The University of Pittsburgh is serious about choosing reusable first, then moving on to recycling and other materials diversion from the landfill. We have many different initiatives YOU can participate in to help us reduce waste campus-wide.
USEFULL To-Go Containers
Eliminate disposable takeout containers with USEFULL! Complete with silicone lids, these premium stainless steel containers are designed to keep food and drinks at temperature for up to 5 hours.
Students can check them out for free from campus dining halls (The Eatery and The Perch) — as long as they return them within 2 days. Learn more about getting started with USEFULL.
BYO[Bag]
The BYO[Bag] campaign was started to help reduce plastic bag use on campus. Before BYO[Bag], the Pitt community used 15,000 plastic bags each week. We’re continuing the transition to a single-use bag free campus, so please bring your own OR Pitt-branded reusable bags can be purchased at various campus locations , with profits going to the Pitt Green Fund.
BYO[Cup]
BYO[Cup] incentivizes everyone on-campus to bring their own drinking vessel for hot and cold beverages. Despite our goal to serve 50% of all to-go beverages in reusable containers by 2025, there are still 12,000 single-use cups used on campus each week! When you bring your own cup, you’ll get discounted beverages at campus coffee cars ($1.19 hot or iced coffee or tea and $0.25 off all espresso drinks).
University of Thriftsburgh
The University of Thriftsburgh is Pitt’s on-campus, student-run thrift store, located in the O’Hara Student Center. You can shop for low cost clothing to dress fashionably and contribute to Pitt’s culture of reuse on campus. Thriftsburgh also accepts donations for in-store credit.
Every Fall, Thriftsburgh has an annual rummage sale, making inexpensive secondhand clothing and home goods available to students!
While wearable clothing and accessories should be donated to Thriftsburgh, Pitt also offers textile recycling across campus clothing and linens that are at the end of their life.
Pitt Surplus
Did you know that Pitt Surplus Property resells campus items, including furniture, electronics, office supplies, and more? Anyone at Pitt and the public can purchase items from Surplus Property online or in-person at 7500 Thomas Boulevard!
Moving In
Being mindful of what you bring to college helps reduce waste. We encourage you to pack minimally when coming to campus. Please consider the durability of what you’re bringing to campus — and what might happen to items when you no longer need them (i.e., can they be donated, reused, or recycled — or will they end up in a landfill?)
Learn more about what to bring to campus — and (maybe more importantly) what to leave at home.
Moving Out: Clutter for a Cause
At the end of the Spring semester, look for our annual Clutter for a Cause donation drive that facilitates a zero waste move out!
We will take your gently used household and kitchenware items, along with clothing, furniture, room decorations, textbooks, and more.
Look for Clutter for a Cause bins in every residence hall at the end of every Spring semester — and off-campus locations throughout the Summer!
Clean & Swap
Clean & Swap is an annual event when Pitt offices & laboratories can clear out their unwanted office items and “shop” among the items for free! All donated items find new homes with other Pitt departments and local nonprofits — or they’re properly recycled thanks to Pitt Surplus.
Reduce
Reduce is the first “R” in the phrase “reduce, reuse, & recycle” because it is the most sustainable step we can take. There are many resources that can help you reduce the amount of waste produced in your spheres of influence.
Printing
Pitt is committed to supporting behaviors that reduce paper and printing. Here are resources and best practices to reduce paper use!
Purchasing
Rethink your purchasing habits by taking stock of available resources and following best practices. For example, instead of handing out swag at events raffle off experiences.