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Ditch the Dumpster

Our Mission

Ditch the Dumpster diverts waste from the landfill, supports local non-profits and teaches the ASU community about proper recycling and reuse.

Every year ASU students moving on or off campus realize they have accumulated more stuff than they need or have space for. Many of those items do not belong in the landfill.

Ditch the Dumpster allows for reuse, repurpose or recycling of those items. 

Achievements

Students that moved out of residence halls in spring 2019 donated 66,740 pounds of material to community organizations to be repurposed, 7,425 pounds more than 2018. Our goal for the next Ditch the Dumpster is to surpass last year's number. 

Contact

Email the Ditch the Dumpster team.

Move-in tips

Ask for help. Volunteers can show you how and where to recycle in your dorm.

  • Break down and flatten your boxes, to take up less room, before recycling them.
  • Check behind your room door for a sheet that details recyclable and non-recyclable items.
  • Do not use boxes as trash bins to carry stuff.
    • If you do, make sure to empty, flatten and place boxes in the correct receptacle.
  • Use reusable containers, or save your flattened boxes for use during move-out.
  • Use the blue recycling bin in your room.
  • Styrofoam can be recycled next to compactors or large recycling bins.

Move-out tips

  • Create a three-bin system.
    • Donate.
    • Landfill.
    • Recycle.
  • Start early; donation bins available April 22, 2019.
  • Talk to your CA if you have questions or email the Ditch the Dumpster team.

Recycle at move-out:

In addition to the normal year-round co-mingled recycling location, look for additional labeled recycling bins around the residence halls. 

What to Donate

During move-out 

Drop off larger, fragile or potentially messy items large collection areas. These items include:

  • Books, hangers and storage bins.

  • Clothing, shoes and accessories.

  • Furniture.

  • Lamps and egg-crate mattress pads.

  • Larger appliances and electronics (usable or not).

  • Linens, drapery, towels, bedding and stuffed animals.

  • Sealed detergents or cleansers.

  • Smaller household goods.

  • Unopened, non-perishable food.

Year-round

Drop off your smaller items in the Big Brothers Big Sisters collection boxes. These items include:

  • Books, hangers and storage bins.

  • Clothing, shoes and accessories.

  • Linens, drapery, towels, bedding and stuffed animals.

  • Smaller household goods.

Medication disposal - safely dispose of expired prescription drugs and vitamins at these locations: 

  • Downtown | Phoenix Police Department, 620 W. Washington Street Phoenix, AZ 85003
  • Polytechnic | Walgreens, 4766 E. Queen Creek Rd. Gilbert, AZ 85297
  • Tempe | ASU Police, 325 East Apache Blvd. Tempe, AZ 85281
  • West | Phoenix Police Department – Cactus Park Precinct, 12220 N. 39th Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85029

 

Where to Donate 

Tempe Campus

Residence Hall Indoor Location Outdoor Location
Adelphi I Adelphi II Community Room Sunset Circle - traffic circle next to the Community Room
Adelphi II Adelphi II Community Room Sunset Circle - traffic circle next to the Community Room
Barrett Cereus and Cottonwood trash rooms; food donations accepted at Barrett front desk N/A
Center Complex Best Hall laundry room Northeast courtyard, Irish Hall B - close to Lemon Street
Greek Leadership Village Greek Leadership Community Center N/A
Hassayampa East HAV H1 lounge Outside east dining hall - close to Lemon Street 
Hassayampa West HAV E1 lounge Courtyard near HAV A
Manzanita Hall

Hallway outside multipurpose room - first floor

 West entrance near front desk
McClintock Hall First-floor lounge East side of building 
Palo Verde East Main lobby North side of building near landfill and recycling compactors 
Palo Verde West Main lobby North side of building near landfill and recycling compactors
San Pablo First-floor lounge by front desk West side of building 
Sonora Center Hallway outside of the conference room, between desk and clinic South side parking lot, front parking lot 
Sun Devil Fitness Complex N/A West of the main entrance of SDFC
Tooker House Community lounges on floors 3, 5 and 7 PV East or West outdoor location
University Towers Covered part of courtyard next to office Southwest patio near pool
Vista Del Sol Vista del Sol Community Center near theater N/A
Villas at Vista Vista del Sol Community Center near theater N/A

West Campus

Residence Hall Indoor Location Outdoor Location
Casa de  Oro First-floor trash room and west study lounge West side of building, parking lot 19
Las Casas Community center lobby Southeast exit, near trash zone 

Downtown Campus

Residence Hall Indoor Location Outdoor Location
Taylor Place

Lobby outside of management office

 N/A

Polytechnic Campus

Residence Hall Indoor Location Outdoor Location
Century Hall Main lobby, first floor West entrance
North Desert Village N/A Corner of E Thunderbolt Ave & S Sterling Ave 
Palo Blanco Community Lounge N/A
Phantom Hall Lounge in room 31 Phantom east end of the hall
South Desert Village N/A Corner of Clearview Street and Ventana Avenue

Community Partners

ASU partners with several local charities and nonprofits to donate items collected during Ditch the Dumpster.