This spring, UW-Madison diverted over 162,000 pounds of material from the landfill as students moved out of residence halls, including 7,515 pounds of futons and nearly 4,000 pounds of food.
To do this, the university recruits hundreds of student and staff volunteers and collaborates with various departments and community organizations, according to Malorie Garbe, sustainability coordinator for University Housing. Nonperishable food was donated to The River Food Pantry, Goodman Community Center and the on-campus Open Seat food pantry. Sergenian’s Floor Coverings and Reynolds Urethane Recycling took carpet and mattress toppers, Garbe said.