Yale is committed to reducing waste. The following initiatives and programs help the university reduce the amount of waste it produces through more thoughtful disposal, reuse, and donation practices.
Connecticut reuse centers and material exchanges
Connecticut’s Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) encourages the reduction of waste through its materials reuse programs. A list of categories describing acceptable materials for reuse and relevant reuse programs can be found on the DEEP website.
Eli Surplus Exchange
Surplus furniture, lab equipment, and other items can be sold, exchanged, or purchased through Yale’s Eli Surplus Exchange.
Green purchasing
Reducing waste begins with responsible purchasing. The Yale Sustainable Procurement Standards encourage purchasing products with fewer negative effects on human health and the environment.
Medicine disposal
The state of Connecticut provides guidance on how to safely dispose of prescription medicines and over-the-counter products.
Spring Salvage
This program is an annual resource recovery and waste diversion effort held during undergraduate student move-out. Students can donate reusable items such as books, lamps, beds, electronics, clothing, and furniture for reuse through the Spring Salvage program.
Writing instruments
The Office of Sustainability has partnered with TerraCycle to upcycle used-up writing instruments (e.g. ballpoint pens, Sharpie markers) into new products. Old writing instruments can be placed in the zero-waste box located at Bass Library.