Sustainable Move Out

Every year, over 8,000 students move out of the University Residence Halls along with the many items that helped their hall feel like home. Through collaboration with 21+ campus and community partners, Housing helps residents and their families say goodbye sustainably to items they no longer need. Sustainable Move Out diverts waste from the landfill, educates event participants on sustainable behaviors, and supports the goals of campus and community donation partners.

What Can be Donated or Recycled?

Things That Can Be Donated

Futons, furniture, and rugs in good condition
Books
School supplies
Nonperishable food
General (clothes, shoes, housewares)
Pillows
Microwaves
Working electronics

Things That Can Be Recycled

Plastic bags
Metal
Broken electronics
Broken wood or metal futons
Unwanted carpet, pillows & mattress toppers
Recycling (cans, glass, mixed paper, cardboard, & plastic containers #1-7)

Impact

In 2024, 174 volunteers worked to divert over 162,556 pounds of material from the landfill! Of those 174 volunteers, over 90% were students. UW–Madison students and staff are dedicated to living sustainably!

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2024 Sustainable Move Out Infographic

Connect With Us

Volunteer Opportunities

Join us in making a difference! We are looking for student, faculty, and staff volunteers to help us move and sort through items during the move-out process.

We also have year-round opportunities for any member of the UW-Madison community to assist with daily operations, Campus Dining Farm, and promoting sustainability programs around campus. We’d love to have you on board!

Get involved with #BadgersLiveSustainably

Check back in mid-March for a volunteer sign up or contact sustainability@housing.wisc.edu to get involved!