AuditReview of the Commonwealth's Recycling Practices - Bridgewater State University

This is a Massachusetts State Auditor performance audit of Bridgewater State University’s recycling practices from July 1, 2014 through December 31, 2016.

“I am pleased to provide this performance audit of the recycling practices at Bridgewater State University.”

The auditor checked whether the university followed state recycling requirements and properly managed recycling contracts, records, credits, and monitoring.

“In this performance audit, we reviewed and assessed certain aspects of the university’s compliance with Section 7C of Executive Order 515, which requires increased recycling practices in the disposal of waste materials, in the administration of its recycling program.”

As a Massachusetts resident, this matters because a public university is expected to manage waste responsibly and receive proper credits when recyclable materials have value.

“These materials are subject to credits, which the university’s contracted trash hauler applies against the amounts it bills to the university.”

The university was doing recycling, but not documenting and overseeing the program well enough.

“Although Bridgewater State University (BSU) is complying with state requirements for establishing recycling practices for disposal of its solid waste materials, improvements are needed in its administration of this activity.”

The auditor recommended that BSU create stronger written procedures and monitoring controls, and the university said it would review and improve its documentation practices.

“BSU should establish sufficient formal written policies and procedures regarding its recycling program and establish monitoring controls to ensure that these policies and procedures are adhered to and that all activities related to this process are properly documented.”

The most serious concern was not just recycling itself, but whether BSU could prove what happened to materials, including hazardous waste, from pickup through disposal.

“As a result, there was no documented chain of custody of these hazardous waste materials from the source of their generation to their ultimate recycling or disposal.”

Executive Order 515 is the state rule requiring agencies to recycle more of their waste, including common items like paper, glass, cans, plastic bottles, containers, and electronics.

“Agencies shall ensure that they integrate increased recycling practices in the disposal of their own waste materials, including but not limited to paper, glass, cans, plastic bottles, containers and electronic equipment.”