Andrew Baeuerle

The University of Southern Mississippi is facing a growing litter problem, as the Physical Plant and the Office of Sustainability work to maintain campus cleanliness. Despite the presence of trash cans and recycling bins, students continue to dispose of waste improperly, throwing trash in recycling bins, recycling in trash cans, and leaving garbage scattered across campus, particularly in the parking garage.
The Physical Plant, responsible for maintaining campus cleanliness, has expressed concern over the issue. Despite their ongoing efforts to educate students and provide ample trash and recycling bins, students continue to mix waste or leave it on the ground.
When non-recyclable items such as food and plastic bags end up in recycling bins, they contaminate the contents. At the same time, recyclable materials are often tossed in the trash, undermining the university’s recycling efforts.
One of the biggest problem areas is the parking garage. Despite multiple trash cans on every floor, students and visitors continue to leave garbage on the concrete. The sight of plastic cups, fast food wrappers, and empty bottles scattered across the garage not only makes the area look unkempt but also clogs drainage systems and attracts pests. The problem is frustrating for the university’s cleanup crews, who are already tasked with maintaining campus grounds.
“Our refuse crewman pull garbage from the trash cans in the parking garage twice per day, and the Physical Plant Grounds team also picks up litter on the ground twice per day,” said Michelle Shinall, Associate Director of Operations, Custodial Services, and Campus Relations. “It’s really disappointing to see so much trash when there are plenty of bins available.”
The issue extends beyond the parking garage. The university’s grounds crew has to conduct “litter runs” before mowing the lawns due to the amount of trash scattered across the grass. Loose garbage can damage mowing equipment, and cleaning it up requires extra time and effort. The additional workload caused by littering pulls staff away from other essential maintenance tasks and complicates efforts to keep USM looking its best.
“Keeping USM clean is a shared responsibility, and we need everyone to do their part,” said Melissa Covington-Olsen, Manager of Sustainability Operations. “We want students to take pride in their school and be mindful of where they’re throwing their trash.”
The Office of Sustainability is working to address the problem through awareness campaigns and signage reminding students to properly dispose of their waste. However, despite these efforts, many students continue to ignore the rules. Some may not realize the impact of their actions, while others appear indifferent. Either way, the issue persists, leaving cleanup crews with an ongoing battle against campus litter.
“We are always looking for new ways to engage students, from sustainability events to interactive activities that highlight the impact of littering,” said Covington-Olsen. “The more involved students are, the more likely they are to make better choices.”
The university may need to implement stronger measures to combat the issue. Possible solutions include adding more visible trash and recycling bins, launching more robust education campaigns, or introducing fines for littering. Some universities have adopted stricter policies to maintain cleanliness, and USM may need to follow suit if the problem continues to escalate.
Maintaining a clean campus is a team effort. Students, faculty, and staff all have a role to play in preserving the campus environment. Properly sorting trash and recycling takes only a few extra seconds but can make a significant difference. Choosing to dispose of waste correctly helps keep the campus attractive, reduces the workload for the grounds crew, and supports sustainability initiatives.
The Physical Plant and the Office of Sustainability are urging students to take responsibility for their actions. By making small changes, such as using the correct bins and cleaning up after themselves, students can contribute to a cleaner, more welcoming campus. USM has the resources to remain clean, but it is up to the campus community to use them properly.