Despite the good news, there’s always room for improvement in Brock’s waste reduction, says Domenic Manicci, director of Custodial Services.

Brock’s Annual Waste Audit Report was unveiled at a recent bi-monthly Sustainability Co-ordinating Committee meeting. The audit, conducted last October by Unwin and Associates Environmental Consulting, found that Brock had a 78.91 per cent diversion rate. That’s well above the provincial Ministry of Environment guideline of 60 per cent.

But Brock strives to improve, Maniccia said.

“The success at Brock can be contributed to the hard work of staff and faculty; this is a very good result but we can do better,” he said. “We have to further identify waste generation, then plan further separation and reduction initiatives.”

Some basic findings of the audit:

• Brock generated approximately 1,691,432.61 kilograms (kgs) of solid non-hazardous waste on an annual basis. Of this, 868,268.86 kgs were recycled, 448,057.44 kgs were composted and 18,417.81 kgs were reused. A total of 356,688.5 kgs were sent to landfill, translating into a diversion rate of 78.91 per cent.
• Of the materials still being sent to landfill, organic waste was the largest component of the overall waste stream at 50.09 per cent. Plastic film was next at 8.04 per cent.
• The Schmon Tower Complex was the largest generator of waste at about 101,600.33 kgs of waste per year. The next largest contributor to the waste stream was the Mackenzie Chown complex, producing almost 59,875.12 kgs of solid non-hazardous waste annually. These areas combined generate over 45 per cent of the waste produced at Brock each year.
• Overall diversion rates for Brock increased from 2009 (75 per cent) to 2010 (78.91 per cent). It is largely attributed to the reopening of the Tower Market Place and the increase in organics diversion and recycling from this location.

Among the overall recommendations:

• Consideration might be given to the utilization of a trash compactor in high generation areas e.g. Tower complex and possibly the Walker complex.
• A small organics bin at Alphie’s Trough, which produces a significant amount of organic waste.
• The cardboard receptacle located at the DeCew cafeteria frequently exceeds capacity. Consideration should be given to increasing the size of the receptacle here or increasing the frequency of collection.
• Small amounts of hazardous waste were found in solid waste, including ink cartridges and batteries. It is recommended these materials be disposed with other hazardous waste generated at Brock.
• It is strongly recommended Brock continue to ensure an annual solid waste audit and a Waste Reduction Workplan. Completion of these activities ensures compliance with provincial regulations.

For the complete Annual Waste Audit Report, see brocku.ca/webfm_send/254

For a Waste Diversion Resources Quick Reference Guide, see brocku.ca/webfm_send/15710