James Madison University
OP-18: Waste Diversion

Highlights of JMU and it's partner's/contractor's waste management progress include: • JMU and JMU Dining Services (administered by ARAMARK) worked with two businesses to expand their services to meet JMU’s composting needs. By 2012, over 542,000 pounds of food waste were composted. • Eighteen single-use, disposable items used in food courts were replaced with compostable items. Two of the products were developed expressly for JMU Dining Services by Eco-Products, a Utah-based provider of foodservice packaging, and are now being used by other universities. • A partnership with Food Donation Connection was established to send surplus food to a local agency, the Salvation Army Hope Homeless Shelter in Harrisonburg, VA. • Plastic recycling has expanded to accept plastics #3-#7. Previously only #1 and #2 plastics were accepted. • All recycling bins on campus were inventoried and a complete re-labeling effort is underway to provide clear and consistent directions for recycling on campus. • Three major university events, such as the annual faculty and staff picnic, have been model low waste events in 2012. At these events, compostable tableware, bulk beverages and condiments, and visible recycling and composting bins staffed by catering personnel were used. At smaller events and meetings on campus, composting is available by request and attendees are asked to bring reusable beverage containers with them. • Approximately 30 tours of East Campus Dining Hall, which features the composting program, are conducted annually. • JMU Policy1701 (http://www.jmu.edu/JMUpolicy/1701.shtml) includes multiple buy-recycled stipulations. • In 2012, two new best practice guides were developed and distributed – one for individuals and employees and the other for low waste event planning. • The move out waste reduction program, “Why Wait? Donate!,” occurs annually in the residence halls. •JMU Policy #4305, (http://www.jmu.edu/JMUpolicy/4305.shtml) lists the following recyclable materials: •Paper - White paper, newspaper, colored paper, magazines, paperboard. This does not include transparencies, paper towels, napkins, wax paper or candy wrappers. •Used Beverage Containers - Aluminum, steel, and tin cans, all color glass bottles. •Plastics #1through #7. •Cardboard - Corrugated cardboard only. •Scrap metal - Copper, aluminum, stainless steel and other metal materials. •Batteries – Lead acid, alkaline, nickel cadmium, laptop, lithium ion, and automobile. •Fluorescent light bulbs. •Plastic - # 2 and #4 Plastic Bags - This includes grocery bags and shrink-wrap. •Compost - Waxed cardboard, food scraps, wet paper products and other organic materials. •Wood - Trees and tree branches, all other types of scrap wood. Laminated Wood products are not recyclable.

Fiscal year 11-12 data entered by Michael Dalmolin, on behalf of Jason Rexrode. Data was converted from pounds to short tons and from calendar year to fiscal year. Additional descriptions were provided by Amanda Bodle. Recycling data only includes JMU's main campus and the Grace Street Apartments; a few properties owned or leased by JMU located within the city of Harrisonburg's jurisdiction, in other cities throughout VA, and internationally are not included. Recycled weights do not include waste sent to the local Resource Recovery Facility for incineration.