University of Wisconsin–Madison

Tag: University Housing

Sustainability Conversations Across the Big Ten: University of Washington

The latest episode of The SustainUW Podcast miniseries, Sustainability Conversations Across the Big Ten, turns west to the University of Washington to explore how a large, multi-campus institution moves sustainability from planning to practice. Hosts John Ernst and Ren Nickel spoke with Daimon Eklund, communications manager for the University of Washington Sustainability Office, and Emily …

Six Ideas for a Sustainable Move-In

Make your move in more sustainable with these tips! Whether you are living in one of our on-campus residence halls or off-campus, these tips will help you reduce waste and move in sustainably. 1. Plan ahead Plan ahead to avoid bringing extra or unnecessary items! Coordinate with your roommates to see if they’re already bringing …

Bird-Safe Glass Partnerships Take Flight

There’s a certain magic to Madison in May. Campus exhales, nature shows off, and for a few weeks, the whole city seems to shift. It’s graduation season, and peak spring migration. And while the spotlight tends to fall on those moving on, it’s also a good time to notice who’s passing through. Each spring and …

UW–Madison deploys AI recycling assistants to support waste reduction goals 

The University of Wisconsin–Madison has deployed four state-of-the-art AI recycling assistants called “Oscar Sort” (“Oscars”) across campus, marking an exciting step in the university’s commitment to sustainable operations, education, and research.   The Oscars, which use technology developed by the company Intuitive AI, combine waste bins with interactive, digital displays that are designed to make waste …

From zero waste meals to a dance-filled harvest festival, Sustain-a-Bash shows the vibrancy of sustainability at UW

Late last month, you may have seen UW-Madison’s Bucky the Badger dancing from Library Mall to Gordon Lawn, members of the marching band in tow with trumpets and drums, and students marching with signs that read slogans like, “Sustainability? Very Demure” and “Melt My Heart. Not My Planet.”   The march ended on Gordon Lawn for the …

Grounds for Change: UW–Madison Launches Organic Landscape Management Pilot Project

This fall, UW–Madison is launching an organic landscape management pilot project that will transition four prominent campus areas—Library Mall, Henry Mall, Ogg Residence Hall, and the Divine Nine Plaza—to organic landscaping methods. Over the next three years, students, Grounds, and faculty experts will work together to test and refine the management process, with the goal …

10 Years Strong: A Celebration of Sustain-A-Bash

Sustain-A-Bash began in 2014 to introduce first-year students to the sustainability initiatives in University Housing. Ten years later, it serves as a celebration of sustainability on campus.

How UW–Madison moves out sustainably

When Malorie Garbe became the Sustainability Coordinator for University Housing in July 2020, she faced a unique experience with Sustainability Move Out. Her predecessor, Breana Nehls, had developed the program to donate or recycle as many belongings as possible when first-year students departed the residence halls at the end of the spring semester. But in …

Sustain-a-Bash celebrates campus sustainability community

On Friday, September 16, on East Campus Mall, a group of students congregated around a bicycle. One pedaled at full speed while the other held down a blender jar to get the smoothie going. A crowd of friends surrounded them, cheering, and enjoyed smoothie shots shortly after.  The blender bike was a main attraction at …

Composting trial restarts at UW–Madison

As of August 2022, UW–Madison has relaunched a food waste collection program on a trial-run basis. After receiving tremendous support from the campus community following the cessation of the previous composting program, the UW Zero Waste team convened members from participating facilities, haulers, and a processor in order to find a solution to the composting …