A Campus Waste Reduction Program

A Campus Waste Reduction Program

Josie Flatgard, University of South Dakota
Kriston Lynn, University of South Dakota
Andrew Phelps, University of South Dakota
Mashaya Thompson, University of South Dakota
Rebecca Torres, University of South Dakota

Description

According to ChasingGreen.org, “the average college student produces 640 pounds of solid waste each year, most of which accumulates when that student prepares to move out of their dorm or house at the end of term.” Furthermore, Tufts University, which is very similar in size to the University of South Dakota, claims there is a significant rise in solid waste generated on campus at the end of the year - nearly one third of the amount of waste left for the entire year.

The goal of the Give and Go program is to reduce this waste by creating an easy way for students to donate reusable items that they had planned on throwing away. The program will collect the items and redistribute to them to the community - to outlets like the Habitat for Humanity, Goodwill, the Vermillion Food Pantry, and so on.