Auditing: Greenhouse Gases (GHG) and Waste
Track the Institute’s progress in creating a sustainable campus.
As part of its commitment to students, faculty, and the general public, the Institute publishes summary statistics of its sustainability efforts.
To learn more about the difference between Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 emissions, click here.
Greenhouse Gas Audits
Here you can find information on the Institute’s greenhouse gas and waste audits. These statistics serve as a tracking device for you. Every year we continue to work toward our goals to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions and non-recyclable waste.
Year-by-Year CO2 Emissions Comparison (in Metric Tonnes)
|
Fiscal Year |
Scope 3: Travel |
Scope 2: Electricity |
Natural Gas |
Scope 3: Landfill Methane |
Scope 1B: Mobile |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2006-2007 |
2,865 |
304 |
212 |
15 |
2 |
3,398 |
|
2007-2008 |
2,725 |
273 |
218 |
44 |
2 |
3,262 |
|
2008-2009 |
1,945 |
294 |
241 |
54 |
7 |
2,541 |
|
2009-2010 |
1,433 |
281 |
235 |
47 |
2 |
1,998 |
|
2010-2011 |
1,654 |
257 |
213 |
50 |
1 |
2,175 |
|
2011-2012 |
1,643 |
234 |
214 |
46 |
8 |
2,145 |
|
2012-2013 |
1,213 |
239 |
224 |
45 |
9 |
1,730 |
|
2013-2014 |
1,356 |
240 |
200 |
32 |
1 |
1,829 |
|
2014-2015 |
706 |
191 |
142 |
47 |
1 |
1,087 |
|
2015-2016 |
1,136 |
229 |
178 |
18 |
2 |
1,612 |
|
2016-2017 |
748 |
173 |
206 |
18 |
0 |
1,145 |
|
2017-2018 |
1021 |
172 |
190 |
17 |
0 |
1,402 |
|
2018-2019 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2019-2020 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2020-2021 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2021-2022 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2022-2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Since the first audit in 2006, the Institute has considerably reduced its carbon footprint. In fiscal year (FY) 2006–2007, greenhouse gas emissions associated with the Institute were equivalent to the emissions from 718 passenger vehicles driven for one year. In FY 2017– 2018, the Institute’s travel carbon footprint dropped to equal the equivalent of emissions from 298 passenger vehicles driven for one year.
Emissions by Source 2017–2018
Emissions resulting from the Institute’s travel remain the largest component of the campus footprint. This is a major challenge that is currently being addressed by the Sustainability Council. More details about our campus improvements to mitigate our greenhouse gas emissions can be found in the “Carbon Neutrality Initiative” section of our “What We Do” webpage.
Campus Waste Audits
The Institute is committed to minimizing waste and increasing recycling whenever possible. The Sustainability Council continuously monitors, documents, and tracks the progress of weekly campus waste output. Our 2015–2016 waste metrics were as follows:
- Average Weekly Waste: 1,297 lbs.
- Average Waste Recycled Weekly: 599 lbs.
- Average % Waste Recycled Weekly: 46%
Goals
On July 1, 2010, the Institute officially merged with Middlebury to become a Graduate School of Middlebury College. Accompanying the merger, the Institute set a goal of recycling at least 40 percent of its waste. At 46 percent of waste recycled weekly, we reached our recycling rate goal! However, we are not stopping here. We will continue to work with students, staff, and faculty to ensure that this upward trend continues into the coming years. In addition, we are also working on increasing our composting capacity. Stay tuned for more news soon!
Battery recycling
Since February 2008, the Institute has been collecting used batteries in special recycling bins throughout campus. To date, the Institute has recycled more than 2,475 pounds of batteries!