Spring is here, and as midterms ramp up, a cluttered space can add to the stress. A quick reset now can make move-out and finals season way easier—while also cutting down on waste! Instead of tossing everything in the trash, here’s how you can declutter, clean and donate more sustainably while making a positive impact on campus.

Decluttering 

Ever find something and think, “Why do I even have this?” You’re not alone! 

✔ Keep – If it’s useful, meaningful, or sparks joy, it stays.
❌&�Բ�����;Get rid of – If you don’t use it or love it, it’s time to let go.
🤔&�Բ�����;Maybe – Stuck on an item? Ask yourself if you’d notice if it were gone. If not, it’s probably time to say goodbye!

Cleaning Your Newly Decluttered Space

Now that your space is clear, it’s time to freshen it up—without harming the planet.

• Ditch disposable wipes – Use cloths made from cotton, hemp, or bamboo instead of microfiber, which sheds plastic into waterways. You can also stop by the ECenter and grab some off cuts from upcycled T-shirts! While you are around, make a reusable T-Shirt bag!
• Choose eco-friendly cleaners – Look for biodegradable, refillable, or non-toxic options. Check out Boulder’s refill stores to cut down on plastic waste!
• Watch out for microplastics – Many conventional sponges, cloths, and cleaning products shed tiny plastic fibers. Opt for natural materials when possible.

What to Do with Your "Get Rid Of" Pile

Before tossing items in the trash, check out these easy ways to give them a second life:

• Local Online No Buy groups
• Host a Stuff Swap with friends
• Local Thrift Stores – Shops like ARES Thrift, Greenwood Wildlife Thrift, and Goodwill accept clothing, accessories, and home goods.
• Campus Group Organized Swaps – At this year's 32nd Annual Campus Sustainability Summit, there will be a clothing swap for students to participate in on April 22nd! At the end of the semester, keep an eye out for Give & Go Donation Drive and other free exchange events.
• – Got broken electronics, scrap metal, or hard-to-recycle items? CHaRM makes sure they’re disposed of responsibly.

Pro tip: Before donating, check with friends or roommates—your old lamp or extra kitchenware might be exactly what they need! If you are moving out at the end of this semester, here is essential information and resources to avoid violating Boulder trash ordinances.

The Bigger Impact: Waste Reduction on Campus

Every year, thousands of pounds of reusable items are thrown away during both move-in and at Give and Go during move-out. By donating, swapping, and making sustainable choices, you help keep valuable resources in circulation and reduce landfill waste.

Take It One Step Further

Want to stay involved? Here are a few easy ways to keep the momentum going:

• Take the Sustainable Buffs Pledge – Show your commitment to living more sustainably.
• Learn more about daily actions with the Sustainable Buffs Guide.
• Get an Eco-Visit – Let CU Boulder’s sustainability team help you green your space.

Cleaning up doesn’t have to mean waste—let’s make it a fresh start for both you and the planet. Happy decluttering, Buffs!

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At the Climate Justice Leadership Alliance (CJLA), we believe mutual aid is a critical part of building a community that can actively contribute to Climate Justice and Climate Liberation. We recently partnered with SAFE Boulder and explored what mutual aid looks like on the ground, learning from experts who are committed to economic justice, racial justice, and community-led solutions.

Here are 5 things you need to know about mutual aid and how you can get involved in our upcoming Climate Justice event:

What is Mutual Aid?

Mutual aid isn’t just a nice gesture or a temporary fix; it is a radical practice that challenges the deeply entrenched systems of inequality, oppression, and transactional relationships that govern our lives today. It bypasses extractive processes that often impose systemic barriers to aid, and instead relies on direct, community-based action through horizontal non-transactional relationships to provide immediate relief through redistributing and sharing resources, skills, knowledge etc.

How Does Mutual Aid Challenge The Status Quo? 

Unlike traditional bureaucratic or transnational systems that require money, time, or other forms of compensation, mutual aid operates through trust, community action, responsibility, and most importantly solidarity.  In short, mutual aid does not wait for governmental or institutional permission. This type of organizing works from the ground up, empowering communities to act for themselves and in solidarity with one another, without waiting or relying on the slow-moving machinery of government or corporate systems.  

How Does Mutual Aid Reframe “Need”?

