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Recycling

The University is a national leader in recycling and waste minimization. In 2008, U.Va. finished in sixth place in Recyclemania's "Gorilla Prize" contest, which measures cumulative recyclable pounds with 881,640.

Other awards for the recycling program include:

  • 2008 Virginia Recycling Association Outstanding University Program
  • 2007 SWANA Recycling Systems Bronze Award.

The University recycles mixed paper, white paper, cardboard, aluminum, metals, all plastics, transparencies, small electronics, disks and CDs, and glass. The program has a 41 percent diversion rate. Landscaping waste is composted and used on campus grounds.

  • In the spring of 2008, U.Va. piloted a food composting initiative and is currently working with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality to address permitting issues for that program.
  • Under a special initiative at U.Va. called Medical Equipment Recovery of Clean Inventory (MERCI), clean, unused medical supplies and outdated equipment are collected. Since MERCI's inception in 1992, materials have been shipped to Russia, Lithuania, Haiti, Honduras, and the Free Clinic of Charlottesville.
  • The Reusable Office Supply Exchange Program takes in surplus office supplies and makes them available to students, faculty, staff, and student organizations at no charge. This program offers paper, envelopes, binders, hanging folders, desk organizers, and much more.
  • The Chuck It For Charity program collects reusable items that students no longer want at the end of each semester (e.g., fans, electronics, furniture, microwave ovens, clothes, and non-perishable food items) and provides these items to charitable organizations in the Charlottesville community who distribute them to community members who are less privileged.
  • The Sofa Shuffle is the University's Off-Grounds Furniture Donation Drive, encouraging departing U.Va. students to donate their unwanted furniture and household items in support of Charlottesville area nonprofit organizations and residents. Nearly 300 significant household items were collected during the event in May and June 2008.

More Information.