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.
Thank you for your interest. This survey is now closed.
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.
Join us this spring for three Sustainability Coffee Chats featuring new campus facilities, plans, and clean energy projects shaping the University of Minnesota’s sustainable future.
- ☕ Flipping into the Future: NEW Gymnastics Performance Facility
Wednesday, February 11, 2026, 9:30-10:30 a.m. (virtual) - ☕ NEW UMN Zero Waste Plan (in person!) (Register)
Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 9:30-11:00 a.m., RecWell Multipurpose Room 7 - ☕ NEW On-Campus Solar (Register)
Wednesday, April 8, 2026 | 9:00-10:00 a.m. (virtual)
Do you have input regarding the University of Minnesota Twin Cities' Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program? Submit your feedback using this public comment form, open year-round. Learn more about the U of M stormwater program.
The Office of Sustainability and Parking and Transportation Services launched our new hybrid electric buses with fall festivities! You will see three of the hybrid electric buses around campus currently, with five more coming this winter. We are always working to lower emissions as part of our Climate Action Plan. 🔋🔌 These buses are about three to four times more efficient overall than the standard campus buses. They use EV mode in more congested areas on campus and they recharge with regenerative braking between Minneapolis and St. Paul campuses and in less congested areas. Take a ride to see for yourself! 🚌 Click to read more details
Two Spring Break study abroad programs are now open for students interested in sustainability and global health. Spend March 6–15, 2026 exploring Green Chemistry in Guatemala or The Intersection of Health and the Environment in Ecuador. Both programs connect to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and include an on-campus course. Apply by December 1, 2025, with a $1,000 fee reduction for the first 10 confirmed students per program. Click to read the full article
We’re hiring a Student Sustainability Communications Assistant! Open to undergrads passionate about sustainability, social media, writing, and graphic design. Help advance campus sustainability and engagement through communications! 👉 Apply: Search Job ID: 370820 in the Student Job section.
The Office of Sustainability is rethinking how we engage our campus—and we need your perspective. Spend 2 minutes on this quick survey to help us create impactful events and programs that reflect what you care about. Take the survey.
Join us on Wednesday, November 5 for the official launch of our new hybrid electric campus buses! Stop by on Church St. outside Morrill Hall from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. for games, prizes, and cider. Take a guided tour of one of the new buses and learn about University of Minnesota sustainability initiatives, the Climate Action Plan, and campus bus routes. See you there! 🍁🎉🔋🔌🚌
For the first time, the University of Minnesota's Huntington Bank Stadium achieved zero waste–recovering an incredible 90% of waste (46,000 pounds) generated during the Farm Aid 40 concert. Learn about Gopher Athletics sustainability efforts
Join us for conversations on campus sustainability and climate action! This fall, we’ll explore two timely topics:
- Electrifying our Fleet – Wed, Oct 15 · 10–11am
Hear from UMN experts about recent progress and future plans for electrifying campus vehicles. - Net Zero Buildings – Tue, Nov 11 · 9–10am
Learn from UMN leaders and Darcy Solutions about designing and building net zero facilities, including the new Collections Facility powered by solar and a geothermal Darcy Well.
Free and open to the public on Zoom. More info
Is your lab interested in participating in the next cohort of the Green Labs Certification Program? Want to learn more about the program? Curious about how to operate your lab more sustainably? Join the informal, one hour info session on Zoom! Reach out to Carley Rice, Sustainability Coordinator, with any questions.
Zoom Info Session: Wednesday 9/17/25, 12:00-1:00pm