Recycling and Waste
Arizona State University works together across all four campuses to minimize waste and increase the proportion diverted from landfills.
Recycling
Recycling efforts across ASU’s four campuses have two main goals: to increase recycling participation and to reduce contamination that can relegate an entire bin of recyclables to the landfill. With a community of more than 80,000, proper recycling can have a major impact on reducing our solid waste.
Composting
ASU is developing a university-wide composting program. Currently, about 14 tons of landscaping waste is composted monthly at a local farm. ASU purchases the compost for use on campus landscapes, replacing artificial fertilizers.
Exchanging Surplus Items
Sun Devils Surplus Exchange and Transfer (SunSET) is a university-wide “classified ad” system for exchanging ASU property. Through SunSET, ASU departments can re-use office and lab supplies, furniture, and other un-needed items.
Selling or Recycling Surplus Items
Surplus Property harvests and sells metal from retired ASU property, recycles cardboard and paper that cannot be reused, and generally does all it can to reduce waste and increase revenue.
Selling or Recycling Surplus Items »
Reducing Junk Mail
ASU Mail Services has partnered with Ecological Mail Coalition to help reduce each department’s junk mail, including catalogs, magazines, and other advertising mail for employees who are no longer in a department.
Ditch the Dumpster
Ditch the Dumpster gives students a way to recycle, reuse, or repurpose their leftovers during the year-end rush to move out of residence halls. The annual event benefits local charities.
Recycling Signs
Download and post signs to improve our recycling rates and decrease contamination.