Recycling, Compost & Waste

The first Accelerator Showcase hosted by NextCycle Washington is happening in Kane Hall on March 23. The showcase will feature 15 Washington-based business and organizations pitching reuse, repair, recycling, and composting projects. Teams are competing for monetary awards, as well as recognition and networking opportunities.

UW Sustainability's "In Our Nature" podcast's latest episode is a discussion with UW Recycling's Adam Fehn. Adam joined us for a discussion on how to properly recycle and compost, as well as waste reduction goals and efforts at the University of Washington.

Learn more about UW Recycling on their website or follow @uwrecycling on Instagram.

The PreCycle Innovation Challenge offers free training and cash prizes for students who have an idea to reduce waste in Washington through innovative entrepreneurship.

Campus Race to Zero Waste (CRZW) starts this week at the University of Washington! For the eleventh year, the UW will be participating in the friendly recycling and waste reduction competition between colleges and universities. As part of CRZW, UW Recycling is organizing activities to focus on good waste sorting practices. Here are some ways you can get involved.

UW Recycling is excited to host another Trash Art Contest for 2023!

Categories include literature, 2D and 3D art. Participants must create an art piece from items normally thought of as trash or a literary piece about waste. Art pieces should express feelings or ideas about waste, or a sustainability topic that relates to waste. This contest is open to all UW students, faculty and staff.

Submissions are due March 22, 2023 at 4 p.m. PST. Winners for each category will receive $100 or $50 gift cards to a low waste store.

The University of Washington has recently been recognized as a national leader for its sustainability performance, particularly in the areas of purchasing and transportation.

The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) 2022 Sustainable Campus Index named the UW second overall, and first among doctoral universities, for sustainable purchasing. The UW was also ninth overall, and fourth among U.S. schools, for sustainable transportation.

The UW has a new partner for batteries. Batteries Plus has a contract with the University providing recycling and disposal along with offering batteries for purchase. 

UW students living in the North campus neighborhood can get rid of unwanted items for free during the Husky Neighborhood Cleanup. On Thursday, August 25 and Tuesday, September 27 trucks will be on site accepting items for donation, recycling or disposal. Recycling and disposal trucks will also be available on Monday, September 25, but the donation vendor will not be available that day.

A UW student Husky card will be required to drop off material.

Accepted items include:

UW students moving out in the north campus neighborhood can drop off unwanted items for free recycling, donation and disposal this week. 

UW Recycling's Husky Neighborhood Cleanup provides an easy way to get rid of your unwanted items during moveout. Trucks will be at 17th Ave NE & NE 47th St. on Thursday, June 9; Monday, June 13; and Tuesday, June 14 from 1-5 p.m. or until trucks are full. A UW student ID card is required to drop off items.

If you are moving out of an HFS residence hall or apartment, you can donate certain items through the UW’s SCRAM (Student Cleanup, Recycle and Moveout) event. Donations will go to various local organizations including the UW Food Pantry, Northwest Center and DESC. The event runs from June 6-11, 2022. Only HFS residents can donate during SCRAM.