Jennifer T. Allen
As University of Kentucky students moved out of campus housing this spring, UK Recycling set a new benchmark for sustainability efforts 鈥� collecting a record 31,110 pounds (15.6 tons) of donations and recyclables through its 2025 move-out initiative. The Give and Go donation drive, which helps divert gently used items from the landfill, hit a new high this year with 26,411 pounds donated, a 35% increase from 2024. The donations included 26,004 pounds of household items and 406 pounds of unopened food.
In a new addition to this year鈥檚 efforts, UK Recycling also collected 4,699 pounds of used mattress toppers for recycling, marking the first time the program has targeted this commonly discarded item. 鈥淭his year鈥檚 results are a direct reflection of our growing partnerships and a campus culture that鈥檚 embracing zero-waste practices,鈥� said Ryan Lark, zero-waste specialist in UK Facilities Management. 鈥淏y expanding donation bins to more fraternity and sorority houses and placing bins near outdoor compactors where vehicles are being loaded, we made it easier for students to donate rather than dump. The support from the UK Grounds and Trucking teams also helped us divert even more usable items.鈥�
UK Recycling, in partnership with UK Housing, has been organizing move-out donation efforts since the fall of 2016, beginning with small bins in residence halls. The program has evolved over the years, expanding to include partnerships with Goodwill Industries and more recently with the fraternity and sorority community. This year marked the second year of fraternity and sorority house participation, and the program saw increases in donations from those locations. 鈥淪tudents are beginning to anticipate the program, especially in the Greek houses, and that鈥檚 making a big impact,鈥� Lark added. 鈥淣ow that they know what to expect, they鈥檙e better prepared to donate.鈥�
Since 2016, UK Recycling鈥檚 Give and Go initiative has collected 158,612 pounds (79.31 tons) of donations, not including mattress toppers. The goal is twofold: to reduce waste and to support the community. All food donations are distributed to the Big Blue Pantry, supporting students facing food insecurity, while clothing and household goods are donated to Goodwill Industries. 鈥淎s a university striving for zero-waste, this program demonstrates how strategic partnerships and student participation can drive meaningful environmental change,鈥澛燣ark said.
For more information, contact Marc Whitt, Director of Media & Strategic Relations, at [email protected].