Mutual aid recognizes that “need” is not an individual issue but a systemic one. It understands that when one person is in need, it is a reflection of broad systemic and communal failures– whether it's economic inequality, racism, or environmental injustice. Rather than perceiving need as something that requires charity, mutual aid sees it as a collective responsibility built upon solidarity and trust. In doing so, mutual aid not only reframes action through community mobilization but as a tool for healing– not just as individuals but entire systems. 

Why Does Mutual Aid Matter For Climate Justice?

Mutual aid is directly linked to climate justice as it bypasses the fragmented systems that inhibit community action and facilitate environmental exploitation and extraction when institutions and governments fail to provide assistance– whether its legal, financial, food, or health– communities come together to provide what's needed. 

For example, mutual aid networks in Los Angeles have created a diverse network, supporting unhoused and displaced families as wildfires have increased in frequency and severity.  Moreover, during the 2025 Palisades fires, mutual aid organizers worked together to create vast resource lists, advocate for long-term housing, host emergency fundraisers, and provide resources such as food, water, masks, emergency kits, and pet support. 

Indigenous communities also have a long history of mutual aid, such as long supply hauls for elders during the winter, medicinal herbal clinics, etc, that are derived from many different mutual aid models. Here in Boulder, SAFE Boulder organizes weekly food and supply distributions, emergency cold-weather survival distributions, pop-up warming shelters, cop watch activities to monitor and report on local law enforcement action rooted in developing community self-determination and breaking free from oppressive cycles. 

How to Get Involved 

Local and On-Campus Mutual Aid Groups: 

Mutual aid starts right here on campus! Whether it’s sharing food, resources, or support, you can be part of a community that looks out for one another. Check in with the Basic Needs Center for food and housing support, or get involved with the Farm and Garden Club to help grow and share fresh produce.

Looking to expand beyond CU Boulder? Organizations like SAFE, Boulder Food Rescue, and Food Not Bombs work to provide food, housing support, and more throughout the community. Explore ways to volunteer and be part of the movement!

If you want to learn more about Mutual Aid, the Solidarity Economy, Indigenous Ecological Knowledge and many other forms of Climate Justice work in action join the CJLA by attending any of our events or reaching out to ejt@colorado.edu

Reading 

Reading is a pivotal tool to expand our understanding and create a network of knowledge that applies to coursework, every day, or global issues. Here’s a list of recommended reading from SAFE Boulder, and resources to get you started. You don’t need formal experience to organize—simply read, learn, and take action:

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As another CU Football season comes to a close, it is important to recognize the sustainability efforts taking place under the bleachers. This essential work is made possible through the collaboration of the Environmental Center, CU Athletics, Facilities Management, and a committed group of volunteers and student workers. Their efforts have not gone unnoticed, as CU Boulder has been recognized for its leadership in sustainability and waste diversion by winning the National Wildlife Federation Gameday Zero Waste Challenge for Most Recycling Generated Per Capita at a football game!

How much material did we divert? 
99,499 pounds! That’s roughly the weight of 125 Ralphies—all successfully hand-sorted and kept out of landfills.

Did you know that human hands sort your post game waste?

This season, Ralphie’s Green Stampede partnered with CU Athletics, Levy Restaurants, Facilities Management, and A1 Organics to hand-sort food waste andcompostables, ensuring that only the pre-approved materials made it into the compost stream. Eco-Products, an official sponsor of Ralphie’s Green Stampede, was able to help Levy Restaurants switch their packaging to all CMA certified materials. CMA certified compostable products are verified to break down properly in industrial composting facilities. Thanks to the dedication of our team, 17,442 pounds of organic material were hand sorted and successfully composted this season.

As we all adapt to the new collection guidelines for compost in the Front Range, CU is looking for opportunities to expand food waste composting access across campus. If your residence or office is interested in composting food waste, to request a compost bin. To keep up on CU's composting program efforts, check out our Zero Waste webpage. 

Join the sustainable stampede! 

If you're interested in helping make CU Football and other campus events zero waste, sign up to volunteer through . Join a community of passionate and welcoming people, whether you're studying to help the environment, passionate about Zero Waste, or just looking for something to do; join the ranks of Sustainable Buffs and tell us what you find in the trash!

