Pomona College
OP-23: Waste Diversion

Initiatives to reduce landfill waste: The replacement of disposable to-go containers and cups with reusable to-go containers and cups in dining halls likely had a significant effect on landfill waste. The Coop Fountain campus restaurant also participates in the reusables initiative. The Sustainability Integration Office (SIO) holds campaigns throughout the year to raise awareness and collect pledges for waste reduction.

Diversion initiatives: The College contracted with the Institution Recycling Network's Surplus Reuse Program and Sustainable Furniture Inc. to donate just above 26 tons of furniture (?) The SIO has added clearer signage about recycling and composting to trash rooms in dormitories. Dining halls transport pre-consumer food waste to the on-campus organic Farm for composting, and the residence hall composting program was expanded with compost bins installed throughout campus. The SIO's ReCoop/Clean Sweep materials reuse program collects abandoned student items during move-out and resells them during move-in. A waste audit is conducted annually and the results publicized to encourage better diversion. The SIO's Green Office Program provides stickers and signage for offices about compost and recycling and encourages diversion through its credit system.

Construction waste diversion: During construction and renovation projects, demolition and construction wastes are diverted through reuse, recycling, and donation. The construction waste diversion rate was at 89% for 2013-2014.

The Food Rescue program, started in 2007, donates approximately 400 meals per week to feed local homeless people. A group of 15 students picks up prepared but unserved food from the dining halls and delivers it to local shelters every night during the school year. In 2009, the program received a $10,000 grant for expenses and to help begin similar programs at other college campuses. Food Rescue diverted approximately 5 tons of what would have been food waste in 2013-2014.

Pomona's dining halls compost non-meat and non-dairy pre-consumer waste, which is transported to the campus Organic Farm for composting. Students can compost pre-consumer waste in the residence halls by checking out a compost bucket (or using their own) from the Sustainability Integration Office, then disposing of those compostable wastes at the Organic Farm or at the nine compost bins placed in residence hall areas around campus.

Students can compost post-consumer wastes in the dining halls by scraping non-meat and non-dairy wastes (including napkins and other paper scraps) into bins by the tray return. Students can also compost post-consumer waste in the residence halls by checking out a compost bucket (or using their own) from the Sustainability Integration Office, then disposing of those compostable wastes at the Organic Farm or at the nine compost bins placed in residence hall areas around campus. The Coop Fountain campus grill also collects post-consumer compost for the Farm.

Food related grease from the dining halls and on campus cafes are diverted to two companies: DarPro (Darling International) and Filta Services.