Use your own cups, mugs, plates and utensils
Single use items, including those marked compostable, cannot go in the recycling or food waste bins at MIT and must go in the trash.
Reusable dishware diverts materials from the landfill or incineration, while leading to operational savings by eliminating the need for repeatedly purchasing disposable dishware. Bring your own dishware with you to meetings.
Evaluate what it would take to establish a reusable dishware system in your office. Could you add some dishwashing supplies and a sign next to an existing sink in your office? Larger offices might consider having a dishwasher installed - place a Special Service Request in Atlas and check the "Request an Estimate" box to get more information. Seek input from others in your office, make a plan and implement reusable dishware in your office.
Recycling at MIT
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Take 10 minutes to complete this Atlas Training: Responsible Waste Disposal Practices.
Choose to Reuse:
A MIT community reuse event hosted by the Working Green Committee during the academic year. Find out more here.
RHEAPLY:
MIT's surplus materials sharing platform. Sign up to join Rheaply: rheaply.mit.edu
Rheaply is open to MIT community members with a Kerberos account, and is also accessible through MIT Buy-to-Pay.
MIT Reuse lists
Reuse is a group email list for exchanging free and for-sale items located at MIT or within the greater Boston area. To post, you need only send an email to the list, but be sure to read through the rules of use before posting.
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reuse@mit.edu: to post availability of free items—laboratory or computer equipment, clothing, household items, office supplies, etc.
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reuse-ask@mit.edu: to ask for items like the above
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reuse-sell@mit.edu: to sell items
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reuse-housing@mit.edu: to ask for or offer housing
To subscribe to the MIT reuse list, go to http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/reuse
Before posting MIT materials on reuse@mit.edu make sure items with MIT Property Office stickers are deactivated (contact the Property Office at 3-2779). Also, please clean up any unclaimed items and dispose of them properly. Do not leave items in the hallway of your office building. The Recycling crew will remove MIT items for you at no charge and will reuse them if possible. Submit a request via the Atlas web page.
Extra food
What to do with leftovers from a meeting or event? There are two email addresses you can post to: freefood@mit.edu and vultures@mit.edu. Send an email to either or both lists when there is food leftover. In your email indicate whether people should bring their own container to carry the food away.
MIT Furniture Exchange
MIT Student Furniture Exchange (FX), a service of the Women's League since 1958, sells used furniture at bargain prices. All profits benefit the MIT Women's League Scholarship Fund. In order to continue this valuable service, the FX is always in need of donations of good, useable furniture, including sofas, chairs, tables, desks, beds, dressers, lamps, rugs, small appliances, cooking utensils, dishes, children's items, bikes, and more. All donations are tax-deductible and arrangements can be made for large items to be picked up. Contact: Phone: 617-253-4293, or e-mail fx@mit.edu.
Swapfest
The MIT Radio Society sponsors a Swapfest (aka "Flea @ MIT") on the third Sunday of each month, April through October. Buy, sell, and swap amateur radio, electronic, and computer equipment.
