UMW Receives Grant to Launch Composting Program, Expand Food Recovery
The University of Mary Washington was awarded $432,215 from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ) to support food waste prevention education, food recovery efforts and the establishment of a campus-wide composting program.
Funded through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant program, the award will help UMW expand initiatives designed to divert food waste from landfills while promoting sustainable practices on campus and throughout the Fredericksburg region.
“This project brings together many dedicated partners across campus and in the community who are committed to reducing waste and creating a more sustainable campus,” said Professor of Marketing Kashef Majid, who helped lead the grant proposal effort. “By expanding food recovery efforts, launching large-scale composting and studying attitudes toward food waste, we hope to create lasting changes in behavior while drawing greater attention to the importance of food waste prevention.”
UMW faculty, staff, students and community partners are all playing a role in the effort. Key collaborators include Director of Landscape and Grounds Holly Chichester-Morby, Associate Professor of Psychological Science Dave Kolar, Center for Community Engagement Director Sarah Dewees and representatives from UMW Dining Services and Sodexo.
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