Campus Connection

UWL takes home the 2024 State Recycling Excellence Award for its leadership in recycling, waste minimization practices 

UW-La Crosse has been honored with the 2024 Recycling Excellence Award from the Department of Natural Resources for its impactful “Reduce, Reuse, Reimagine: Dumpster Diversion program.” This award recognizes outstanding recycling and waste minimization efforts across the state, underscoring UWL's commitment to sustainability.  

Launched during the spring 2024 move-out period, the program successfully redirected over 16,000 pounds of furniture and other usable items from campus dumpsters to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Onalaska and to other community organizations, thanks to a strong community partnership. Volunteers stationed at designated collection sites, known as “pods,” encouraged students to donate gently-used items that would otherwise have ended up in the trash.  

“The success of this program highlights our collective responsibility to reduce waste and support our community,” said Andrew Ericson, UWL’s Sustainability Program director. “It’s a great example of how we can work together to make a positive impact.”  

The initiative aligns with the City of La Crosse’s Climate Action Plan, particularly its waste management and community collaboration goals, including the goal to increase diversion of reusable materials by 15% by 2030. 

Emily Whitney, an associate professor of public and community health education, initially envisioned partnering with Habitat for Humanity to provide Environmental Health students with hands-on learning experiences in sustainability. This idea was brought to fruition with contributions from key collaborators, including Ericson; Amy Smith, sustainability director for Habitat for Humanity; Kaitlyn Wiehe, sustainability manager for Habitat for Humanity;  Scott Brown, UWL director of the Physical Plant; and Tony Meidl, UWL Ground Services manager; and Lisa Walker, UWL Residence Life associate director of Facilities; and many volunteers.  

“UWL is part of the larger La Crosse community,” Whitney said. “We should be actively collaborating with our neighbors and local organizations to care for and give back to our community.”  

In addition to the community benefits, students played a crucial role in planning and marketing the program, enhancing their skills in critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and social marketing. “Students developed social marketing materials aimed at encouraging their peers to participate in the dumpster diversion program,” Whitney added.  

America Recycles Day is Nov. 15. UWL's recognition serves as a reminder of the importance of recycling and community involvement in creating a sustainable future.  

As UWL begins planning for next spring's Reduce, Reuse, Reimagine: Dumpster Diversion Program, Ericson explains, 'We’ll build on the success of the pilot program while incorporating the lessons we've learned. The program will be structured differently this time, with the goal of making it easier for students to understand and for staff to manage.” 

In addition, Ericson and Whitney note the goal is not only to divert more items from landfills but to fundamentally change how people approach the products they purchase and use.  

“Students, as key members of the campus community, have a unique opportunity to lead the way in this cultural shift,” notes Whitney. “By prioritizing items that are built to last and being mindful of what we buy, we can reduce the volume of waste generated. Moreover, fostering a culture of sharing, repairing, and reusing, rather than discarding, can go a long way in curbing waste.”