Zero Waste
A goal of Sustainability Next is to reach zero-waste by 2050. Strategies to reach this goal include recycling, composting, reuse, sustainable procurement, and green labs.
Learn more about how you can contribute to our goal of becoming zero-waste by exploring the topics below.
Recycling
Recycling is an essential component of sustainable operations at Georgia Tech through the Office of Solid Waste Management & Recycling (OSWM&R). Our comprehensive recycling program is upheld by the contribution of all students and staff. Explore which materials are recyclable and where you can recycle them on campus here.
Composting
Composting organic material reduces greenhouse gas emissions and can be used to amend soil, thereby increasing drought tolerance, improving soil structure and health, and reducing the need for water and fertilizers.
Georgia Tech Dining sponsors a campus-wide composting program where unavoidable food waste is composted. On-campus residence halls also offer multiple compost collection locations and services. Find out more about what you can compost and where here.
Reuse
Examples of our reuse programs include The Revolving Closet at the Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design and Green Goodbyes.
The Revolving Closet is a Georgia Tech community resource developed in response to textile waste created by “fast fashion” and students needs for affordable clothing options; the closet allows anyone to take and/or donate clothes anytime during Kendeda Building hours. The Revolving Closet also has a textile recycling bin where old, damaged garments can be recycled.
Green Goodbyes is our move-out program where students are encouraged to donate usable items, supporting fellow Yellow Jackets, and reducing waste. First-year students can choose free, donated items from us instead of buying new ones, promoting sustainability in campus living.
The Georgia Tech Office of Sustainability, working in collaboration with campus partners, has developed “big-picture” strategies modeled on systems used at the nation’s most successful zero-waste institutions.
These operational and infrastructure changes include:
- Creating a sustainable procurement policy for campus
- Transitioning to a simplified, universal three-bin waste system across campus
- Establishing a campus reuse center for surplus goods and donated items
- Implementing single stream recycling and campuswide pallet recycling
- Implementing onsite composting and right sizing our third-party vendor compost collection
- Keeping existing, successful approaches (such as our office paper and cardboard recycling programs, which already have clean streams and high capture rates)