As Villanova University faced a complex set of challenges in managing its waste and materials, undergoing the absorption of Cabrini University, and supporting the new residential building development to house all undergraduate students, the GBB Project Team was selected through a rigorous procurement process to assist in developing a centralized waste collection system and infrastructure.

The diverse nature of a university environment, from classrooms and dormitories to dining halls and event spaces, generates a wide spectrum of logistical challenges and materials requiring tailored disposal and diversion strategies. Furthermore, the cyclical nature of the academic year, with peaks during move-in/move-out periods, special events, and exam periods, creates fluctuating waste volumes that demand flexible, scalable solutions. Recognizing the importance of not only managing these varying waste streams effectively but also engaging the entire Villanova community – students, faculty, and staff – in adopting sustainable practices, GBB assembled a multi-disciplinary team that included River District Consulting Group and Univerus with the understanding that any proposed solutions must be practical, cost effective, and seamlessly integrated into the existing campus operations, minimizing disruption while maximizing positive outcomes and working collaboratively with the current staff.

Key tasks of the project included:

• Evaluating Community Satisfaction
• Benchmarking Existing Services
• Developing Operational and Logistics Plan
• Assessing the Cost-Benefit of Alternative Fuel Vehicles
• Developing Infrastructure Plan
• Supporting Vendor Evaluation