
The Giving Trees
Stanford’s on-site milling program transforms fallen limbs into campus benches and student art–providing the campus community a sustainable alternative to imported lumber.
Inspired by the campus’s upgraded waste system, Edward Florendo, animal care supervisor at the School of Medicine, began looking for a solution for a unique single-use plastic container frequently used in his labs.
By collaborating with the Office of Sustainability and Stanford’s recycling processor, Edward was able to implement a procedure to turn that waste into a resource. With the filters and most of the labeling removed, the unique containers can now be accepted in our recycling stream.
Edward’s leadership is just one example of individual actions that are key to building a more sustainable campus.
Does your lab or building generate unique waste in need of a better solution?
Witness how fellow students, staff, and faculty are creating a wasteless community, and gain inspiration to implement waste-wise practices in your daily decisions.


Stanford’s on-site milling program transforms fallen limbs into campus benches and student art–providing the campus community a sustainable alternative to imported lumber.

“Swap shelves” make reusing items easy and convenient–saving money & supporting Stanford’s waste reduction goal.

The university’s new purchasing guidelines help make the smarter and more sustainable option the easier one.