Over 70 student staff and 100 volunteers help make Zero Waste happen at CU. You can be part of the team at upcoming events like:

• The Move Out Donation Drive
• The Spring Football Game

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Valentine’s Day is a great excuse to do something nice for anyone in your life you appreciate! As you celebrate, remember to keep sustainability in mind. 

Why leave the planet out? 

Valentine’s Day is heavily commercialized, with stores carrying a wide array of chocolates, cards, flowers and stuffed animals. While many people enjoy exchanging gifts, the environmental impacts are lofty. According to a eo by Waste 360, on Valentine’s Day, U.S. citizens buy: 

• 36 million heart-shaped boxes.
• 180 million cards.
• 198 million roses.
• 881 thousand bottles of sparkling wine.
• 58 million pounds of chocolate. 

The environmental impact adds up to more carbon emissions than would be created from driving around the world 3,993 times. That’s not a reason to swear off the holiday altogether. It’s just a big incentive to celebrate more sustainably. Here are ideas for zero-waste gifts this Valentine’s Day. 

Make your own card 

Sure, it’s easy to buy a card at the grocery store. But while those pre-made slogans and heartfelt messages look nice, they lack originality and thoughtfulness. You don’t have to be artistic to own card; colored pencils and paper are enough. And if you’re still doubting your abilities, websites like Canva have rs you can use to personalize and print out cards in five minutes or less. Making a card cuts down on the paper waste produced by card companies and hopefully will create less demand for premade cards in the future. 

Bake your own desserts 

Often, a hand-made dessert will be more appreciated than a box of chocolates from the store. There are a ton of cookie recipes online that use . Plus, baking can be therapeutic in and of itself, not to mention a bonding experience if done with others. 

Make your own candle 

Everyone likes getting candles. You can take a zero-waste spin on this classic gift by . The three primary materials you need are soy wax, a wick and a vessel for the candle. Soy wax is a great, 100% natural and biodegradable alternative to other candle wax, such as paraffin, . On top of that, you can reuse any container you want in the process. You can use mason jars, metal tins, fun glasses from a thrift store and even halved lemon peels. 

Make your own blanket 

It’s surprisingly simple to . You can learn to make the blanket in less than two hours using your own two hands and approximately five to seven skeins of chunky yarn. You can pick whatever color scheme you want for a cozy and cute homemade gift. 

Buy sustainable options 

If you don’t want to give homemade gifts, you can still choose a better present for the environment. Purchase fair trade chocolate. Look for the fair trade symbol on the packaging. Fair trade means that workers are paid fairly, have safer working conditions and have more rights. 

Give . Unethical gemstone mining can cause soil erosion and deforestation. By going the extra mile to uncover the history of the products you buy, you can stand up against these harmful practices. 

Skip the commercial flowers 

Flowers are one of the most visible and well-known Valentine's Day gifts. In the U.S., 80% of cut flowers are imported from foreign countries. estimates that flights importing flowers “burn approximately 114 million liters of fuel, emitting approximately 360,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.” Once the flowers make it to America, they are transported to stores using refrigerated trucks, which use 25% more fuel than non-refrigerated trucks. These trucks also use diesel fuel, which produces more emissions than gasoline-fueled trucks. 

Instead, buy local. Several local Boulder florists grow their flowers or are part of a local collective that allows them to source flowers from different florists or growers within the state. 

Zero-waste date ideas 

The best way to celebrate Valentine’s Day sustainably is to plan for unique experiences. There are many options for dates that are fun while still being environmentally friendly. 

• Spend time in nature. Go on a hike or a short walk at sunset to appreciate nature together. You can also have a fun photoshoot outdoors in pretty scenery, with the bonus of having a way to remember the day forever.
• Go ice skating. It’s a fun winter staple activity and an excuse to hold hands.
• Candlelit dinner at home. You will have more privacy and more options than in a restaurant when you do it yourself.
• Movie night. Stay in and watch a romantic movie for a relaxing and cozy holiday. 

Choose to celebrate sustainability 

Holidays don’t have to mean going over your budget or harming the environment. You can find creative ways to recognize the special people in your life.  

If you want to learn more about how to live sustainably, check out the Environmental Center website. 

