Zero waste by 2050: Reduce consumption, and increase recycling, reuse, and composting
Northeastern is committed to responsible and sustainable materials management, including innovative approaches that decrease consumption, promote reuse, and elevate recycling efforts. In 2022, the university diverted 48% of the waste from the Boston campus and is rolling out new programs like textile recycling and composting in our residential halls to further reduce waste. You can read more about our current waste reduction programs here.
CJAP Actions
Eliminate single-use plastics in our dining program
DESCRIPTION
Implement reusable to-go containers, refillable beverage dispensers, and other interventions aimed at reducing single-use plastic waste and other disposable food-service products at Curry Student Center. Expand programs to other dining facilities across the campus.
NORTHEASTERN LEAD
NU Dining
ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNER
NU Climate Jusice and Sustainability Hub
OTHER PARTNERS
NU PREF (Materials and Recycling)
Expand composting
DESCRIPTION
Expand access to composting across campus including drop-off location. Establish an efficient and effective event composting program.
NORTHEASTERN LEAD
Planning, Real Esate, and Facilities (Materials and Recycling)
ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNER
NU Climate Justice and Sustainability Hub
OTHER PARTNERS
N/A
Develop a Zero Waste Plan
DESCRIPTION
Establish sustainable resource management practices and include goals and actionable items focused on reducing waste generation, diverting material from disposal to highest and best uses, procurement strategies, and promoting behavioral change through education and engagement.
NORTHEASTERN LEAD
Planning, Real Estate, and Facilities (Materials and Recycling)
ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNER
NU Climate Justice & Sustainability Hub
OTHER PARTNERS
N/A
Improve waste tracking and metrics
DESCRIPTION
Expand collection and tracking of data and other program metrics to identify opportunities for change and to measure progress. In particular, track the transportation emissions related to our waste hauling services so it can be a part of our greenhouse gas emissions accounting, as well as part of our understanding of how we are impacting the local air quality.
NORTHEASTERN LEAD
Planning, Real Estate, and Facilities (Materials and Recycling)
ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNER
NU Climate Justice & Sustainability Hub
OTHER PARTNERS
N/A
Outreach and education
DESCRIPTION
Expand outreach and communication to improve existing programs and infrastructure.
NORTHEASTERN LEAD
Planning, Real Estate, and Facilities (Materials and Recycling)
ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNER
NU Climate Justice & Sustainability Hub
OTHER PARTNERS
N/A
Community Spotlight
The Reuse Center at Boston Building Resources is a charitable nonprofit that accepts donations of new and gently used materials for resale. It opened its doors in 1993 and was known until 2011 as the Building Materials Resource Center. Anyone can shop at the Reuse Center.
Implementation Tracker
Explore all the goals, strategies, and actions to see how we are working towards impact via this interactive table.
plan in action
Student donations drive sustainability on Northeastern’s Oakland campus
A Second Life for Gently Used Appliances
A Second Life for Gently Used AppliancesBy Julia Laquerre with the Climate Justice and Sustainability Hub When students entered their freshly renovated West Village G residence hall, they were welcomed by brand new state-of-the-art appliances and freshly...
Students and Faculty learn about Northeastern Recycling Practices
Students and Faculty learn about Northeastern Recycling PracticesStudents are used to lugging their recycling and waste to the bottom floor of their building to be recycled. They throw it in a giant bin and walk away, which is when Sue Higgins’ Materials and Recycling...
New Battery Drop-Offs
New Battery Drop-OffsLast Friday, Northeastern unveiled a series of new battery drop-off bins across campus, which will allow members of the university community to have their old batteries safely recycled, including lithium and alkaline. In past years, one would have...
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About The Plan
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