Trash or Treasure
Thursday, May 21st, 2026 | 10:00am – 3:00pm | Zelazo Parking Lot
Trash or Treasure is a free, in-person initiative designed to support campus efforts to reduce waste and discourage illegal dumping. Participants can bring items they no longer need to either properly dispose of or leave for others to take. The event even features donated items from University Housing, giving students a chance to find useful items while also avoiding costly city fines related to improper disposal.
Coinciding with Trash or Treasure, the Off-Campus Resource Center, in partnership with UWM’s Office of Sustainability, is offering a free large item pick-up on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 between 8am and 2pm. This service helps ease the stress of disposing of unwanted items and contributes to a more sustainable campus community. All collected usable items will be made available at our Trash or Treasure event on Thursday, May 21 from 10am–3pm, and unusable items will be responsibly discarded.
Please click on the button below to learn more and request a large item pick-up!
Green Neighbors Initiative
An overarching effort in the Off-Campus Resource Center that brings together several programs aimed at promoting sustainable living and resource sharing among commuter students. Whether you are interested in cleaning up the surrounding neighborhoods through Neighborhood Cleanups, or in reducing waste through reuse efforts in the OCRC Free Store, Panther Swap, and Trash or Treasure, the Green Neighbors Initiative offers meaningful ways to get involved. Taking part in these programs will help to deepen your connection with the community, all while fostering sustainable, environmentally responsible habits that create lasting benefits for you and the UWM campus for years to come.