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Thrifting goes hand in hand with a sustainable lifestyle. With Americans throwing away over year, fast fashion and overconsumption lead to excess waste in landfills, carbon emissions from textile manufacturing and depletion of resources. Thrifting promotes sustainability by diverting clothing from landfills for reuse. You can participate in thrifting by donating unwanted clothing and purchasing used clothing instead of buying new. 

The importance of thrifting for sustainability 

• Less clothing in landfills: Most clothes are made from synthetic materials, which take hundreds of years to decompose in landfills. When you thrift, you help extend the life of clothes, which can reduce the volume of clothing sent to landfills each year. 
• Fewer wasted resources: Making clothes takes a lot of water. One pair of jeans is estimated to usens of water in the manufacturing process and cotton growth. Thrifting keeps clothing in use for longer, which can help limit wasted resources through decreased demand for new products. 
• Reduce chemical pollution: Most cotton used to make clothing is genetically modified, which means the growing process is pesticide-intensive. Pesticides can lead to soil acidification and water contamination. Textile manufacturing can also involve harmful dyes and crude oil by-products. The environmental risk increases when excess chemicals leak into areas surrounding the manufacturing facilities, which can contaminate surface and groundwater. 

The benefits of thrifting for consumers 

Thrifting benefits not only the environment but also consumers. Here are ways you can benefit by participating in thrifting. 

• Save money: You can save money by purchasing secondhand clothing. Thrift stores often have much lower prices than buying new items. 
• Update your style: Thrifting offers a wide variety of clothing types and styles to help you develop a unique and functional wardrobe. 
• Lower-cost luxury: Thrift stores often have vintage items or designer products at a fraction of the initial cost. You can elevate your wardrobe on a budget. 
• Social responsibility: You can feel good about disposing of unwanted clothing by donating to a thrift store instead of throwing items away. 

Alternatives to thrifting 

Thrifting isn’t the only way to keep unwanted clothing out of landfills. The EPA estimates that 84% of donated clothing ends up in landfills and incinerators. When donating, consider whether the items are functional to avoid passing the burden of disposal on to others. Here are other ways to give your clothing a second life. 

• Make a trade: Plan a clothing swap with your friends, residence hall, student organization or another group. 
• Alternative donations: Donate directly to those in need, like to a homeless center or domestic violence shelter. Often, these organizations have information on their websites about how or where to donate.  
• Repair and repurpose: If you have clothing that isn’t in good condition, consider making repairs or reusing the item for a different purpose. For example, you can use old T-shirts as cleaning cloths. 
• Make it last: Save and store unique items that you may not wear regularly to use for costumes or theme parties. 

Things to keep in mind before going thrifting 

It’s easy to over-buy when thrifting due to cheaper prices. However, buying things you don’t need just continues the waste cycle. Make sure nothing you purchase ends up back in the donation box. Before you buy an item, consider the following: 

• Would I buy this if it were brand new? 
• Do I have things in my closet that I can wear with this? 
• If I plan to repair an item, do I have the time and materials to do so?  
• Do I have something like this in my closet already? 
• Will this fit me? (size, style, etc.) 

Start thrifting 

Boulder has many local thrift stores within walking distance of campus. area.  

Behaviors like thrifting instead of buying new can positively impact our environment. Join the Sustainable Buffs community to get more involved. 

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As the cold weather creeps into Boulder, you’ll soon turn to sweaters, cardigans, and crewnecks. Those are some bulky clothing items, and your closet may be cramped for space, which makes this the perfect time to slim down your wardrobe and the pieces you have in your closet. Here are a few tips and tricks on cleaning your closet and getting ready for winter! 

Make a plan

When deciding what to keep, what to get rid of or deciding on your “maybe” pile, having a plan to follow makes it easier. Think about what you like to wear, where you go most often and how much space you have. Having a balance of different options is best. 

One thing in, one thing out

Adopting this mentality ensures that your closet is never overflowing with clothes. If you bring in a new shirt, donate an older shirt that you simply don’t wear enough to keep around. 

Be realistic

Know that you can’t keep everything, or get rid of everything. Think about how many items you want to clean out from your closet. It’s okay to only remove three or four items. When it comes to deciding what to keep, think about these questions:

• Would I buy this today?
• When was the last time I wore this?
• When will I wear this in the coming months? 

Try the “maybes”

Put your “maybes” at the front of your clothing choices, and try to wear them at least once before deciding if you keep or get rid of them. You might be surprised by how much you like that shirt that you haven’t worn in a while, or that pair of pants that has been stuck at the bottom of your drawer. 

