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Determining GHG Emissions from Composting at t he University of Arizona

Determining GHG Emissions from Composting at t he University of Arizona. Emily Toffol UA NASA Space Grant Intern UA Office of Sustainability. Joe Abraham, PhD UA Office of Sustainability. AASHE 2012 Annual Conference October 16, 2012. Outline. Introduction & background

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Determining GHG Emissions from Composting at t he University of Arizona

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  1. Determining GHG Emissions from Composting at the University of Arizona Emily Toffol UA NASA Space Grant Intern UA Office of Sustainability Joe Abraham, PhD UAOffice of Sustainability AASHE 2012 Annual Conference October 16, 2012

  2. Outline • Introduction & background • Research questions • Data • Methods • Results • Lessons learned & next steps

  3. UA Snapshot • Approx 39,000 Students & 15,000 Employees • 175 buildings ~ 9M gross sqft (Main Campus)

  4. UA Snapshot • AAU Member Institution (“Research 1”) • $586M in R&D Expenditures (2011-12)

  5. Arizona’s Land Grant Institution Around the State Tucson Area

  6. Arizona/NASA Space Grant • NASA created National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program 1989 • Provides experiences for and attracts and attains students in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) disciplines.

  7. Compost Basics

  8. Student-Run Compost Program

  9. Compost Ingredients

  10. Collection and Processing

  11. Why Inventory GHG Emissions? • UA is an ACUPCC signatory • ~2% of total GHG emissions come from solid waste(4,200 MT CO2e) • An inventory is first step in quantifying reductions

  12. Research Questions • How effective is the Compost Cats program at reducing emissions due to organic waste? • How can the Compost Cats better monitor their emission reductions? • How can Compost Cats reliably inform business partners of their GHG reductions?

  13. Inventory Methods • Climate Action Reserve (CAR) Organics Composting Protocol • Developed and reviewed by industry experts, federal agencies, and environmental organizations. • Established for Western Climate Initiative cap and trade program and other voluntary markets climateactionreserve.org

  14. Determining Emission Reductions Compost Project Emissions VS Business-as-Usual Emissions

  15. Calculations = MT CO2e reduced

  16. Calculator Tool • Enter sources (lbs), returns emission reductions • Consistent with process and protocol • Easy to use

  17. Results Average Weekly Project v. Business-as-Usual Emissions: Mt CO2e Mt CO2e

  18. Lessons Learned • Using established protocol = credibility • Research was challenging but not impossible • Emission reductions are negligible (< 1%) • Custom calculator is really handy but requires updating…

  19. New Sources Since Inventory Post-consumer waste Soiled animal bedding Residence hall composting

  20. Process Changes Since Inventory New Composting Location More Fuel-Efficient Truck

  21. Future Plans for Compost Cats • Bagging compost for local retail • Expand collection • UA fraternities & sororities • More local restaurants • More local grocery stores

  22. Thank You Emily Toffoletoffol@email.arizona.edu Joe Abraham jabraham@email.arizona.edu Acknowledgements

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