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We support the transformation of Boston University’s planning, operations, and culture toward a sustainable and equitable future. We are guided by the University’s mission, Strategic Plan, and Climate Action Plan.
Goodwill, Not Landfill
During Move Out, BU diverts tons of items from the trash, from clothing to furnishings to kitchen items. Support the Zero Waste Plan, by helping BU Sustainability, Residence Life, BU Student Wellbeing, Facilities Management and Operations, and Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries collect used items for reuse. If you're ready to say goodbye to some of your belongings, consider what might be used again and make a plan to bring it to one of our convenient donation locations.
Featured Projects
From sustainable renovations of existing buildings to construction of cutting-edge, fossil fuel–free facilities, BU works with partners to lead groundbreaking projects.
Doing Their Part
Meet the members of the BU community who are leading by example in their daily actions and vocations.
Reimagining Waste as a Resource
How will you help BU achieve its Zero Waste goal? Read the Zero Waste Plan and contact sustainability@bu.edu to let us know how you'll be part of the solution.
Latest News
What Can (and Can’t) Go in the Goodwill Bins? Your GWNL Sorting Guide
Picture this: You've survived finals week, but now you're standing in your room staring at a pile of stuff: multiple storage bins, an overflowing closet, a bulky mattress pad, and the sinking realization that you have to move out in 5 days. Before you start hauling everything to the dumpster, PAUSE. During Move-Out, BU Sustainability's Goodwill, Not Landfill […]
Boston Green Ribbon Commission Receives $500,000 for Thermal Energy Project to Deliver Large-Scale Heating and Cooling
The Mass Clean Energy Center, in partnership with the City of Boston, announced $500,000 in funding for the Boston Green Ribbon Commission (GRC) to lead a project exploring the technical, economic, and regulatory feasibility of using clean thermal energy from Boston-area water to deliver large-scale heating and cooling. The year-long Boston Thermal Energy Network (BosTEN) […]
Campus Climate Lab Symposium 2026
Through innovative research, Boston University students are using the campus as a living laboratory to make a meaningful impact on the Climate Action Plan. The Campus Climate Lab is an interdisciplinary and convergent approach to sustainability research. Joint student and faculty teams conduct research on campus, ranging from decarbonization to waste reduction, curriculum development, and […]
How to Help BU Win the Campus Race to Zero Waste!
BU’s Zero Waste Plan aims to divert 90% of campus waste from landfills and incinerators by 2030. The Campus Race to Zero Waste helps us get there, but only if students show up for it. Every bottle recycled and old charger properly disposed of counts toward reducing waste and cutting emissions. Here’s how you can help BU win the race! Recycle Smarter BU uses mixed recycling, which […]
Announcing the 2025 Sustainability Innovation Seed Grant Recipients
This fall, BU students proposed new ways to make the campus more sustainable—from rethinking lab waste to redesigning streetlights. Through the Sustainability Innovation Seed Grants, a partnership between BU Sustainability and Innovate@BU, 10 projects were awarded $500 and mentorship to kick-start solutions addressing the University’s most pressing climate and waste challenges. Each project aligns with […]
Reuse at BU: Simple Ways to Cut Waste and Go Green
Sustainability is all about taking small, meaningful actions that add up to something big. Whether it’s grabbing lunch in a reusable container, using a reusable water bottle, or donating items at move-out, reusing helps cut down waste and keep our campus green. Here are a few easy ways you can make reusing part of your everyday BU routine: Choose to Reuse […]
Turning Move-Out Donations into Community Impact
Sustainability and helping the poor can go hand in hand. In partnership with the Faith & Ecological Justice Program at the School of Theology, BU Sustainability has collected over 2,000 pounds of textiles that will go to local homeless shelters and community organizations in Greater Boston. This program is the brainchild of a Master of […]
Welcoming our Zero Waste Fellow Grant Haas
We at BU Sustainability want to introduce you to our newest team member, Grant Haas. For many of you, he is likely a familiar face. As a student, he served as one of our Zero Waste Interns, supporting various waste reduction programs on campus. Now, we are thrilled to welcome Grant back in a new role: […]