CoatCycle
The USC’s Lab Coat Recycling Program
About Us
Mission:
CoatCycle is a new initiative to reduce textile waste and support students by giving unused lab coats a meaningful second life. The program focuses on collecting clean, lightly used lab coats that many students no longer need. Instead of ending up in the landfill, these coats are cleaned, refreshed, and redistributed to new students who may benefit from a free, good-quality lab coat.
Why this matters:
Textile waste is a growing environmental problem, and lab coats contribute more to this issue than many people realize. Most are made from synthetic fibers that can take decades to break down. Thousands of Western students purchase coats each year, yet many of them are barely worn. CoatCycle keeps these items in circulation for as long as possible, reducing waste while helping students save money.
Where to drop off your coat: You can donate your clean lab coat at any of our CoatCycle bins on campus. Bins are available at the following locations:
- – Natural Sciences Centre, first floor outside room 145
- – Thames Hall, in front of Health and Wellness
- – Material Sciences Addition, next to the first-year chemistry labs
- – Weldon Library Printing Station
- – Dental Science Building, outside the anatomy and physiology/pharmacology labs
- – Spencer Engineering Building, near the UES Office
- – Kresge Building, first floor
- – Health Sciences Building, first floor next to the elevators