Zero Waste at BU
BU's Zero Waste Plan was developed by a 54-member task force during the fall of 2019, and released on March 3, 2021. Hundreds of BU faculty, staff, and students helped shape the Plan through participation in forums, surveys, and more. The Plan outlines 21 different initiatives that focus on various important aspects of Zero Waste: redesign, reduce, reuse, recycle/compost, culture change, and market development. As of January 2024, we are halfway towards our Zero Waste goal. Together, we can with the "Zero Waste Race." To see our progress, you can view our data dashboard.
Read the BU Zero Waste Plan and consider:
- how you expect it to impact how you live, work, and study at BU
- how you will implement the Plan within your department, and
- what you need to succeed.
Help Achieve Zero Waste
It's going to take a collective effort across BU to achieve Zero Waste. Are you up for the challenge?
- "Pledge with Purpose." Commit to Zero Waste behaviors that can help us make a lasting impact.
- Educate yourself on the issue of waste and address your own impact
- Sort your waste properly
- Participate in BU's programs that support Zero Waste.
- Visit our Residential Composting Pilot FAQ pdf
![Zero Waste Awareness Campaign_1](/sustainability/files/2021/04/Zero-Waste-Awareness-Campaign_1.jpg)
Zero Waste Task Force & Working Groups
Thank you to the members of the BU community who contributed their time, expertise, and perspective to help create the Zero Waste Plan.
Co-Chairs
Dennis Carlberg
Associate VP, University Sustainability
Working Groups: Metrics, Construction Waste
Paul Riel
Associate VP, Auxiliary Services
Working Group: Metrics
Members
John Barton
Executive Director, Medical Campus, Facilities Management & Operations
Working Group: Infrastructure & Logistics
Rhoda Bianchi
Program Manager, Occupational Health and Safety
Working Group: Construction Waste
Gabriela Boscio Santos
Engagement Manager, University Sustainability
Working Group: Engagement & Environmental Stewardship
Jill Brown
Senior Designer, Campus Planning and Operations
Working Group: Supply Chain
Tom Chance
AIA Contract Specialist, Sourcing & Procurement
Working Group: Construction Waste
Michael Ciarlante
Director, Events & Conferences
Working Group: Infrastructure & Logistics
Ron Corley
Director of Center, Research – National Emerging Infectious Disease Lab
Working Group: Supply Chain
Ziba Cranmer
Director, BU Spark!
Working Groups: Metrics (Co-Chair)
Shane Cutler
Events & Conferences
Task Force member
Michael DiFabio
Associate VP for Real Estate, Real Estate & Facility Services, Operations
Working Group: Infrastructure & Logistics
Stephen Ellis
Data Manager, University Sustainability
Working Group: Metrics (Co-Chair)
David Flynn
Assistant VP, Construction Services
Working Group: Construction (Co-Chair)
John Freeley
Director of Retail for BU Dining and the 660 Corp
Working Group: Engagement & Environmental Stewardship
Hayley Gambone
BU Sustainability Intern supporting Zero Waste
Task Force member
Stacy Gianoulis
Assistant VP, Client Services & Support, Information Services & Technology
Working Group: Supply Chain
Thom Gorham
Associate Director, Campus/Clinical Safety, Research – Health and Safety
Working Group: Engagement & Environmental Stewardship
Jason Grochowalski
Associate Director of Residence Life for Administration
Working Group: Infrastructure & Logistics
Denise Hagen
Director of Environmental Affairs, BU Student Government
Working Group: Engagement & Environmental Stewardship
Keith Haran
Category Manager, Technology, Sourcing & Procurement
Working Group: Supply Chain
Jeff Hoseth
Associate Director of Construction Services, Planning, Design & Construction
Working Group: Construction Waste
Ed Jacques
Facilities Director, Fenway Campus
Working Group: Infrastructure & Logistics (Co-Chair)
Nishmin Kashyap
Director of Housing, Auxiliary Services
Working Group: Infrastructure & Logistics
Greg King
Associate Category Manager, Site Services, Sourcing & Procurement
Working Group: Supply Chain (Co-Chair)
Joseph LaChance
Director, Dining Services
Working Group: Infrastructure & Logistics
Erik Levy
Founder & President, Save that Stuff
Working Group: Metrics
Mike Lyons
Category Manager, Facilities, Sourcing & Procurement
Working Groups: Supply Chain, Construction Waste
Will Matos
Assistant Director, Academic Area Managers, Facilities Management & Operations
Working Group: Infrastructure & Logistics
Colleen McGinty
Assistant VP for Annual Capital Projects, Planning, Design & Construction
Working Groups: Construction Waste (Co-Chair), Infrastructure & Logistics
Randall Moore
Associate VP, Sourcing & Procurement
Working Groups: Task Force member
Karen Murphy
Director, Center for Professional Education, Metropolitan College
Working Group: Supply Chain
Bob O’Toole
Trucking & Grounds Manager, Facilities Management & Operations
Working Group: Infrastructure & Logistics
Jason Pina
Director, Analysis & Data Management, Informatics & Strategic Initiatives
Working Group: Metrics
Ken Pucker
Lecturer, Organizational Behavior, Questrom School of Business
Working Group: Supply Chain
Michael Puim
Environmental Program Manager, Environmental Health & Safety
Working Group: Infrastructure & Logistics
Lexie Raczka
Sustainability Director, Dining Services
Working Groups: Metrics, Engagement & Environmental Stewardship
Rick Reibstein
Lecturer, Dept. of Earth & Environment
Working Group: Engagement & Environmental Stewardship
Kaity Robbins
Zero Waste Manager, University Sustainability
Working Groups: Infrastructure & Logistics (Co-Chair), Engagement & Environmental Stewardship (Co-Chair), Supply Chain, Metrics, Construction Waste
Scott Rosario
Director of Marketing, BU Dining Services
Working Group: Engagement & Environmental Stewardship
Jeff Roy
Executive Director, Sourcing Strategy and Analytics, Sourcing & Procurement
Working Group: Supply Chain
Bob Simboli
Category Manager, Research, Sourcing and Procurement
Working Group: Supply Chain
Fernando Sousa
Assistant Director, Campus Planning & Operations
Working Group: Engagement & Environmental Stewardship
Leigh Thumith
Director of Operations, Boston University – Aramark
Working Group: Infrastructure & Logistics
Lisa Tornatore
Director, University Sustainability
Working Groups: Supply Chain (Co-Chair), Infrastructure & Logistics, Engagement & Environmental Stewardship
Shari Turmandao
Assistant Director for Howard Therman Center, Dean of Students
Working Group: Infrastructure & Logistics
Carlos Vasquez
Director, Custodial Services
Working Group: Supply Chain
Michael Walsh
Research Assistant Professor, Dept. of Earth & Environment
Working Group: Metrics
Bill Walter
Assistant VP for Operations & Services, Real Estate & Facility Services
Working Group: Engagement & Environmental Stewardship
Melinda Wheeler
Associate Category Manager, Business Services, Sourcing & Procurement
Working Group: Supply Chain
Bob Whitfield
Director of Occupational Health and Safety, Environmental Health & Safety
Working Group: Engagement & Environmental Stewardship (Co-Chair)
Kyle Woolley
Student intern with Planning, Design & Construction
Working Group: Construction Waste