U-M Achieves Record Waste Reduction with 32,000 Pounds of Donations

The University of Michigan collected 32,000+ pounds of reusable goods in an effort to minimize landfill waste.

May 29, 2026

The University of Michigan has significantly reduced landfill waste, collecting over 32,000 pounds of reusable goods during the spring student move-out and limiting landfill waste to only 217 pounds at major commencement events. These waste reduction efforts highlight the university’s commitment to sustainability, focusing on redirecting items from residence halls to campus programs and local nonprofit organizations.

During student move-out, collected items included clothing, bedding, shoes, and household goods, all of which were donated instead of being discarded. This initiative supports community programs, keeping usable materials out of landfills while aiding local organizations.

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Six major university events, with around 9,500 attendees, achieved a 90% waste diversion rate, collecting 1,850 pounds of compost. Alison Richardson, program manager with the Office of Campus Sustainability and Innovation, emphasizes the value in redistributing materials to reduce waste and support local entities.

The university’s longstanding move-out donation program, active for over 25 years, encourages students to donate rather than dispose of items. This year saw the largest collection with 16.2 tons of donations, including 5.6 tons of clothing and 4.7 tons of bedding, benefiting various local nonprofits and the Maize and Blue Cupboard.

A room full of bags of clothing and other donations with people milling about — Tons of clothing and other donations were collected — the largest in 25 years of the student move-out program. (Photo courtesy of the Office of Campus Sustainability and Innovation)

Volunteers from various university sustainability groups helped organize and sort donations. Some items will be stored for future FreeStore events, promoting reuse on campus. OCSI is exploring partnerships to expand these initiatives, aiming to enhance waste reduction during student move-in as well.

A woman holds up an orange and black jacket while standing among many clear bags of donations — Volunteers sorted through the donations. (Photo courtesy of the Office of Campus Sustainability and Innovation)

In conjunction with these efforts, commencement celebrations adhered to zero-waste guidelines, using compostable serviceware and minimizing plastic use. Collaborations between university departments facilitated compost collection, further reducing landfill contributions. Michigan Dining’s commitment to sustainability aligns with these practices, avoiding single-use plastics.

People sort through clear bags of clothes — Some items will be stored over the summer and redistributed to students during FreeStore events in the fall, helping keep usable materials in circulation on campus. (Photo courtesy of the Office of Campus Sustainability and Innovation)

Graduation receptions across various schools benefited from sustainable catering practices. Nicole Berg from the Office of Campus Sustainability and Innovation acknowledges the importance of these partnerships in reducing landfill waste during major university events.

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