ASU to Ditch the Dumpster starting next week

For a ninth consecutive year, Arizona State University is organizing an effort to help local students, families and organizations.

Starting on Monday, April 24 — two days after Earth Day — ASU students can "Ditch the Dumpster" by donating or recycling unwanted items as they are moving out of their residence hall towards the end of the school year. This year's event will run through May 12, and for the second consecutive year, every pound donated and recycled will generate scholarships through the Tempe Dollars for Scholars program.

"It's a great program," said Katie Schumacher, the ASU Zero Waste senior program coordinator. "We provide students on campus with opportunities to donate and divert items from the landfill as they move out. The program also brings together many departments across the university, including University Housing, Zero Waste, Grounds Services and ASU Police."

In addition to the new scholarship effort, ASU is also starting a donation bag system on the Tempe campus. Goodwill, one of the six outside sponsors of the initiative, has contributed 10,000 bags that will be handed out to Tempe residents for the sole purpose of donations. 

It's no coincidence that the creative attempt at recycling comes from the only university in the country with a school dedicated to sustainability.

According to Schumacher, limiting landfill waste is a big reason why ASU holds this event each year.

"Ditch the Dumpster fits most closely in with the university zero waste goal, which is one of four sustainability goals," Schumacher said. "This program provides students with an opportunity to divert material away from the landfill and put it directly into reuse within the surrounding community, ultimately supporting the goal of waste diversion from the landfill."

A total of 523 tons has been diverted from the landfill throughout the history of this event. Questions can be sent to ditchthedumpser@asu.edu.