RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Twelve Virginia institutions have received nearly $8 million from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to aid in reducing food waste across the state. This funding was provided through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Climate Pollution Reduction G rant program, and will go towards several different programs -- including food waste prevention, food rescue and composting. “DEQ is pleased to provide funding and partner with Virginia’s higher education institutions to address food waste,” said DEQ Director Mike Rolband in a press release. “Reducing food waste and encouraging composting provides a range of environmental benefits that will extend beyond these campuses.” Additionally, the projects will recover surplus food to help feed people in need. Several institutions within Central Virginia were among the 12 selected to receive money: The University of Virginia received $536,539 towards food storage equipment, funded student positions for food rescue and composting operations as well as new community drop-off locations to increase access to composting for local residents. Virginia Commonwealth University received $1,045,196 towards support for a university-wide initiative focused on food waste reduction and diversion for VCU's main campus and hospital system. Virginia Tech received $3,530,497 towards the construction of an industrial-scale composting facility with an intended yearly processing capacity of 2,700 tons, to handle campus food waste and help improve manure management. To learn more about food waste prevention efforts and to view the full list of institutions that were awarded money, click here. ...read more read less