As the primary campus waste hauler, Recycling & Waste Services is responsible for sustainable materials management across Harvard’s Cambridge, Allston, and Longwood campuses. We manage municipal solid waste, single stream recycling, and food waste streams, both through our own drivers and through contracted vendors. Services we coordinate also include mattress recycling, textile recycling, e-waste and universal waste recycling, plastic film/bag recycling, and furniture and appliance pickup.
To receive periodic updates on our campus waste world, subscribe to the Harvard Recycling newsletter here.
The Zero Waste Alliance© defines Zero Waste as a reduction of 90% or more of waste diverted away from landfills or incinerators from a benchmark year.
Not sure which bin an item should go in? Use the Waste Wizard tool to find the right disposal method for any item on campus!
Furniture, supplies, equipment and a wide-variety of other items are available for free to anyone on a first-come, first-served basis.
Waste audits, Freecycles, and Fixit Clinics are held throughout the year to increase waste prevention and diversion.
Harvard's trash, single-stream recycling, food waste, and specialty recyclable items go to various end-sites in the Northeast.
