Sustainability

Housing and Residence Life at Western Michigan University is proud of its efforts to be a sustainable housing operation. Our goals are both to reduce our environmental impact and to educate students.

Custodial and facilities

Residence hall and apartment custodial contractors uses “Green Seal Certified” cleaning products wherever possible for all custodial cleaning tasks. Most custodial equipment is also "Green Seal Certified," such as floor scrubbers and window washing equipment that utilize water electrically activated water (EAW) technology. EAW technology has helped eliminate the need for up to 47 common general purpose, hard surface, glass and carpet cleaning chemicals.

Western View Apartments are LEED certified. All possible light bulbs in campus housing are low-energy use. Occupancy sensors are installed in some common areas, and plans to install more are set. Entrance mats to buildings are made out of 100 percent post-consumer polyester fiber from drinking bottles and 15 percent post-consumer recycled rubber reclaimed from tires.

Recycling

Large recycling dumpsters are located near the main entrances of each hall. WMU uses a co-mingled system, so recycling is quick and easy - no sorting required. Click here for what WMU recycles.

Replaced furniture is repurposed by offering it to local charities and organizations. Bed frames are recycled, resulting in cash flow for future projects versus an expense for their disposal. Bed mattresses are also recycled instead of going to the landfill.