Donate!

You can give your unwanted clothes a new home by donating them at any drop-off bins located around Boulder or second-hand stores like the Salvation Army or Goodwill.

Remember, you can make your closet clean out fun! 

Join the Environmental Center for — a campus-wide swap shop where CU Boulder students, faculty, and staff can donate and pick up new-to-you items such as clothing, shoes, accessories, outdoor gear, office supplies, housewares, room decor, and more! You don’t need to bring anything to take new-to-you items at this FREE event.

In addition to the swap, there will be experts on site from the ECenter teaching folks how to mend their own clothing and have on-the-go sewing kits you can take home with you! We will also have campus and community partners present to share resources—both on and off campus—to help students to meet their needs sustainably!

You can bring donations to the Environmental Center in UMC 355 Monday–Friday, 9-5 from November 4th- November 20th , or bring your donations on the day of the event!

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Travel can be exciting, but it can also negatively impact the environment. Whether you travel for vacation, to visit family or out of necessity, there are many ways to incorporate sustainable, eco-friendly practices into your travel plans. 

Here are some tips to help you stay green the next time you head out of town. 

Consider your mode of transportation 

Flying is probably the quickest way to get to your destination, but it typically has more carbon emissions than other forms of transportation. If you choose to travel by plane, travel with intention. 

• Choose direct flights because they produce less carbon emissions than connecting flights, plus you get to your destination faster. 
• Take advantage of the which can take you from campus to the airport. You can save money since you don’t have to pay to park your car at the airport.  
• Look into . Plan to travel as a group if you and your friends go to the same destination. 

Pack reusable items 

Choose sustainable and zero-waste alternatives to popular travel items. By making the switch, you can make even the smallest aspects of your trip eco-friendly. 

• Solid toiletries, like shampoo bars, conditioner bars and toothpaste capsules, help combat plastic waste. You can also buy toiletries in bulk and transfer to reusable travel-size containers.  
• Organic and reef-safe sunscreen can help protect marine life. 
• Bamboo toothbrushes are widely available and are a simple biodegradable switch from traditional plastic toothbrushes. 
• Bringing a portable water purifier to places without safe drinking water is an excellent alternative to buying countless plastic water bottles. 
• Bring reusable utensils, bags and containers. 
• Pack snacks to take with you and store them in reusable containers. 
• Bring your reusable water bottle and thermos with you. 
• Pack reusable period products, such as a menstrual cup. 
• Use rechargeable batteries. 
• Keep tickets and passes on your phone to reduce waste and save on printing costs. 

Go camping 

Camping is a great way to plan an eco-friendly vacation. Many popular tourist destinations have campsites available nearby. Camping can help you reduce your carbon footprint by consuming less water and electricity than in a hotel. Also, follow “” principles to keep the earth as beautiful as you found it. 

Camping has many benefits, from access to better air quality to circadian rhythm improvements and stress relief. 

The Boulder area has countless campsites. In addition, the CU Rec Center offers equipment rentals to students through Outdoor Pursuits to help you achieve your backpacking and camping adventure goals. 

Support the local economy 

One of the best things you can do while traveling is to support the local economy. Dine at locally owned restaurants since small restaurants are more likely to source their goods locally than large chains. Also, they prevent food waste during many parts of the food chain, including food loss in produce packing houses, manufacturing facilities and transportation and distribution networks. 

Buying local, handmade goods also impacts the environment by providing an alternative to cheap, manufactured items. Handmade gifts also often carry more sentimental value because of their one-of-a-kind nature. And buying from local artisans helps them keep doing what they love. 

Plan for sustainable travel 

Implementing sustainable travel practices takes planning and intention. Remember, you don’t have to be perfect. Making a few small choices can have a significant impact over time. You may also influence others to follow your example. 

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Halloween marks the beginning of the holiday season. However, the excitement of the holiday can make it easy to ignore zero waste and sustainable habits as you decorate and celebrate. Costumes are often bought specifically for the holiday and then never worn again. And candy comes in small, individually wrapped pieces, which produce much waste that is not recyclable. Halloween can be a time to celebrate and have fun. Yet, with some planning and intention, you can make choices that protect our environment. Here are ways to enjoy Halloween sustainably.  

