Dear Faculty and Staff,
As part of our ongoing efforts to support sustainability and respond to community input, we’re making a few changes to our office cleaning routines and waste management practices. These updates will go into effect starting Monday, June 30, 2025.
We appreciate your flexibility and partnership as we make this transition, which may take a few weeks to settle into a steady rhythm. Here’s what you can expect:
1. Weekly Office Cleaning Schedule
Beginning June 30, general office and cubicle cleaning will shift from twice a week to once a week. While this change reflects operational adjustments, it’s also aligned with suggestions we heard during recent student Climate Action Plan listening sessions.
If any spot-cleaning is needed between scheduled cleanings, faculty and staff are encouraged to submit a work order so we can address those areas promptly.
2. Removal of Individual Wastebaskets
To reduce waste and improve sustainability, individual trash bins in faculty and staff offices and cubicles will be removed. Instead, common area waste and recycling bins will be available throughout offices for use. This is a common practice in modern offices and another idea raised during listening sessions.
Please remember to use the designated trash bins in common areas for food waste and other non-recyclables. This simple change, driven by our students and staff, helps DePaul eliminate at least 250,000 trash bags each year. That’s over 1 metric tons of plastic kept out of landfills — a small but meaningful win for the environment.
Supporting a Smooth Transition
We encourage office managers to reach out to their campus custodial managers if they have any questions or need help preparing their spaces for this change. Also, please be sure to share this information with your student workers to ensure they’re aware of the new routines.
For additional questions or concerns, please feel free to contact:
Thank you for your understanding and for helping us make DePaul a greener, more sustainable campus. These changes are a direct result of community feedback, and we’re grateful for your continued support.
Best,
DePaul Facility Operations