Reducing the amount of solid waste produced on campus has obvious environmental benefits, not the least of which is a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The most important waste-related action a campus can take is to cut the amount of waste it generates in the first place. To do so involves careful and systemic planning of campus facilities, an institutional commitment to operational efficiency, and attention to purchasing decisions.

That said, the policies governing what is done with the waste that is generated are also of great import. Recycling the vast amounts of paper, as well as the metal, glass, cardboard, plastics and electronics disposed of on campus is clearly important; likewise, composting food waste helps divert a great deal of solid waste from landfills.

One proven landfill technology involves capturing the waste methane normally emitted from landfill material and "recycling" it to provide electricity or heat (thus reducing methane emissions and the emissions that would otherwise have resulted from the heat/electricity generation). Perhaps one of the greatest contributions campuses can make involves doing the research and demonstration projects necessary to further this and other promising waste management technologies.