Waste Initiative

WASTE

Johns Hopkins University is active in reducing waste and promoting recycling and composting on all of its campuses. In fiscal year 2017, Johns Hopkins University achieved an overall waste diversion rate of 43%, surpassing its standing goal of 35%.

The university has also developed initiatives focused on source reduction, including reducing total paper consumption. When we do buy paper products, our goal is to use post-consumer recycled content paper. For example, campuses use at least 50% post-consumer recycled content for bathroom products, with most using 100%.

RECYCLING

All of Johns Hopkins’ campuses have robust and convenient recycling programs. Methods and bins used for collecting recyclables vary by campus and division, but all paper and cardboard, glass bottles and jars, aluminum cans and foil, and plastic containers (#1 and 2) are recyclable. Other unique programs exist for items such as writing utensils, ink cartridges, and electronics through Terracycling. For dorm materials, Homewood Housing and Residence Life Offices host move-out collections for Goodwill at the end of the year. Click on your campus/division for specific recycling information and resources under the “Campuses & Contacts” section of the site.

COMPOSTING

Organic and biodegradable waste collected for composting on campus is taken to an off-site service facility where it is processed into soil for gardening and farming in the region. Beyond creating a new useful product, composting also diminishes the public and environmental health problems caused by traditional waste disposal at landfills and incinerators. Air pollution from the burning and burying of waste in landfills causes public health and environmental problems such as cancer, asthma, and species and habitat loss. On campus, the following items are accepted for composting: all food scraps (pre and postconsumer), compostable utensils made from biodegradable material, and all paper products like plates, coffee cups, napkins, and paper towels. Click on your campus/division to determine if compost collection is available where you are under the “Campuses & Contacts” section

WASTE 101

Sorting your waste can seem difficult, especially when you’re on the go. To help you better understand what bins you should be using and work to reduce contamination of recycling and compost bins, we’ve developed a one page Waste 101 document. For further questions about waste diversion, please contact the Office of Sustainability at sustainability@jhu.edu.

REDUCTION & REUSE INITIATIVES

Reduce-Reuse-Recycle is not just a neat catch phrase; it is an order of processes. Reducing consumption is always the first priority. For everything left over, we look for opportunities to reuse the stuff, and then finally we recycle what is left over. Everyone is invited to donate unwanted goods from their working and living spaces – from furniture and office supplies, to electronics and clothing – to one or more of the many reuse and donation programs at the university.

As undergraduates move out of residence halls in May and July, donation bins and trucks make it easy for students to donate their unwanted items, ensuring they are reused and not unnecessarily disposed of. The Eco-Smart Move Out Program is a collaboration between Community Living, Homewood Recycling, and Sustainability.
Furniture reuse programs are available at both Johns Hopkins University and Johns Hopkins Medicine are designed to reuse and recycle office furniture rather than simply purchasing new items.
BootUpBaltimore refurbishes recycled computer equipment and provides free computers and hands-on computer instruction to students in need in Baltimore public schools. They accept drop-off donations of functional computer equipment at the Center for Social Concern, 3103 N. Charles Street on the Homewood campus.