Learning & Opportunities

The Sustainability Office funds small on-campus projects that promote sustainability through creative  action, advance  Macalester’s Sustainability Plan, and uphold the core values of the College.

Projects should encourage collaboration between staff, faculty, and students. An individual or group can apply for up to $1,000 in funding. Applications are rolling but funding is limited. If you have questions, contact the Sustainability Office at [email protected].

• Projects that have a lasting effect on the community have a higher priority than those that benefit an individual once
• Students, Faculty and Staff are all encouraged to make requests
• Budget figures submitted should be accurate; the Sustainability Office may request documentation about the budget figures before approving the request
• Requests for travel funding will not be approved; if an exception is to be made and travel funding is approved, it will be solely and exclusive through the college’s van pool, without exception
• Funds will not be approved if the request is a donation to an outside organization
• Funds to be paid to an external individual vary in approval; stipends for on-campus speakers open to all will be approved more often than funding for consultants working from afar
• The Sustainability Office reserves the right to make the final decision about the allocation of funds

Complete the Small Project Fund Application with your request if you feel it aligns with the above guidelines.

Macalester Sustainability Tour

Macalester Environmental Studies 

Plant Based Eating 

A student-run cooperative that sells produce and dry bulk goods to the Macalester community at weekly pop-up sales. They purchase produce in bulk from local producers or food hubs and sell everything by the pound, at-price. Any food that remains unsold is purchased by Macalester’s Cafe Mac/Bon Appétit. It’s a convenient and affordable way for students to access fresh produce. Sale dates are posted on their Instagram @Mac.Share and in the Mac Daily.

Email: [email protected]

Green Dorm Inventory Survey

A reusable menstrual cup program offered free to students. Complete a request form to receive yours through the campus mail. This program is provided in collaboration with The HAMRE Center and Sustainability Office.

A Brief History

Macalester College launched a free tampons and pads program in during the 2018-19 school year as a result of a Macalester College Student Government (MCSG) led initiative. Currently, Facilities Services maintains the tampons and pads machines and budget. The Campus Center and the Library have free products while all other buildings continue to have paid dispensers. In 2018-19, they purchased 8250 tampons and pads for $1106. This budget number is unlikely to change substantially.

In addition, Macalester Activists for Reproductive Justice has held a menstrual health student panel which hands out free menstrual supplies for the past few years. MCSG has held similar events as well. These events consistently hand out as many reusable pads and tampons as are made available. In talking with students on campus, many female bodied individuals had already accessed menstrual cups prior to the launch of SustainaCup in October 2019.

Why It Matters?

• Economics: The average menstruating person spends $60 a
  year on period products.
• Social Justice: Menstrual cups are a discrete solution for gender
  non-conforming people to manage their periods.
• WellBeing: Tampons contain harmful chemicals known to
  cause conditions such as Toxic Shock Syndrome –
  menstrual cups eliminate this risk.
• Environment: Macalester alone in past years has discarded around 350,000
  tampons/pads a year, which don’t biodegrade and often pollute our lakes and ocean