HOUSING SUSTAINABILITY
Go for the Green
Go for the Green is an energy-saving competition between residential communities at Western. During a set period, communities compete to see who can reduce the most energy consumption compared to previous years. Learn more at Go for the Green!
Our Mission
The Housing Sustainability program aims to provide on-campus residents with educational programming and initiatives that value and prioritize sustainability in the residential experience. In alignment with Western’s Sustainability Action Plan and University Residences Initiative for Student Engagement (URISE), our programming is designed to prepare students for life after on-campus living, educate students on sustainability, reduce on-campus waste, and help students save money through programs like the Resident Checkout Program.
Western's Sustainability Action Plan
"Western inspires graduates who create a sustainable world by integrating social, economic, and ecological justice (SEE) practices into their lives..." and fosters "an appreciation and understanding of the impact of human choices on people around the world and the planet itself."
Jump to:
Education and Engagement
Western’s Sustainability Action Plan, adopted in September 2017, guides action and promotes accountability for sustainability initiatives around campus. Residence hall education aims to improve student's understanding of wellness in line with the Sustainability Action Plan’s four “pillars”, by expanding student's awareness of how local actions can impact global ecology, social equity, economic vitality, and human health.
The goal of Housing Sustainability's educational programming is to prepare on-campus residents for life beyond Western by providing resources that can build habits to save money, make a positive impact on the environment, and promote personal wellness. By combining educational and interactive activities, we offer on-campus residents a holistic sustainability education alongside their residence hall experience.
Education and engagement in the residence halls use sustainability education to build inclusive communities through interactive activities, aid in career preparedness by promoting critical thinking and promote personal wellness, all in line with URISE's goals for on-campus communities.
Upcoming Events
Sustainable Transportation
WHEN: Apr 15, 2026 from 6-7pm
WHERE: Ridge Commons Lounge
Join Transportation Services for a conversation about sustainable transportation! We’ll gather resident feedback & share info about current bike transportation options on campus.
Sustainability Symposium
WHEN: Apr 21, 2026, multiple sessions between 12-5pm, virtual option also available
WHERE: Viking Union MPR
The sustainability symposium will have 4 sessions focused on focused on waste and energy. Students can attend multiple (or all!). Visit Go for the Green for session descriptions.
Thrift Swap
WHEN: Apr 23, 2026 from 4-6pm
WHERE: Clark Glass 4th floor MPR
Swap event! Donate and/or exchange clothes, books, plants, etc. with other students! In addition, browse items available courtesy of the Western Worn Community Closet.
Food Drive
WHEN: Donation period is Apr 18-May 15
WHERE: Donation bins in each community: map of donation locations
Support food insecurity by donating goods that will be provided to Western’s WHOLE Food Pantry.
Past Events Highlight
Residence Hall Reuse Program
Visit our Resident Checkout Program page to learn more!
Choose to Reuse before buying new and keep unwanted items out of the landfill. The Residence Hall Reuse Program (RHRP) increases the accessibility and affordability of higher education for underrepresented residents. RHRP prioritizes access to free rentals of donated room essentials for high-need students (first-generation, etc.).
Since its start in Fall 2020, the Residence Hall Reuse Program has equipped over 600 residents with more than 1,100 items diverted from the landfill. Non-returning residents are encouraged to donate their room essentials during move-out for future residents.
Participants understand:
- How circular borrowing can impact their consumption habits
- Why diverting unwanted items from waste streams can improve the well-being of our community and planet.
New to RHRP: Bikes abandoned within University Residences are reclaimed and repaired to working condition through the WWU Outdoor Center, equipped with grant-funded helmets and locks, and then rented to residents at no cost for the academic year.
All Things Waste
Western's 3 Waste Streams
Get familiar with Western's three waste streams: recycling, composting, and landfill.
Recycling is split into two categories, commingled and cardboard.
