One of the most important principles of sustainability is to reduce waste.

Waste Minimization

UMass Lowell has well-developed Recycling & Waste Diversion programs in place. As these programs continue to evolve, they reduce solid waste and increase recycling efforts across all corners of campus.

The Office of Sustainability is committed to minimizing the amount of waste generated by the university.

To learn more about some of our initiatives in this area check out the following:

  • Rowdy the bird mascot recycling
    Zero Sort Recycling

    Learn about our Zero-Sort or single stream recycling program. Over the years, this program has proven to allow us to increase our recycling efforts.
  • A table displaying UMass Lowell branded swag including: lanyards, wallets, pens, pins and more.
    Greener Giveaways Guide

    Guide to Greener Giveaways in hopes of dramatically reducing this costly, unnecessary and environmentally unfriendly waste stream.
  • Rowdy the River Hawk assists with electronic recycling at UMass Lowell. Free, secure, recycling events for UMass Lowell Community Members are offered in the fall and spring each year by the Office of Sustainability and the IT Information Security Department.
    Battery and Small Electronics Recycling Box Drop Off

    At key points throughout the university there are collection bins hanging where members of the university community can drop-off any batteries or small electronics they may have for recycling free of charge. Find out where all the bins are located on this page.
  • The label on the bag of the UML compost
    Composting Food Service Organics

    The university has been working to implement a composting program University-Wide, learn more about this program.