Waste and Recycling at University of Washington

Gene Woodard, director of building services, is currently looking for ways to reduce the waste University of Washington deposits into landfills, as well as the time custodians spend emptying trash.

Composting is a campus-wide initiative that is taken very seriously.

Programs are in place at University of Washington to make sure all trash is sorted appropriately, minimizing the effect the facility has on the environment.

“Stop. Think. Recycle” is a mantra across campus.

Students and staff alike participate in the Trash-In event on campus that promotes proper disposal of waste.

To help sort, receptacles specify the type of trash and even the can liners are sustainable.

For large events like football games, larger recycling receptacles are available to help sort trash.

Throughout campus, Smart Cans are placed to help sort trash.

To help reduce the amount of one-and-done plastic water bottles, University of Washington supplies students with reusable bottles.

In campus offices, the MiniMax program is in place encouraging paper recycling and minimal waste.

To aid the custodial staff, building occupants bring trash and recycling to a centralized location for disposal.

The custodial staff then returns receptacles to the offices after disposal.

Currently composting is only offered in certain areas of campus. They are testing the potential of offering composting in the office areas of campus.

University of Washington has earned the Husky Green Award for exemplary leadership in promoting recycling and solid waste.

Aside from traditional trash, students and staff participate in a reuse program where items like clothing and shoes can be donated for those in need.