James Madison University
EN-5: Outreach Campaign

In 2018, James Madison University joined with other universities around the state to support the Virginia Division of Energy's Demand Response Program. June 26, 2018 from 2:00 to 3:00 pm those on the JMU campus were expected to take actions, such as -Turn off lights; -Unplug office devices not in use; and, -Unplug kitchen appliances. The request for JMU campus members to participate was sent several days in advance by email.

JMU data had not been analyzed at the time of submission. A description and results of the overall DMME program are at https://www.dmme.virginia.gov/DE/DemandResponseContract.shtml.

The campaign included two components: 1) The first component annually targets on campus residents and the employees who work with those residents. The Office of Residence Life (ORL) and Facilities Management conduct an annual residence hall move out program called "Why Wait? Donate!" Special collection areas are established to collect donated items. The campaign message included in the "Residence Hall Move Out Information" is, "Items you wish to donate to 'Why Wait? Donate!' should be taken to the appropriate locations in your hall. We'll give it to charitable organizations to keep it out of the landfill." Signs are also posted in the residence halls. A move in campaign was added in Fall 2018. That program encouraged residents and those assisting them to flatten and place corrugated boxes in designated collection areas rather than throwing the boxes in dumpsters. Signs were posted. Extensive messaging was sent to ORL staff and a large list of employee volunteers. 2) In response to composting and recycling service changes at the university, all new signs were developed and posted at containers across campus. A "Reduce, Reuse, and then Recycle" campaign was completed to reiterate that recycling was the final step, and in doing this step, it was important to follow the new signs. Two Institute for Stewardship of the Natural World committees were involved with developing the most effective new signs and disseminating the messaging. Every building coordinator was individually contacted with new recycling signs, and digital displays across the campus displayed the information.

Donated items were given to the Salvation Army, Mercy House, Goodwill, and the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank. The amount of donations was visually estimated and recorded. Two and a half box truck loads of move out donation were collected in 2018, and three box truck loads were collected in 2017. The usual weekly amount of donations is much less than this. 31,020 pounds of loose cardboard was collected from residence halls, office buildings, and academic buildings (excluding dining facilities) the week of the box campaign - August 20, 2018. For comparison, 6300 pounds of loose cardboard was collected the week of August 13, 2018 and 1160 pounds the week of September 3, 2018.

(1) RecycleMania: JMU participates in RecycleMania. The annual campaign includes messaging by Aramark interns at dining locations across campus targeting students and employees, and reporting is conducted by JMU Facilities Management staff. In the Waste Minimization category, the results were 39.2 pounds per capita in 2017, 39.7 in 2016, and 39.8 in 2015. (2) Weigh the Waste: This was an outreach campaign conducted at all-you-care-to-eat dining facilities on JMU’s campus. While consumers (students and employees) enjoy the endless food, food waste is a concern. Aramark at JMU conducts Weigh the Waste initiatives each semester to raise awareness of food waste and encourage guests to take only what they can eat. The Weigh the Waste campaigns vary from a few days to a week long during the lunch period. There is also a month-long effort with a once a week event. A Weigh the Waste station is setup in front of the dish return. Interns have clear bins and a scale to collect and weigh food waste. Signage is displayed presenting food waste facts. Daily and week-to-date weight totals are posted so guests can see the impact directly. During the lunch period, the food waste is weighed and at the end totaled and divided by the total number of guests to determine the food waste per person. Each of the students are provided a script with facts and talking points to educate consumers. Two campaigns at East Campus Dining Hall, one each semester in calendar year 2016, had reductions on the order of 25% over four days. Over 3000 guests participated in each campaign. During the two-day Fall 2017 campaign at Dhub, solid food waste decreased by 17% on the second day. Roughly 1573 guests participated in the Fall campaign. In the Spring 2018 campaign, a vegan day was introduced and food waste increased. Weigh the Waste has transitioned over three years from being cooperatively organized between the campus and Aramark to being primarily an Aramark project in 2018.

Responsible party for "Weigh the Waste" and RecycleMania: Ms. Amanda Presgraves, Sustainability Coordinator, Aramark/JMU Dining Services Responsible party for "Why Wait, Donate?": Mr. Holmes Browne, Assistant Director, Business Services, Office of Residence Life Responsible parties for RecycleMania and "Why Wait, Donate" and box recycling: Mr. Jason Rexrode, Supervisor, Recycling/Waste Management, and Mr. Jonathan Paynter, Recycling/Waste Management