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From Habitat
Dumpster Diversion pilot program: a success for campus and community
In Spring 2024, Habitat for Humanity of the Greater La Crosse Region partnered with the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse to launch a large-scale Dumpster Diversion Pilot: Reduce, Reuse, Reimagine. Designed to tackle the spike in waste during student move-out, the initiative deployed 9 on-campus pods to capture usable goods before they reached the landfill.
The program successfully diverted 23,383 pounds or 11.7 tons of material, redistributing over 1,800 items to the region through local nonprofits and the Habitat ReStore. Over 70% of collected items were returned to the community, totaling nearly $5,000 in estimated value. Environmental outcomes included the avoidance of 33.1 tons of CO₂ emissions, 239,868 gallons of water saved, and 9,800 kWh of energy conserved.
Backed by over 1,100 hours of staff and volunteer effort, the pilot demonstrated a scalable, replicable model for sustainable campus move-outs. The results speak not just to the environmental benefits of diversion, but to the power of collaboration, planning, and a shared commitment to community resilience.
For questions about the Dumpster Diversion Program or how to bring this model to your campus or neighborhood, contact Kaitlyn Wiehe at [email protected].
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Darshida has been working to become a homeowner for years. She is a passionate nurse, a dedicated mother to four boys, and a longtime La Crosse resident. After years of hard work and unforeseen obstacles, Darshida and her family moved into their new home in spring 2023.