At The New School, we know that a problem as complex as the climate crisis can be addressed only through an interdisciplinary approach. Our university is designed to bring together people, practices, and knowledge from all corners of the university to
create new ways to understand and address the climate crisis.
Sustainability Resources
Water Refill Stations
There are more than 63 water bottle–filling stations across campus. We encourage students to bring a reusable water bottle as a means of reducing single-use plastic waste.
Each year, The New School’s RENEW campaign eliminates more than 2 million single-use plastic bottles, preventing
14,000 pounds of plastic waste from entering our oceans. The university partners with Didómi, a social enterprise founded by African immigrants affected by the water crisis; proceeds from each RENEW reusable water bottle help provide a ten-year supply of clean drinking water to people in need.
Donate or Exchange Art Supplies & Materials
The Material Exchange came about after students became aware of the amount of waste deposited in the dumpsters at Parsons at the end of every semester. The exchange is a student-led
bank of materials recycled from projects for reuse by other students. Donate or exchange art supplies, fabrics, and materials for credit toward future Material Exchange purchases or redistribution to students in need.
Making Center & Metal Shop
Donation boxes are available at the Making Center (in the Sheila C. Johnson Design Center) and the Scrap and Metal Shop (at Parsons East) for reusable
materials. Check with staff to see what items are currently being accepted.
Recycling of Specialty Waste
- Batteries—Drop them in the blue collection tubes in building lobbies around The New School.
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Electronic waste—Participate in end-of-year e-waste drives or request disposal through IT Services.
- Toner cartridges—Office supply vendor W.B. Mason collects used cartridges for recycling from the mailroom in the basement of Arnhold Hall (55 West 13th Street). Drop off your toner there or submit a request for pickup through Facilities.
Sustainability Resources on Campus
Find resources that will help you make more sustainable choices on campus, from reducing waste and reusing materials to accessing food resources and finding water refill stations.
Waste Reduction & Circularity
The best way to reduce waste is to reuse materials whenever possible, recycle what cannot be reused, and send as little as possible to landfill. Explore resources for donating, exchanging, reusing, and responsibly disposing of materials across The New School!
Reuse First → Recycle What Can't Be Reused → Landfill Last
Reuse First
Before recycling or throwing something away, see if it can be donated, exchanged, or reused by someone else.
Clothing & Textiles
Textile Donation Bins: These bins are used for collection of clothing and fabric scraps. Give unwanted clothing, fabric, and household textiles another life through The New School's textile collection program, which operates in partnership with the New York City Department of Sanitation. Usable materials will be repurposed, and damaged textiles will be recycled rather than being sent to landfill.
Items accepted include clothing, shoes and accessories, towels, curtains, bedding, clean rags, and ripped or damaged textiles. No hangers, mattresses, or other non-textile materials are accepted.
Drop-off centers are located in all dorms and in two academic buildings near fashion and design hubs:
- University Center (4th floor, outside of room 428)
- 39 West 13th Street (3rd floor, room 328—the Fabric Storage Room)
- 301 First Avenue Residence (2nd floor, Lounge 2)
- Kerrey Hall (Basement Lounge)
- Stuyvesant Park Residence (Basement Lounge)
New School Closet: The New School Closet, created in collaboration with the Food Pantry, allows students to donate, exchange, and access usable clothing, shoes, and accessories within the New School community.
Donate clothing, accessories, and shoes in good condition. The donation location and schedule will be posted soon.
Questions or want to get involved? Contact [email protected].
Art Supplies & Materials
The Material Exchange is a student-led materials bank that gives leftover art and design materials a second life. Students can donate materials or exchange them through a points-based system for use in future projects.
Visit or donate at Parsons East, 25 East 13th Street, 2nd floor (open during the academic year). Click here to view a list of accepted items.
Have questions or want to get involved? Contact [email protected] and follow the exchange on Instagram!
Making Center and Metal Shop: Donate reusable scrap and project materials through collection boxes at the Making Center (in the Sheila C. Johnson Design Center) and the Scrap and Metal Shop (at Parsons East).
Accepted materials vary; check with shop staff before donating.
Food & Basic Needs
Dorm Donation Project: This student-led initiative collects clean, usable household goods from residence halls at the end of the spring semester and redistributes them to students for free at an event at the start of the fall semester.
Donate: Comforters, kitchen utensils, shower caddies, hygiene products, small appliances, TVs, and other clean, usable household goods. Look for collection bins in 301 Residence Hall, Kerrey Hall, and Stuyvesant Park Residence during spring semester move-out.
Have questions or want to get involved? Contact [email protected] and follow the project on Instagram.
New School Food Pantry: The New School Food Pantry, operated in partnership with Food Bank For New York City, provides free food, hygiene products, and kitchen items to current New School students who lack the means to purchase adequate food.
Donate non-perishable and shelf-stable food, hygiene products, and selected kitchen items at the University Center Event Café, room L103A, during drop-in hours. Donations are accepted year-round. See here for a full list of accepted items.
For bulk donations or to get involved, contact [email protected].
Find out how to take action in our city, including nearby reuse and donation options.
Recycle What Can’t Be Reused!
Some materials can't easily be donated or reused but should still be kept out of the regular trash.
Batteries
Drop used batteries in the blue battery collection tubes located in building lobbies around The New School.
Electronic Waste
Electronic waste can be recycled through end-of-year e-waste drives or by requesting disposal through IT Services.
Toner Cartridges
W.B. Mason collects used toner cartridges for recycling. Cartridges can be dropped off at the mailroom in the basement of Arnhold Hall (55 W 13th St.) or picked up through a Facilities request.
Landfill Last
Before throwing something away, check whether it can be donated, exchanged, reused, or recycled through one of the programs above.
Planning ahead is especially important at the end of the semester and when moving out. Giving yourself time to find the right donation or recycling option helps keep usable materials out of dumpsters and gives them a chance at a second life.
Remember to plan ahead to ensure that your items can have a new life! Small actions, like dropping off a bag of clothes at a donation bin or passing a mini-fridge to a local charity, can add up to a massive collective impact. Please use the resources listed above to ensure that your unwanted items find a second home rather than ending up in a dumpster.
Have a question or know of a sustainability resource we should add? Please contact [email protected].
In the Classroom
Students can search our course catalog using a filter for classes related to climate action and sustainability. View the climate-related course catalog, and read below to find featured climate-related classes.