What's happening on-campus?

Waste Minimisation Programmes

Massey University, Palmerston North

A zero waste programme for Massey University’s Turitea campus in Palmerston North School was established in December 1999. Initially a student research programme undertook a waste audit of solid waste generation on; 1- the concourse, 2- the student cafeteria/kitchen area. Alongside this, additional data on ‘green’ and ‘animal’ waste quantities was collected.  A parallel project focusing on improved solid waste recycling and source separation behaviour was also initiated. As an outcome of this work:

• Recycling bins were installed on the concourse and in the student cafeteria/kitchen areas
• Signage was erected
• A comprehensive environmental pack was produced and distributed to students during the first semester orientation week in 2000
• A "lug-a-mug" scheme designed to significantly reduce the usage of single trip polystyrene cups was successfully introduced during semester 1, saving an estimated 470,000 cups from going to landfill every year.

Projects were well supported by students, academic staff and the university facilities management staff. Subsequently, new projects on green campus planning, energy efficient lighting and water conservation were introduced. Additionally, a series of surveys of students and staff at Massey’s Turitea campus have been undertaken to elicit recycling attitudes and behaviour and to evaluate the four-bin recycling system.

Most recently, Masters student, Rony Da Costa completed his thesis entitled, ‘Enhancing Waste and Recycling infrastructure and the Awareness and Participation of the Campus Community at the Massey University-Turitea Campus-Palmerston North’. This research has led to further examination and evolution of the campus recycling system.

This early and recent work has led to the formation of the ‘living labs’ concept a as driven force for developing problem solving ideas aimed at progressing the University’s overarching ‘Programme of Sustainability’ within which, zero waste remains a contemporary strength. 

Two reports have been produced about this Zero Waste programme:

"Mason, I.G., Oberender, A. & Brooking, A.K. (2004) Source separation and potential re-use of resource residuals on a university campus. Resources, Conservation & Recycling 40 (2) 155-172.

Mason, I.G., Brooking, A.K., Oberender., Harford, J.M. & Horsley, P.G. (2003) Implementation of a zero waste program on a university campus. Resources, Conservation and Recycling 38 (4) 257-269.

NB: If you do not have access to the journal, reprints may be requested from Ian Mason at ian.mason@canterbury.ac.nz.

Massey Contact: Jonathon Hannon

Coordinator - Zero Waste Academy, Massey University, PN433, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand - ph: 06 350 5016 - fx: 06 350 5679 - mobile: 027 294 9595 - email: - skype: jhannonzwa-nz

Updated March 2012