Student Move-In Guide

For several years, U of M Waste Management Services has worked to make Student Move-In an Earth-friendly event. Since 1990, a program has been in place to collect the tons of cardboard and amounts of Styrofoam that are generated by students during the August Move-In.

In Fall 2000, a pilot collection program was coordinated in 2 buildings. Housing Facilities staff separated foam blocks and foam packing peanuts from the cardboard boxes and other waste. The volumes collected during the pilot justified program expansion to all residence halls on campus. In the fall of 2003, more than 116 tons of cardboard and almost 800 bags of foam were recycled while 52 bags of packing peanuts were reused.

What should you do?

Bring the cardboard boxes that you packed your stuff in, to the loading dock of your dorm (for Bursley this means either the East or West Dock). Or, if you live in the Northwood Community Apartments, bring your stuff to the dumpsters located around the parking lots.

Now What?

Break 'em down! Empty out any trash or foam and flatten the boxes and toss them into the large, blue paper recycling dumpster.

Flatten 'em like a pancake?

Since we get so much cardboard during this short time, it is important to crush those boxes to save space.

What else?

Newspaper and office paper from boxes can also be recycled in the blue dumpster. Place plastic bubble wrap, foam blocks and packaging peanuts in separate bags labeled "Foam" on the loading dock. Work together to help the environment and keep our campus clean!

Please remember to put other waste materials in the brown trash dumpsters.

Other Campus Recycling Opportunities:

• Recycling closets located throughout the residence halls have bins for recyclable paper, mixed containers (e.g. glass, steel, aluminum, #1 and #2 plastic bottles and jars) and waste disposal bins. These are for your everyday recycling participation!
• Batteries for recycling and needles/syringes (a.k.a "sharps") that need to be disposed of should be taken to the front desk at your residence hall. Don't put these in the regular recycling or trash bins!
• Academic buildings recycle too!! Recycle when you're on campus!

Die Hard Recyclers! Go the extra mile after Move-In! Throughout the academic year, you can bag your packing peanuts and/or foam block and place them on your residence hall loading dock. Call UM Waste Management Services at 763-5539 for a pickup or contact Recycling (get address) (38.103.63.61). The UPS Store, located in the basement of the Michigan Union, will also gladly accept all of your packing peanuts.

Dorm Decor

After you have moved in, check out these locations for great used furniture and other unusual finds:

Recycle Ann Arbor Reuse Center
2420 South Industrial Highway
(734) 662-6288
Open: Monday-Friday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
         Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Donate or purchase used building materials, office furniture and household goods.
U of M Property Disposition
3241 Baxter Rd., North Campus
(734) 764-2470
Email: U of M Property Disposition (get address) (38.103.63.61)
Open: Monday 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.
         Tuesday-Thursday 12 p.m. - 3:55 p.m.
         Friday 7:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Buy surplus University property such as computers and office and dorm furniture.

Wondering about the end of the year? Be sure to check out the Student Move-Out page.