Be classy. Not trashy.

Ditch the Dumpster

Our mission

Ditch the Dumpster diverts waste from landfills, 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.

Contact

Email the Ditch the Dumpster team.

Tips

Move-in

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

  • Create a three-bin system.
    • Donate.
    • Landfill.
    • Recycle.
  • Start early; donation bins available on Earth Day: April 22.
  • 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 | 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 Valley | Phoenix Police Department – Cactus Park Precinct, 12220 N. 39th Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85029

 

Where to donate 

Residence hall recycling maps

Tempe campus

Residence Hall Indoor Location Outdoor Location Year-round Location
Adelphi I  Under the awning by building 157F Sunset Circle - traffic circle next to the Community Room Map
Adelphi II Under the awning by building 157F Sunset Circle - traffic circle next to the Community Room Map
Barrett Cereus and Cottonwood trash rooms; food donations accepted at Barrett front desk N/A Map
Center Complex Best Hall laundry room Northeast courtyard, Irish Hall B - close to Lemon Street Map
Greek Leadership Village Greek Leadership Community Center N/A Map
Hassayampa East HAV H1 lounge Outside east dining hall - close to Lemon Street  Map
Hassayampa West HAV E1 lounge Courtyard near HAV A Map
Manzanita Hall

Hallway outside multipurpose room - first floor

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

West Valley campus

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

Downtown Phoenix campus

Residence Hall Indoor Location Outdoor Location Year-round Location
Fusion on First Residential lobby - south entrance N/A Map
Gordon Commons

Lobby outside of management office

N/A Map

Polytechnic campus

Residence Hall Indoor Location Outdoor Location Year-round Location
Century Hall Main lobby, first floor West entrance Map
Lantana Hall Main lobby, first floor N/A Map

Community organizations

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