 2015 Sustainability Report | Page 38
Solid Waste
28.64
From May 2013 to May 2015,
UGA Costa Rica produced an
average of 28.64 bags of waste
per month.
38
University of Georgia Costa Rica
50
32.6
24.5
20
33.8
30
44.6
40
26.5
Waste sent to the landfill is quantified in terms of
the number of bags of waste produced, with each
averaging 12 kilograms in weight. The campus has set
a goal of producing no more than 30 bags of waste
per month. From May 2013 to May 2015, UGA Costa
Rica produced an average of 28.64 bags of waste per
month, meeting the goal. However, this is not the only
indication of the success of limiting waste production
Bednights per bag of waste produced
37.8
Reusing and repurposing materials is an easy method
of preserving precious landfill space, reducing
demand for natural resources, and reducing energy
consumed for manufacturing new products. UGACR
reuses materials in a number of ways. Old sheets and
towels are repurposed into rags for the housekeeping
department. Containers of food purchased for the
kitchen are reused for storage. Salvageable material
from old structures is saved and reused in new
construction or remodeling. Uneaten food at the
dining hall is reused as food for the pigs at the stables
or compost in the organic farm.
on campus. Relating occupancy levels on campus with
waste generation reveals an important trend. In 2013,
a new faculty residence was constructed on campus,
skewing the amount of waste produced. However,
since then, UGA Costa Rica has been able to steadily
increase the number of bednights on campus for every
bag of waste produced. This is an important metric,
as it provides an equalizing factor among varying
occupancy rates on campus from year to year.
Bednights per 12 kg Bags of
Waste Produced
The nearest landfill is located in Puntarenas,
37 miles, or 60 kilometers, from campus,
meaning special care must be devoted to waste
generation on campus.
10
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2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015