Reduce Dorm Waste via Dodge the Dumpster Programming

This initiative proposes to address the significant waste generated during dorm move-in and move-out at the University of Arizona. These events generate substantial waste each year as students furnish their rooms resulting in packaging waste primarily consisting of soft plastics, Styrofoam, and cardboard. The goal is to reduce environmental impact by promoting recycling, reuse, and responsible waste management practices among students and staff involved in campus housing operations. Actionable items include:

• Develop and share a "green shopping list" for incoming residents, recommending sustainable purchases like LED lights and encouraging buying reused dorm items from thrift stores.
• Set up temporary cardboard collection points outside each dorm during move-in, ensuring cardboard is flattened and collected for recycling by custodial and University Facility Services staff.
• Increase educational opportunities for residents about waste reduction and recycling options throughout the school year, including orientation sessions and ongoing communications via Housing channels.
• Organize the Dodge the Dumpster program during move-out, where Suburban Miners collects and sorts unwanted items from dorms for reuse, recycling, or resale.
• Assess the effectiveness of diversion programs like Dodge the Dumpster, aiming to increase diversion rates and potentially establish permanent donation collection points within dorms to ease logistics and increase participation.