Zero Waste is a campus-and-community effort. The choices we make including what we buy, how we sort, and how we plan events directly affects what gets diverted and what ends up in the landfill. Use the guidance below to reduce waste at the source, sort correctly, and find ways to get involved at MSU and in Bozeman.

Ways to get Involved 

Help staff Zero Waste stations and support proper sorting during high-traffic campus events.

You’ll help with:

  • Guiding people to the right bin

  • Reducing contamination in real time

  • Keeping stations clean and functional

Help your office, residence hall, lab, or student org improve everyday sorting and prevention habits.

Great projects include:

  • Bin station improvements (placement, signage, consistency)

  • Reducing single-use supplies in break rooms

  • Creating a reuse shelf or supply swap

  • Sharing best practices at meetings or orientation moments

If your department or organization wants to improve diversion, a short training can align everyone quickly.

Training topics can include:

  • How to sort correctly

  • Compost vs recycling vs landfill basics

  • Event setup best practices

  • Simple waste prevention steps for offices

Systems improve fastest when the people using them share what’s not working.

Examples to report:

  • Missing bins or confusing signage

  • Consistently contaminated stations

  • Overflow or poor bin placement

  • Areas where compost/recycling should be added

Student and staff ideas drive campus progress. If you have an idea: pilot program, signage improvement, partnership, or infrastructure upgrade, reach out to sustainability@montana.edu

Helpful details to include:

  • Location(s)

  • What problem you’re seeing

  • Proposed solution

  • Who would need to be involved

  • Any photos or examples

Best Practices on Campus 

  1. Start with prevention

The most sustainable “waste” is the waste you don’t create. Before you toss something, consider whether it could have been avoided. Source reduction saves money, cuts emissions tied to manufacturing and shipping, and reduces contamination downstream.

Try these ideas:

    1. Bring a reusable bottle, mug, and utensils when you can.

    2. Choose durable and refillable options over single-use.

    3. Avoid “just in case” extras (napkins, condiment packets, giveaways).

    4. Opt out of unnecessary printing; share documents digitally.

  2. Sort correctly: Pause for 3 seconds, read the sign, then sort.

Putting the wrong item in recycling or compost can contaminate an entire load. When you’re unsure, follow signage or choose trash over guessing.

Common contamination issues to avoid:

    1. Plastic bags or bagged recyclables

    2. Food residue or liquids in recycling

    3. Non-compostable plastics in compost

    4. “Compostable-looking” items that aren’t certified/accepted

       3. Reuse and donation (when appropriate)

Before throwing items away, consider whether they can be reused. For office spaces, a small “reuse shelf” for binders, folders, envelopes, bubble wrap, and shipping materials can be set up to store items for later use.

On Campus, reuse can include

    1. Office supply swaps or shared storage
    2. Reuse of shipping boxes and packing materials
    3. Donation of usable items through approved channels
    4. Moving from disposable event supplies to reusable kits

Best Practices in Bozeman

  1. Know your local system

What’s accepted can vary depending on your hauler, building, or neighborhood service.

Start here:

    1. Check your property manager/HOA guidance
    2. Review your hauler's accepted materials list 
    3. Use local drop off sites for special items when available
  2. Use community reuse options 

Reuse is often the easiest way to cut waste and costs 

Some ideas:

    1. Shop secondhand for furniture, gear, and kitchen items

    2. Donate usable goods instead of landfilling

    3. Repair what you already own when possible

    4. Choose refills or bulk options where available

       3. Handle special waste responsibly

Use special drop offs or collection events whenever possible.

Examples include 

    1. Batteries and electronics
    2. Paint, chemicals, and automotive fluids
    3. Sharps/medical waste
    4. Large appliances and bulky items