http://facmgt.jmu.edu/web/operations/recycling

James Madison University - Index

James Madison University - Madison Magazine - Summer 2009 - Index

TONE UNIVERSITY’S
Twenty years. That’s how long JMU’s
recycling program has been at work. The
program began when the Virginia General
Assembly adopted legislation in
1989 that established the current 25 percent
recycling rates for communities. To
heighten awareness when the program
first started, articles ran in The Breeze,
and staffers helped spread the word.
Two decades later, JMU has a 35 percent
recycling rate, which is one of the
highest rates among Virginia universities.
TRASH is TREASURE
JMU recycling program turns 20 BY COLLEEN DIXON
From Feb. 2 through March 28, the
JMU community participated in the
national RecycleMania program and
competed against hundreds of universities
nationally. JMU ranked third among
Virginia universities in the waste minimization category.
During RecycleMania, students in Georgia Polacek’s health science
class helped with a campus trash sort to see how much of the
waste in three JMU buildings was actually recyclable. Students
who participated in the trash sort reported long-term behavioral
changes and more interest in environmental issues. On campus,
faculty and staff members competed, building by building, to
reduce waste. The building competition winners were Blue Ridge
Hall, Carrier Library, CISAT/CS-HHS, East Campus Library, the
Health Center, Sonner Hall, Theater II and University Unions.
JMU’s Recycling and Waste Management team also generates
some income from campus recycling. Products are sold at market
JMU has a 35 percent
recycling rate,
which is one of the
best among Virginia
universities. Left: To
gear up for the 2009
national Recycle-
Mania competition,
students did a trash
sort from a residence
hall, academic building
and an administrative
building to see
how much trash was
actually recyclable.
value, and revenue is
deposited in the budget
to further campus
recycling efforts.
JMU’s list of recyclables
is long and includes aluminum, plastic, computers, glass, calcium
and mercury in lamps, metal, mixed papers, cardboard and
newspaper, plastic film, scrap wood, steel cans, tires, and wood.
About 30 percent of the remaining waste is incinerated and turned
into steam power, and less than 40 percent of JMU’s total waste
hits a landfill.
M
✱ Learn more at http://facmgt.jmu.edu/web/operations/recycling.
JMU’s new east campus dining hall will be certified at the silver level of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building
Rating System. LEED is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green
buildings. LEED promotes a building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental
health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.
38 MADISON MAGAZINE
RECYCLE PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANGEL ELZA (’10); DINING HALL BY DIANE ELLIOTT (’00)