- Commingled recycling: all plastic, tin, aluminum, glass & mixed paper go in one drop-off container. Make sure everything is clean, empty and dry before placing in the container. Recycling containers are labeled for ‘commingled recycling’ & have a sorting poster as well to help you!
- Cardboard only: for corrugated (thick) cardboard, flatten/collapse it and place it in the cardboard only dumpster. The dumpster will be labeled clearly!
Common Contaminants!
Styrofoam, plastic binding and plastic bags are landfill, so be sure to place these in the trash. If you see containers out for plastic film during move in, you can place your film there for recycling!
Commingled Recycling
- Plastic: clean, rigid plastic bottles, cups, jugs and tubs
- Tin & aluminum: clean aluminum & tin cans
- Glass: clean glass bottles & jars
- Mixed paper: paperboard, paper bags, newspaper, office paper
Cardboard Only Dumpsters
- Flattened cardboard: only corrugated (thick) cardboard that has been flattened/collapsed
Landfill/Garbage Dumpsters
Everything you cannot compost or recycle goes into the landfill dumpster.
- Styrofoam, plastic binding and plastic bags are landfill, so be sure to place these in the trash.
All waste bins are clearly labeled as commingled, cardboard only, compost, or landfill and have a sorting poster!
Commingled Recycling Toters
Cardboard Only Recycling
Compost/Food Waste Toters
Garbage/Landfill Dumpsters
Unsure of where to sort an item? Use the Waste Wise Guide to search for items and find out which container to use.
Composting Tips
- It’s important to compost correctly; contaminated compost toters will go into landfill. Be sure to pay attention when tossing compost into a toter/bin—double check the label and make sure you're placing your compost in the correct one.
- Each resident's room/suite is equipped with a composting bucket and a roll of biodegradable liners!
- Food scraps and uncoated paper and cardboard can be composted.
- When determining if a material is compostable or not, look for one or more of the following: the word 'compostable,' green, beige, or brown color, tint, or stripe, compostable labels.
| ✔ COMPOSTABLE | ✗ NOT COMPOSTABLE |
| Vegetables, fruit (all parts) | PLU stickers (labels on vegetables & fruits) |
| Meat, bones | Fat, grease, excessive oil |
| Coffee filters, tea bags (remove staples) | Rubber bands & twist ties |
| Coffee grounds | Plastic, metal |
| Dairy | Plastic-coated paper (paper cups, some takeout containers) |
| Compostable plates, utensils, takeout boxes with proper labels | Food soiled plastic |
| Food soiled, uncoated paper & cardboard | Pet waste |
Look for this poster on the compost toters to help you compost!
Compostable labels:
How to Sort Waste in Your Room
All residents will receive a recycling bin, compost bin and liners, a trash can, and waste sorting guide for their room. We recommend:
- Hanging the waste sorting guide above the bins to reference while sorting
- Placing corrugated cardboard behind the bin
- Double bagging your compost toter, emptying it weekly and rinsing between uses
- If in doubt, use the Waste Wise Guide!
Waste Dropoff Areas
Not sure where the nearest waste sorting area is to your residence hall? Click from the menu below for a map of garbage, compost, and recycling depots.
Program Benefits
- Develops practices that build autonomy and prepare students for off-campus living.
- Promotes a consistent culture of sustainable waste management across campus.
- Pairs with educational programming to increase awareness on the social, economic, and ecological benefits of composting.
- Reduces landfill waste, which diminishes greenhouse gasses released by landfills and protects ecosystems near landfills.
- Converts potential landfill waste into a useful product sold in local communities.
Opting Out:
Residence hall composting is an “opt-out” program, which means all residents will automatically be supplied with the resources to compost successfully on campus. However, if residents choose not to compost, they are encouraged to keep their clean, empty bin stored in their room, such as in a closet or under a bed. Damage or loss of compost bins will result in a fine to your Western Account.
Contact Us
Have questions about our programs or offerings? Email us at residencesfacilities@wwu.edu.