GGAA 2014 - Carbon Reduction - University of the Sunshine Coast - Winner

Total Waste Management

USC has introduced a new waste management process to all buildings on the Sippy Downs campus resulting in an average of 75 percent reduction in general waste. This means that most of what was once included in general waste is now going into paper or recyclables with all compostable waste now going into an onsite compost system called OSCA. Benefits include:

• cost savings in general waste removal
• reducing tco2

Top 3 learnings:

• A good communication plan and stakeholder engagement is vital and change management and cultural change is an integral part of the process.
• Have clearly defined and achievable goals, creative and strategic thinking team members and support and endorsement from management.
• Signage and consistency with visual communication is vital as it is easy for people to get confused when getting familiar with the new process.

What it means to win: “Recognition by our peers as a sustainability leader and acknowledgment of the efforts by those involved with implementing our integrated waste management strategies. Receiving this award would build morale and a sense of achievement within the institution and the motivation to keep moving forward with the sustainability agenda at USC”.
Paul Camilleri, Project and Operations Manager

What the judges said: The judges were impressed with this initiative as it quantified significant benefits, with evidence of carbon reduction metrics. A 75% reduction in waste to landfill is very impressive, with commendable rates in increased recycling. It is also a simple, low cost programme to implement, and would be very easy to replicate across other campuses and the sector.