Waste Minimization
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle & Compost
Reducing consumption and curbing waste protects ecosystem health and preserves natural resources. From raw material extraction, processing, manufacturing, and distribution— our choices add up.
We can limit our consumption by switching from disposable to durable, reusable items and make ethical and sustainable purchasing decisions, because the best kind of waste is the one that is never created in the first place.
From air and water pollution, deforestation, and habitat destruction- our consumption and disposal decisions impact the well-being of all.
Campus Commitments
Advancing waste reduction at UMD
Campus Race to Zero Waste: Previously RecycleMania, the Campus Race to Zero Waste is an annual competition hosted by the National Wildlife Federation to help colleges and universities advance campus recycling and waste reduction efforts. In the Waste Diversion category of the 2024 competition, UMD ranked second nationally and was the top university in the state of Maryland and in the Big 10.
Can the Can: Facilities Management eliminated thousands of plastic bin liners by providing staff with mini bins for their desk areas. By reducing the size of bins and by no longer offering at-desk bin emptying, staff are encouraged to minimize waste generation. Full size single stream recycling bins and compost bins are provided in most office spaces.
Ocean Friendly Campus Initiative: Starting in 2018, Dining Services’ cafes and shops made the switch from disposable plastic utensils and straws to compostable items to reduce plastic waste. They also offer discounts including 5-cents off for using a reusable bag in a campus convenience shops and 20-cents off in campus cafes with your reusable cup.
Programs
Supporting efforts to help you be conscious consumer and minimize waste
Recycle
Learn how to sort recycling, compost, and waste at UMD and check out recycling FAQs. The Recycling and Solid Waste Unit of Facilities Management offers special materials recycling, bin requests, and collects compost and recycling from across campus. In addition to mixed recycling, the university also offers Special Materials Recycling that must be kept separate from typical recyclables.
Terp to Terp ReUse Store
The Terp to Terp Campus ReUse Store is a free thrift store on campus open to all students. Coordinated by Resident Life, this program collects and distributes unused or gently used small appliances, cooking/kitchen items, room accessories, and school supplies donated throughout the year by students, faculty, and staff. The Move-Out Donation Drive program collects donations from Residence Halls during move-out, to prevent useful items from being trashed.
Terrapin Trader
Terrapin Trader manages the removal of university-owned surplus property in environmentally responsible ways including sales, bids, and auctions. If you’re looking for an inexpensive option to furnish your apartment, home, or business, check out Terrapin Trader. The Terrapin Trader store is open to UMD departments, other state agencies, faculty, staff, students, and the general public.
Compost
Compostable items are anything natural that come from the earth and will decompose over time. This includes food scraps, soiled paper, paper containers, tea bags, coffee grounds, and compostable plastics. Compost collection bins can be found throughout UMD's campus and viewed as a map layer. Please limit contamination by only placing compostable items in these bins.
