Recycling & Compost Intern

 The Recycling & Compost Intern will help to implement and evaluate initiatives to reduce waste across campus. The intern’s primary responsibilities will be to assist with addressing Strategy 1.4 in Our Compass (“Conduct a baseline assessment to understand what is in NMU’s waste stream; set targets to reduce amount sent to landfill, increase recycling and compost diverted from the landfill.”) and fulfilling the work plan articulated in the 2025 SISU Innovation Funding Award for: What’s in NMU’s Waste Stream? A Comprehensive Waste Characterization Study. The Intern will be responsible for implementing a variety of recycling and composting pilot projects, including collecting recycling and compost at multiple locations across campus and helping to coordinate sustainable move-out and move-in events at the very beginning and end of each semester. 

The Recycling & Compost Intern will work closely with the Director of SHINE / Assistant Vice President for Sustainability and the Associate Director of Facilities, Building Services & Sustainability. The ideal candidate will have an interest in the University’s sustainability efforts as well as attention to detail and willingness to get “their hands dirty.” 

Requirements:

• Must be self-motivated and able to work both independently and with others.
• Must be available to work over the course of the entire academic year, including the last two weeks of the semester and the week before the semester starts in August 2026.
• Be a current NMU student with a minimum GPA of 3.0
• No prior experience is required, but some knowledge of recycling and compost practices is preferred.