West Virginia University
OP-18: Waste Minimization and Diversion

While recycling programs and initiatives were developed and implemented in the early 2000’s it wasn’t until the fiscal year of 2011 that those efforts were succinctly measured and reported. From that point on collecting recycling data has continually improved to where we are today.

In addition to the categories listed above, WVU collects and recycles used light bulbs to a third-party vendor. The university also collects unused/gently used office supplies like binders, paper, notebooks, pens/pencils, etc. to an internal program called 'The Rack' where students can go to pick up free school supplies and donated food.

Annual meetings with campus custodians help determine where high levels of contamination consistently occur. Sampling of recyclables from specific buildings on campus have been audited periodically throughout the last several years as well. Both mechanisms help our team find the best solution to reduce contamination on campus.

In the fall of 2014, the WVU Operations team began transitioning buildings to the new single stream recycling model. At the same time, WVU implemented an empty-your-own-trash system making it each employee's responsibility to remove recyclables and waste from their office space and dispose of them at the nearest central waste station. Central waste stations include a large set of recycling and landfill bins and a bag dispenser for employees to utilize when re-lining their office bins. This new process created a positive recycling behavior change. Individuals became more mindful about the waste they generated with a new sense of responsibility choosing how they would ultimately dispose of it at the waste station. Plus the new system made it easier than ever to recycle correctly. This along with the increase of recyclable commodities that came with the new single stream method, helped us increase recycling collection by 60% within the first year of the new disposal procedure.

Since the early 2000's WVU has conducted several waste audits to better understand what types of waste are generated on campus. For example in 2012 and 2017 the university conducted identical dining hall waste audits. As a result from the first audit conducted a number of changes were implemented to WVU Dining’s programs. Our largest dining center, Café Evansdale, removed trays from serving lines in 2014. The Terrace Room, another dining hall located on campus began an experiment with reusable to-go containers in 2013. Major equipment upgrades to Café Evansdale took place in the summer of 2015, which helped the unit transition away from batch style cooking to a made-to-order model of service. This change in cooking style had a significant impact in reducing food waste.

Once retired WVU property becomes surplus, the item goes through a four-step process. First the item is offered internally to our main and regional campuses. If no interest is expressed, WVU will sell the item through online auction services. If the item still goes unclaimed a third attempt is made by offering the item to an approved non-profit agency partner of the WVU surplus donation program. The final step of the surplus process is to recycle or landfill the item if steps 1-3 were unsuccessful. WVU also has an office supply exchange through a program called The Rack. The Rack is a place on campus where anyone can drop off donated office supplies and non-perishable foods. Students may take items they want free of charge.

WVU's Office of Sustainability hosts an annual event on campus called the Give & Get Clothing Swap. This event educates students on wasteful practices that have emerged through the global fashion industry, and the importance of not only donating gently used items, but to also consider receiving used items to reduce waste. Just as the title of the event suggests, students are asked to bring articles of clothing to give and depending on how many pieces they bring, they will be allowed to get the same number of items in return.

WVU’s Information Technology Services (ITS) offers shared network printing options for departments. Establishing a central printing unit for employees to share eliminates the need for individual desktop printers. This ultimately reduces energy usage and individual ink cartridge waste. ITS does not charge departments for the hardware; they only pay for the prints and copies generated. This service also provides customers with more proactive machine servicing. Toner levels are actively monitored and switched out more efficiently ensuring that cartridges are only replaced when needed.

Mountaineer Marketplace- An eProcurement tool that allows employees to shop online and compare prices with the university’s competitive suppliers. Some suppliers on Mountaineer Marketplace offer a green product search filter to only show available products that are made from recycled material. Mountaineer Marketplace is typically used to purchase office supplies, lab supplies, computers, facilities equipment, etc. This eProcurement tool has the potential to save over 1 million sheets of paper annually.

MyExpenses- The University’s electronic expenses management system used for procurement card reconciliation and expense reimbursements.

MyTravel- The University’s travel booking tool to book flights, lodging, and rental cars for all university business travel.

Performance Management- An ongoing process utilized by management to strategically align employee’s goals and activities, aid employees in understanding how their work contributes to the organization and provide clear performance objectives, coaching, feedback and recognition for outstanding work. The complete performance review is conducted through an online submission process.

Employee contracts- Annual notice of appointment letters are sent to employees using an online format in an effort to simplify and modernize a consistent delivery approach across the University.

Online grant submission and management- All proposals are submitted online through the Office of Sponsored Programs and the Principle Investigator who is awarded grant funding manages the operations of the grant through an online format as well.

Student move-in cardboard recycling- Each year the Office of Sustainability recruits student volunteers to collect, flatten, and recycle cardboard at each residence hall during the scheduled days of student move-in. Volunteers are educated on what items are suitable to accept and discard things like plastic wrap and Styrofoam packaging into landfill containers.

Blue & Gold Mine Sale- Since 2005 a partnership between WVU and the United Way of Monongalia & Preston Counties have hosted an event called the Blue and Gold Mine Sale. This is an end-of-the-year student move-out sale that collects and sells approximately 25 tons of gently used donated items from students as they depart for summer break. The one-day sale gives residents of the community the opportunity to purchase usable items at a reasonable cost and all proceeds go the local United Way.

Throughout the year, WVU’s Roads & Grounds department collect natural debris like fallen branches from trees and leaves. The debris is chipped into finer pieces and used as mulch in landscape areas across campus.