Hamilton cuts waste by promoting campus-wide recycling, composting food and reusing products through programs such as Cram & Scram. Hamilton also participates in Recyclemania, an eight-week competition for colleges and universities.
“The ‘Cram & Scram’” name is derived from the idea that before students ‘cram’ their cars with only belongings that will fit and ‘scram’ from campus, they might consider donating the rest of their stuff to next year's classes,” Hansen said. “But what once was merely a waste diversion tactic has grown into a strategy to save students money on all the necessary goods/consumables a part of everyday college dorm life.”
When Cram & Scram began in 2008, student belongings were collected in the former ELS building then sold out of a tent in North Lot. Since then the event has grown and taken over Sage Rink for two days.
Many of the collected items not suitable for resale have long been donated to charitable organizations; clothing goes to the Salvation Army, bedding to local animal shelters and non-perishable food items to the Clarks Mills food pantry.
