Coastal Carolina University's Sustainability Initiative has teamed up with the Office of Residence Life for a Zero Waste Project to save hundreds of mattresses and plastic packaging from entering the landfill.

Old mattresses were removed from Waccamaw and Santee residence halls earlier this week and picked up by Ohio Mattress Recovery, a company that will then recycle about 94 percent of each mattress. The plastic packaging on the mattresses was picked up by Recyclogic of Murrells Inlet and sent to a plant in Hemingway where the plastic will be recycled.

An estimated 700 new mattresses were delivered to the two residence halls on campus Aug. 5 and 6.

"This is an example of how Coastal Carolina University can do its part to reduce its ecological footprint and set an example for our community," said Marissa Mitzner, sustainability coordinator.

Mitzner anticipates working with these companies in the future to make the Zero Waste Project an ongoing program at Coastal Carolina University.

"This project is one of many that we can do to show the community that Coastal Carolina University does care about the environment and that sustainability is a priority on campus," said Mitzner.

To learn more about Sustainability Initiative and the Zero Waste Project, call Mitzner at 843-349-2389.