Digital Campus Resources
PLAN’s library of resources provides the educational framework necessary for students to holistically understand the Waste Crisis and implement solutions on their campuses. Most of our resources only available to members. If your school is a member campus, download the manuals from the Member Hub. If not, connect with a Campus Advisor to find out how to make your school a part of the network!
Case Study Database
No need to reinvent the wheel when it comes to zero waste programming. The Case Study Database is a directory of nearly 300 case studies of successful zero waste programs and initiatives on college campuses that PLAN staff and interns have compiled for student advising and educational purposes. Topics range from food waste reduction initiatives and reusable to-go ware programs to best practices for surplus property and free/thrift stores, and beyond, while highlighting both independent student-run projects and official institutional directives that challenge systemic waste on campuses. Case studies play a major part in our one-on-one campus advising, provide concrete examples for our Atlas reports, and contribute to the development of our other resources.
Leadership Tools Database
Explore movement-building tools for organizing on your campus. Everything you need for inspiring systemic change is here, from facilitation templates to reading group discussion content, and more. The Leadership Tools Database is a new directory of resources that provides a place to explore essential movement skills and topics. Informed by cross-movement knowledge and strategies, these tools are intended for anyone interested in learning more about how to navigate the systems we live in. You can even utilize them as you build out your own on-campus campaign or project.
PLAN Members can access the Case Study Database and Leadership Tools Database on the Member Hub. If you are not a PLAN member, you can request access using the form below.
Manuals

Campus Composting Manual
- Mapping the campus-wide flow of compostable materials
- Choosing the appropriate compost infrastructure for your campus
- Designing a system that is user-friendly
- Advocating for composting beyond campus

Creative Reuse on Campus
- Intentional procurement across campus
- Skills-sharing and strategic exchange between departments
- Forming and maintaining partnerships between campus and community
- Leveraging existing initiatives for creative reuse opportunities

Expanded Recycling Manual
- Expanded recycler facility types and certifications
- Material classifications, collection and disposal methods for e-waste, carpets, cosmetics and more
- Institutionalizing expanded recycling operations through company and other partnership opportunities
- Education and outreach for campus involvement in collection drives and responsible disposal

Flow Don’t Throw
- Understanding the context of the menstrual equity movement
- Building a team to manage your project
- Securing support and finding funding on campus
- Distribution models for equitable access to reusable menstrual products

Food Recovery Manual
- Simple changes for source reduction of food waste
- Organized efforts for salvaging pre- and post-consumer food scraps for redistribution
- Secondary uses for salvaged food, including animal feed and industrial uses
- Guidance for navigating a compost system that best suits your campus community

Free and Thrift Store Manual
- Finding and securing a space for your store
- Managing donations, storage, and customer service
- Organizing and prepping donations for store-front setup
- Bookkeeping and record tracking of profits, inventory, and diversion rates

Manual Para Un Campus Sin Plástico
- Consejos para la rotación de liderazgo, como trabajar con la administración y como facilitar la colaboración en todo el campus.
- Consejos para comprender el uso de plásticos desechables de un solo uso: dónde encontrarlo, por qué es importante y con quién hablar para hacer un cambio.
- Alternativas a los plásticos desechables de un solo uso, desde el concepto de reutilización hasta productos compostables.
- Creando un movimiento que se mantendrá después de graduarse

Move-Out Manual
- Building a team to lead your Move out program
- Various types of collection systems for donations
- Community partnerships for donations
- Prepping for and executing a Sale

Plastic Free Campus Manual
- Organizing advice for leadership turnover, working with administration, and facilitating collaboration across campus.
- Tips for understanding the use of single-use disposable plastics: where to find it, why it’s important and who to talk to about making a change.
- Tangible alternatives to single-use disposable plastics, from the concept of reuse to compostable products.
- Guidance on taking action that will be sustained long after you graduate!

Pouring Rights Manual

Reuse for Good Manual
- Program development, staffing, and leadership structure
- Building a budget and finding funding
- Volunteer recruitment & management
- Collection models and how to run them
- Marketing, advertising, and reporting your results

To-Go Container Program Guide

Waste Audit Manual
PLAN’s Waste Audit Manual covers the basics for how to identify and assess data from waste streams on your campus. We’ve re-written the 2015 manual to emphasize the ways in which waste audits can influence campus infrastructure and call out plastic-producing corporations. This manual shows how you can go beyond simply sorting trash and use waste audits as a powerful tool to advocate for lasting behavior change on campus.

Zero Waste Events Guide
- Marketing for a zero waste event
- “Trash Talker” volunteer training
- Day-of execution of a zero waste event
- Tracking data and communicating your results
Toolkits & Quick-Guides
Take our advice! Navigating campus bureaucracy can be tough. All of the systems in place on every campus can be daunting to understand and work through, but there are ways to work through the red tape! Our 2-pager toolkits and quick-guides offer advice and solutions for navigating confusing campus structures and policies. PLAN members have access to resources including How To Find Funding On Campus, Accessing Documents, PLAN Tabling Kit, and more.
Resource Access
This form is to request access to specific resources for those that do not have membership access. This includes students, professors, partners, and nonprofits.
NOTE: For campus affiliates before you fill out this form please: 1) see if you are a member, by checking the Member Page, 2) reach out to our campus network director about membership -which will grant you access to all of our resources *we never turn a campus away for lack of funding.
We will follow up with you when we receive your request about access and an optional donation. For any questions email info@postlandfill.org