Jeff Wilson isn’t just the dean of University College at Huston-Tillotson University in Austin, Texas. He’s quite possibly the only person in academia who calls a dumpster home.

An Atlantic article detail Wilson’s journey to live more simply with a smaller footprint on the environment. He’s not living amongst trash, though, at least not anymore. Professor Wilson started the sustainable experiment, “The Dumpster Project,” sleeping on cardboard in said dumpster with a tarp blocking out the rain. Since, his University-sponsored home gradually transformed into a “thoughtfully-designed” living space complete with a sliding roof, interior artwork, an area rug over panels covering storage space, and a bed. Professor Dumpster, as he is fondly called, has an air conditioner that he plans to power with solar energy, maintains raised-bed gardens and collects rainwater.

Wilson, who owns more bow ties than shirts, is in phase one of the project. Phase two could could add interior locks, weather stripping and a separate tiny facility with a sink, kitchen and a toilet. Before all that comes, Wilson will continue to use the University’s gym facilities.

The dumpster is more than a chosen lifestyle, Wilson said. It’s an educational initiative. He even allows some students to stay in the dumpster for a night, while he takes a break at a friend’s house.

As appliances and home delivery become more accessible, there are few reasons to leave ones home. Living in a 36-square-foot box may just be a good reason to get out of the house, explore one’s community and reconnect with the world.