Waste, Recycling & Compost

Waste Website

Lafayette works to educate on reducing, reusing and rethinking before properly disposing of items on campus. Waste, recycling, and composting streams are available across campus, including specialty recycling for hard to dispose of items like snack wrappers, beauty and oral products and batteries and electronics.

Learn what goes in which bin on campus.

Initiatives

Campus Thrift Store

Instead of buying new, students are encouraged to shop for household goods and school supplies at our student-run Campus Thrift Store. Items are sold through a pay-what-you-can model, meaning students set the price that works for their budget at checkout. The Thrift Store is currently located in Pardee Hall basement.

Learn more about what’s available and store hours.

Reusable Clamshell Program

At all-you-care-to-eat dining halls (Upper and Marquis), students are able to take food to-go in a reusable clamshell container, decreasing disposables on campus. Just ask for one at the swipe kiosk and return it dirty for a new one.

Get your reusable clamshell.

Refill Culture

Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to bring their own water bottles and mugs to campus. 60 water bottle refill stations across campus make it easy and convenient to refill reusable water bottles, removing the need for disposable plastic bottles. Additionally, several retail locations allow reusable mugs, some with incentives.

Where you can use your Sustainable Punch Card and get discounts.

Impact Programming

Green Move In & Out

Lafayette diverts 10+ tons of material from the landfill during Green Move In and Green Move Out programming. Recycle packing materials during move in and donate clean, gently used items and non-perishable foods during move out. These items are redistributed to our campus and local communities.

Learn more about Green Move In and Green Move Out.

Campus Race to Zero Waste

Lafayette participates in this national competition to decrease waste on college campuses, including a Game Day Challenge Football and Basketball game event, as well as an 8-week challenge to track and reduce waste on campus in the spring.

Learn more about the competition.

Decreasing Student & Employee Waste

In advance of the bin, Lafayette students, faculty and staff should reuse what they have. Some simple tips include shopping locally, requesting minimal packaging or buying items with recycled content.

Students can learn more tips to reducing waste through the Sustainable Living Certificate, and faculty and staff are encouraged to participate in the Sustainable Office Program.