Grand Valley annually competes in a friendly competition among college and university recycling programs from around the country called Campus Race to Zero Waste. Over a 10-week period, campuses compete in events to see which institution can collect the largest amount of recyclables per capita, the largest amount of total recyclables, the largest amount of trash per capita, or have the highest recycling rate.

What do we recycle? Where do we recycle? more... The main goal of the event is to increase student and staff awareness of campus recycling and waste minimization. All participating schools are required to report measurements on a weekly basis in pounds. Campus Race to Zero Waste provides many ways to gain recognition, including Campus Race to Zero Waste trophies, awards, and participant certificates. Participating in Campus Race to Zero Waste is a way for students to actively think about the waste being produced and opportunities for increasing their recycling habits as well as reducing consumption and reusing items, said Abbe Forbes, associate director and financial manager of Housing and Residence Life. (These goals will) hopefully encourage long-term awareness and positive habits.

WHAT DO WE RECYCLE?

History of Campus Race to Zero Waste

Campus Race to Zero Waste was launched in 2001 as a challenge between Ohio University and Miami University to increase recycling on their campuses. The contest has expanded rapidly in six years' time from two schools in 2001 to 201 colleges and universities in 2007. Grand Valley has recycle stations in every building. The bins accept plastics (numbered 1,2, and 6), glass, cans, batteries, cardboard and paper. This year, residents in Niemeyer have also implemented a composting program to support the community garden. The community councils are trying to expand this program across campus with the composting of pizza boxes. For more information about Grand Valley's recycling programs, visit www.gvsu.edu/facilitiesservices/allendale/.

2021 Results

Diversion category - 14 out of 170 - 50.55% recycled

2018 results

GVSU RECYCLEMANIA 2018 FINAL NUMBERS NATIONAL COMPETITIONS Competition Rank & Cumulative Recycled 

Total pounds recycled - 1,091,619 lbs.

Total recycled per capita - Ranked 119 out of 228 - 8.9 lbs.

Diversion category - 12 out of 170 - 63.9% recycled 

Out of 300 participating universities, Grand Valley ranked 8th in the nation in the recycling category and 12th in the diversion category.

2017 Results

GVSU RECYCLEMANIA 2017 FINAL NUMBERS NATIONAL COMPETITIONS Competition Rank & Cumulative Recycled 

Competition Rank (-- of --) and Cumulative Recycled (lbs/person)

Overall recycling rate - ranked 162 out of 190 - 6.54 lbs. per capita 

Total pounds recycled - ranked 43 out of 215 - 362,458 lbs.

Diversion Category - ranked 83 out of 190 - 38.1% diversion

2016 results

GVSU RECYCLEMANIA 2016 FINAL NUMBERS NATIONAL COMPETITIONS Competition Rank & Cumulative Recycled 

Competition Rank (-- of --) and Cumulative Recycled (lbs/person)

Grand Champion 47 of 208, Weekly recycling rate 46.92%

Per Capita Classic 184 of 296, 7.14 lbs/person

Gorilla 39 of 302, 511,605 lbs

Waste Minimization 55 of 120, 43.97 lbs/person

Food Service Organics 15 of 167, 13.49 lbs/person

GVSU ranked 15 nationwide (for universities with more than 20,000 students) in the composting category of the nationwide recycling contest Recyclemania. Grand Valley also ranked 55th in the nation in the waste minimization category, compared to 80th place in 2015. The category is based on producing the least amount of recyclables, food organics and trash on a per-person basis.
View complete 2016 results at Recyclemania.org