As the new year begins to unfold, I’m sure many of you have made a commitment to a New Year’s resolution, whether it’s to save money or lead a more sustainable lifestyle. Well, I am happy to tell you that thrift shopping is one of the easiest ways to do both! Opting to go to a second-hand or thrift store … Read More
Last month, I had the opportunity to volunteer at the University of Michigan’s Campus Move-Out Donation sorting—a behind-the-scenes space that quietly holds stories of excess, care, and possibility. As I sifted through the things students had chosen to part with, I found myself pausing: a half-used journal with a single, powerful quote on the first page—“You are becoming the person … Read More
The University of Michigan Lab Reuse Program is a testament to the university’s commitment to being environmentally sustainable through redistributing unused laboratory materials. This initiative aims to reduce lab waste and increase the utilization of resources. As a large research institution, lab work has a huge environmental impact on our campus and on campuses around the country. Previously known as … Read More
John Berger has been working as a custodian at the University of Michigan-Dearborn campus for 14 years, and in that time, he’s gained a reputation for always going the extra mile when it comes to proper waste disposal— literally. In his own words, “I’ve been known to carry a banana peel all the way from the other side of the … Read More
In 2016, the University of Michigan set an ambitious goal to achieve zero waste at home football games and divert 90% of game day waste from the landfill. The Zero Waste Stadium Program launched in the 2017 season as a collaboration among Athletics, the Office of Campus Sustainability, U-M Waste Management Services, campus sustainability partners, volunteers, and stadium concessions. Now … Read More
Back in February, I had the opportunity to chat with Alison Richardson and Anya Dale from the Office of Campus Sustainability about a large-scale waste audit they were organizing. Check out Part 1 of this blog post series to read what we talked about in terms of the set up and purpose for the audit. Since that time, Resource Recycling … Read More
From Bustling Dorms to Overflowing Donation Bins Every spring, as the academic year wraps up, the University of Michigan undergoes a remarkable transformation. Dorms that were once filled with the buzz of student life now hum with a different kind of activity—move-out chaos. Amidst the flurry of packing and farewells during my freshman year, a simple question from an upperclassman … Read More
On a crisp Tuesday morning in February, I was able to join Anya Dale and Alison Richardson up on north campus to witness part of the large-scale waste audit they have been organizing. A waste audit is a way to determine how much waste is being produced, what types of waste are being generated, and which bins—landfill, recycling, or compost—people … Read More
This time of year, U-M students across campus are busy with final papers, exams, and team projects that are due before the end of the school year. They are wrapping up their academic endeavors for the semester, and are focused on representing what they have learned through their courses to the best of their abilities. One thing that tends to … Read More
Recently, I went to the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology to complete their “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” self-guided tour. The Kelsey is a short walk down State Street, just past the Union, and is a great place to explore on a dreary winter day. Taking the tour was relatively easy, as admission to the museum is free and the tour pamphlets are … Read More
