Have you ever had waste to discard on campus and thought, “Wait, does this go in the compost? Recycling? Is this can or bottle even able to be recycled?” You’re not alone and the University of Minnesota is working hard to make these choices easier while aiming for zero waste.
The goal is to divert 90% of campus waste away from landfills by composting or recycling it instead. It’s a collaborative effort, and student, faculty, and staff input is essential. That’s where you come in.
Why does this matter?
Waste plays a big role in our environmental impact, and we can do a better job at determining what ends up in the trash truly is meant to be in a landfill. At the University of Minnesota, about 60% of what we throw away could actually be recycled or composted. By sorting waste correctly and being more mindful about what we toss, we can ensure recyclable materials stay out of the landfill.
How can you get involved?
Give feedback! Have ideas for better bin signage? Confused by current sorting? The team at UMN Facilities Management wants to hear from you! Sharing what’s confusing or what could be better helps them make real changes.
Want to learn more or get involved? Check out the Zero Waste page and see how you can become part of the conversation.
🌱 Shape Sustainability Stories at UMN
📣 We want to hear from you! Help us better understand what kinds of sustainability stories and social media content are most useful, engaging, and exciting to our campus community. The short survey takes about 5 minutes to complete and is open to all. Enter your email at the end for a chance to win a $25 Visa gift card!
Thanks for helping us build a stronger, more connected sustainability community at the U! Learn more
"Illicit discharges are considered 'illicit' because MS4s are not designed to accept, process, or discharge such non-stormwater wastes." (EPA) As water runs down the street into storm drains, contaminated with illicit discharge (such as cigarette butts, trash, salt, vehicle fluids, or yard waste) from the street, it flows back down through the stormwater system and back into the river. Learn how you can help or report illicit discharge on campus.
Collective action works—and this spring’s Campus Conservation Competition proved it. Over 140 students across 11 residence halls joined the effort to reduce energy use, and the results were clear: small actions added up to real, measurable change. Students led the charge, raising awareness and cutting consumption in just three weeks. The numbers speak for themselves! Read more
Facilities Management staff: Join us for an Electric Vehicle Test Drive event!
Test drive hybrid and fully electric vehicles that could fit your department's needs. Fleet Services and Office of Sustainability staff will be onsite to answer your questions.
Wednesday, May 7th, 11:00am - 1:30pm
Fleet Services (901 29th Ave SE, Minneapolis)
Refreshments provided!
Share this event: z.umn.edu/EVtestdrive
The UMN Office of Sustainability and Campus Cleanup Crew are joining for a Stormwater Cleanup event focused on protecting our environment and keeping campus beautiful. Taking place at Knoll Park outside Peik Hall, we invite students to learn about stormwater's impact while taking direct action through litter cleanup. It's the perfect way to give back and get involved! 🌎
Not sure where your waste goes on campus? You’re not alone. The University of Minnesota is working to divert 90% of waste from landfills through recycling and composting. Nearly 60% of trash could be sorted better—your choices matter. Want to help UMN go zero waste? Get involved and join the conversation today. Learn more and take the survey.
April is Earth Month! Check out our frequently updated list of events to get involved. Check it out.
Have an event to share? Email us.
In 2024, the University of Minnesota Twin Cities achieved 9,864,660 kilowatt hours in electricity savings, surpassing the highest level of conservation goal set by Xcel Energy. That’s enough electricity to power 1,100 average Minnesota homes for a year and avoid 7.6 million pounds of CO2 emissions. As a result of our efforts through energy projects on campus, the University received $724,815 in rebates, plus an additional $147,246 for reaching our goal. The rebate ultimately goes back into a cycle within the University, allowing us to continue investing in energy reduction and working to reduce our energy use. The pie chart below highlights where these savings came from, with Lighting (35%) and HVAC (24%) contributing the most. Thanks to Energy Management and all who support these efforts!
Do you have input regarding the University of Minnesota Twin Cities' Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program?