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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 and thanks to our community partners, every pound donated and recycled during Ditch the Dumpster at move-out will generate scholarships for students in our community.

Achievements

Students that moved out of residence halls in spring 2018 contributed 156,300 pounds of material donated, repurposed or recycled. 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 23, 2018.
  • 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

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

West and Thunderbird

  • Phoenix Police Department - Cactus Park Precinct, 12220 N. 39th Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85029
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, nonperishable food

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
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 Conference room between desk and clinic South side parking lot, front parking lot 
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 Southwest patio near pool
Villas at Vista Vista del Sol Community Center near theater Southwest patio near pool
West Campus
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
Taylor Place

Lobby outside of management office
Polytechnic Campus
Century Hall Main lobby, first floor West entrance
Phantom Hall Lounge in room 31 East side of Talon
South Desert Village Corner of Clearview Street and Ventana Avenue Corner of Clearview Street and Ventana Avenue
Thunderbird Campus
Dorm A Dorm laundry room and dorm lobby
Dorm B Dorm laundry room and dorm lobby
East Dorm East Dorm lounge 

Community Partners

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