Sustainability at Northland goes beyond buildings to more complex issues of human behavior. Students host competitions between the residence halls to reduce energy use. An art course incorporates environmentally-friendly materials. Campus native landscaping reduces the need for watering and mowing, showcases our northern environment, and provides native seed stock for student projects. Collection basins filter stormwater runoff to slow the rate of water moving into neighboring creeks. Chemistry classes check area water quality. Work-study students monitor campus waste and recycling and create educational campaigns to improve our habits.

One of the most basic among our sustainable practices is recycling. At Northland, we collect plastic (1 and 2), cans, glass, mixed paper, cardboard, batteries and ink cartridges for recycling. Cellphones are also collected and sent out to be refurbished through a program called Cellphones for Soldiers. Food waste is also collected and composted and used items, such as clothing, are collected and placed in our Reuse Center.

To learn more about recycling at Northland, click here.

What's New?

• Northland is participating in a ten week inter-college competition called RecycleMania. The goal of the contest is to collect the most recyclables per capita, the most recyclables total, and the least amount of trash per capita or the highest recycling rate. To learn more about Recylcemania click here.
• Northland has pledged to organize a post-consumer waste and biodegradable dinnerware composting program, create active programs to educate employees and students about waste minimization practices, and to purchase office equipment with waste prevention in mind.