Sustainable Tips for a Successful Move – UW–Madison News

Badger Buddies had red carts waiting in front of the Witte residence upon move-in on August 30, 2023 . Photo: Althea Dotzour

The annual arrival of new and returning Badgers to campus is the first sign that another academic year has almost begun. It is a busy and exciting time and a great opportunity to incorporate sustainable practices and contribute to UW-Madison's zero waste goal.   

General packing and cleaning tips   

Plan ahead! Create a practical, comprehensive list in advance to reduce stress and make the process more efficient.  

Pack your belongings in suitcases or reusable boxes and bags instead of buying new boxes. To save space and reduce waste, wrap fragile items in towels or clothing instead of newspaper or bubble wrap.   

When moving, pack your belongings in suitcases, duffel bags or reusable boxes instead of buying new boxes. Photo: Taylor Wolfram

Use thrift and thrift stores to save money on the items you need to purchase. Additionally, donate or sell unwanted items instead of throwing them away. Donation bins for small and medium-sized items can be found at many residences near campus, or large items can be donated at a local thrift store.

When cleaning your new space, use reusable cloths/rags and mops without disposable pads. You can even make your own homemade cleaning products .  

Tips for campus residents

Use Bucky's packing list to determine what to bring to campus and what to leave behind. Remember to coordinate with your roommates to avoid additional or unnecessary items.  

If you purchase new items for your room, consider unpacking them at home to avoid bringing packing materials onto campus. Please carefully follow your local waste and recycling system to dispose of packaging properly.

There are separate collection points for Styrofoam, mixed recycling, plastic bags and trash near each residence hall on campus. (Note: This may differ from other buildings on campus.) Disassemble the boxes and place the plastic bags in the collection bin in the nearest residence hall office.

Student Avi Clancy helps families move into the Lakeshore neighborhood on August 30, 2023, breaking down cardboard for recycling . Photo: Althea Dotzour

Each resident room is equipped with two containers: the mixing container and the garbage container. Before moving in, check out University Housing's recycling instructions to help you properly classify your waste during your residence hall stay.

Do you prefer learning via video? Discover this guided tour of sustainable moving .  

Tips for off-campus residents   

To get started, visit the City of Madison's August Moving Days website .  

Coordinate with your roommates to avoid bringing additional or unnecessary items.    

For more information on proper recycling in off-campus residence halls, see the City of Madison Recyclopedia .  

Worried about food waste? Check out the City of Madison's Food Waste Tips .

Use the free Focus on Energy kit to save energy and water (Note: Owner or property manager approval may be required to replace existing light bulbs or fixtures).  

 

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