Thanks to UK Sustainability’s Sustainability Internship Program, UK Recycling is able to partner with students interested in working closely with UK’s zero-waste efforts. By working with UK students and gaining fresh perspectives, we discover new and exciting opportunities to make a meaningful impact with our zero-waste initiatives across campus. Dedicated and driven to make a change, UK students have led projects that continue to grow even after they have graduated. Check out some of our exciting student projects
BBN Tackles Plastic – 2026
Shayna Bassi, who graduated with a degree in communication science and disorders in the College of Health Sciences in May 2026, developed BBN Tackles Plastic, an initiative to reduce plastic waste in residence halls through the collection of plastic bags. Once collected, the bags are donated to the student organization Sustainability Future Leaders to be upcycled into sleeping mats for Lexington’s unhoused. BBN Tackles Plastic was expanded in Fall 2026 across all residence halls on campus.
The first-place design by Archana Krishnathas.
Circularity and Connectivity – 2026
Holly Cason, a dual major in environmental and sustainability studies and natural resources and environmental science in College of Arts and Sciences and MG-CAFE, developed and led the multi-departmental initiative Circularity and Connectivity. The two-part project consisted of a call for artists to submit artwork depicting UK’s sustainable food system from local procurement to on-campus composting. The winning artist, Archana Krishnathas, was then commissioned for a mobile art display that will be available at campus events when it’s not on display in one of UK’s dining halls.
Nobody Recycles Like BBN – 2025
Emily Murphy, a political science and law and justice major in the College of Arts and Sciences, developed Nobody Recycles Like BBN, a campaign aimed at integrating recycling into the fan culture at UK home football games. Seven unique pins were designed and handed out to fans at each home game throughout the Fall 2025 season to promote and drive pride in recycling. The pins were promoted on social media in collaboration with Greek life chapters as well as student organizations as an effort to further integrate recycling into game day culture.
Behind the Blue Bins – 2025
Henry Walke, a environmental and sustainability studies and economics major in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Gatton College of Business and Economics, created Behind the Blue Bins, a video which follows UK’s recycling process from the time a recyclable item is placed in a campus mixed recycling bin through it being made into a new item. Behind the Blue Bins increases trust in the recycling process in order to encourage more participation in recycling on campus. The video continues to be used for recycling education on campus.
The Thrifty Cat – 2025
Olivia Smith, who graduated with a degree in natural resources and environmental science in the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment in May 2026, is the founder and first Director of The Thrifty Cat, UK’s campus free store. The Thrifty Cat’s mission is to support the university’s goal to become a zero-waste campus and address emergent needs by offering donated items like clothing, furniture, dorm essentials and textbooks for free to UK students to find them a new home in the community. In Fall 2025, The Thrifty Cat redistributed 908lbs of items to UK students and had 264 visits from 195 students.
Holly Cason (left) with Dr. Hannah Angel, a participant in the office composting pilot.
Wildcat Composting Program – 2025
Holly Cason led a pilot to expand the Wildcat Composting Program to UK employees. This expansion provided post-consumer food waste collection to employees in office spaces across campus. The pilot provided key insights which informed later composting programs.
Everybody Eats Survey – 2024
Elizabeth Hellmann, who graduated with a degree in environmental and sustainability studies in the College of Arts and Sciences in December 2024, developed the Everybody Eats survey, which addressed campus food waste by giving UK students, faculty and staff the opportunity to evaluate their food habits and consider the ways in which food waste appears in their lives. They received resources based on their indicated interests and knowledge gaps, directing individuals to opportunities and other educational materials.
Paper Towel Composting – 2023
Shaun Lavin, who graduated with a degree in electrical engineering and a power and energy certificate in the College of Engineering in May 2025, developed a pilot program to compost brown paper towels from restrooms in office buildings on UK’s campus. While this program was paused due to logistical constraints, the pilot provided key insights which have been used by the university when developing other composting programs.
Residence Hall Food Waste Collection – 2021
Caleb Gooden, who graduated with a degree in agricultural and medical biotechnology in the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment in December 2022, developed a pilot program to collect post-consumer food waste from residents in the University Flats residence hall on campus. While this program is temporarily paused due to personnel capacity constraints, the pilot informed how the university approaches collection of food waste on campus.
Thrift Shop Pop-Up 2026, Photo by Mark Cornelison | UK Photo.
Thrift Shop Pop-Up – 2018
Cassie Odom, who graduated with a degree in geography and environmental and sustainability studies from the College of Arts and Sciences in May 2018, developed UK Recycling’s annual Thrift Shop Pop-Up in 2018 to address textile waste and promote reuse. The popular event continues and recently celebrated its 8th annual event during the Spring 2026 semester. The event helps keep usable items out of landfills and gives students an opportunity to replenish their wardrobes. By providing a free event for students to thrift, the Thrift Shop Pop-Up also creates an opportunity for students to engage with sustainability in a tangible way.