What’s in Our Bins? March Waste Audit Results Are In!

Ever wondered how well the waste is sorted at Dawson College? Our March 2026 waste audit took a closer look and the results are in.

Glows: We’re seeing some improvement in how recycling and compost are being sorted (*go team*). This suggests that the awareness efforts around campus are starting to make a difference.

Grows: The not-so-good news? Overall, the numbers are still a bit worse than our last audit in November 2025, which means there’s still work to do.

• November diversion rate (% not going to landfill): 54.7%
• March diversion rate: 32%

So, what’s going in the wrong places most often? The biggest culprits are food, recyclables like chip bags and wrappers, compostable food containers, and paper towels. These items frequently end up in the wrong bins, which increases contamination and makes it harder to properly divert waste.

The takeaway is simple: a few small sorting decisions can make a big impact. With clearer recycling guidelines, continued awareness efforts, and more waste audits in the future, we can keep improving.  Keep up the good work sorting your compostables and recycling!

Next time you’re sorting your waste, take a second look at the bins—you might just help Dawson move one step closer to a greener campus.