George Washington University
OP-17: Waste Reduction

GW commits to reviewing its impact on and dependence on ecosystems locally, regionally, and globally, and to make a plan to enhance ecosystem services in these regions. GW commits to becoming a Zero Waste campus in the long-term, and aims to increase recycling to 50% by 2017 and to reduce litter on campus. Tactics proposed to achieve these goals include: expanding composting, updating and expanding recycling and waste infrastructure on campus, piloting new technologies, exploring new vendor options and increasing education and awareness. GW will also expand on its successful Green Move Out program. In 2012, Green Move-Out collected about 90,000 pounds of clothing, shoes, and bedding—more than 3,600 bags, each weighing about 25 pounds. More than 5,000 pounds of nonperishable food were collected, in addition to 57 boxes of books, weighing 35 pounds each. Students also donated large household items—34 televisions, eight futons and numerous small lamps, vacuum cleaners and shelving units. GW also has installed 15 BigBelly Solar trash compactors on campus, including 9 combination units that accept both trash and recycling. These compactors not only reduce the frequency of trash and recycling removal, they increase recycling capacity, reduce litter on campus, and conserve energy required to remove trash and recycling.