Costumes 

• Buy or make costumes from local thrift stores. Often, thrift stores bring out items specifically for Halloween, making it easy to find costumes. Shopping at thrift stores is also typically cheaper than buying a premade costume.  
• If you’re not thrifting your costumes, buy reusable costumes like an animal onesie or other items you may wear again.  
• There are also costume rental services, so you can get the exact costume you want without buying it for only one occasion.  
• You can make your costumes. Homemade costumes often use cardboard, clothing you already have or scrap fabric. You can reuse or repurpose materials and spend less money on your costume this Halloween. 

Treats 

• Choose candy to hand out that has paper packaging (like nerds, pixie sticks, etc.) 
• Choose candy with aluminum foil packaging (like Hershey’s kisses)  
• Both paper and aluminum foil are recyclable, whereas candies wrapped in plastic are not. While it seems like a slight difference, so much candy is handed out and produced for Halloween that this subtle difference can have a significant impact.  
• While making treats to hand out on Halloween produces the least waste, this may not be feasible for trick-or-treaters. However, if you're getting treats to hand out to close friends and family, make treats like cookies or homemade candy. 

Decorations 

• Keep decorations simple. 
• Instead of fake spider webs and plastic spiders, stick to the classics and put a carved pumpkin on the front porch. Pumpkins are entirely biodegradable, and it is fun to carve them with your friends or family. You can roast the seeds to make a delicious and nutritious snack.  
• Choose better quality decorations that you can reuse each year. If you decide not to store your decorations for the future, consider donating them to a thrift store. 
• Get creative and decorate your house using things you already own. Look for ideas online or plan a DIY night with friends. This way, you don’t have to buy anything new, and you don’t have to throw anything away after the holiday. 

The positive impact of a sustainable Halloween 

There are many habits you can choose to make this Halloween season more sustainable. As we continue to learn and become more eco-conscious as a community, we also continue to grow as individuals and figure out the impact of our actions. Advocating for sustainable practices goes much further than protecting wildlife and our environment. Being sustainable encompasses us and how our interactions with one another can impact our future generations and human life. When you end up composting your locally bought pumpkin, thrifting and reusing clothing or decorations, you benefit yourself, others and the environment.  

During this Halloween season, we encourage you to be mindful of how you can implement sustainable practices into your life. Sustainability can look like saving money and reducing waste when celebrating Halloween this year.  

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This year, the CU Boulder Zero Waste Program provided recycling and composting services for over 20 welcome events. The largest of these events includedand WelcomeFest, where we coordinated the donation of over 70 leftover meals. Over 9,500 students moved into the residence halls of CU this year. CU Recycling diverted 13 tons of cardboard, 12 tons of mixed recycling, and specialty items like film plastic and Styrofoam. Additionally, CU staff led threeand two tours of our Zero Waste football stadium for over 150 incoming students.

These results are due to the dedicated efforts of staff and students in the CU Environmental Center, Facilities Management, Housing Facilities, Residence Life, and  During move in week, facilities crews can empty cardboard dumpsters as many as seven times during a 12-hour day. Despite broken golf carts and erratic weather student staff diverted 50,000 pounds of recycling from the landfill in five days—equivalent to the , CU Boulder’s beloved 1,000-pound buffalo mascot! This is one example of what being a Sustainable Buff looks like. Every student, staff and faculty member on campus can join the herd as a Sustainable buff when they recycling right and reducing their waste. If you are not sure how to start your journey into sustainability, don’t worry- sign the and get all the information you need straight to your email.

Prioritizing reuse and focusing on waste reduction holds the greatest potential for advancing to the circular economy model and can create a zero waste society quicker than recycling alone. 

In May, CU Recycling donated over 42,000 pounds of clothing, furniture, food, textbooks and other usable items from students moving out of the residence halls during our annual Give and Go Donation Drive. Many of the items collected from this event go back to the local community, items like hangers, mirrors, and fans are stored by residence halls to be redistributed to those who arrive in the fall. 
Students living on campus can reduce their impact and be a Sustainable Buff by buying thrifted goods, using a summer storage program, taking items with them when they move and donating what they cannot take with them.

Ready to take action?!
To learn more about how you can participate in CU Recycling, check out these Boulder County resources:

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