Recycling and Waste Management

Download the Recycling and Waste Management section of the 2007 Campus Sustainability Assessment here.

Immense savings of energy, resources, and landfill space resulting from efficient reuse and recycling, as well as the high population density and paper-intensive activities of a university setting, make recycling efforts a key strategy for reducing a campus’ ecological footprint. UCSC has had strong recycling efforts on campus since the startup of cardboard and office paper recycling in student residential areas in 1991. The overall campus recycling rate has increased annually, though it is still below the rate specified for 2008 by the UC Policy on Sustainable Practices (UC Policy). Various campus units have been working to reduce the campus waste stream, and the campus community is highly supportive of recycling and waste reduction. With additional resources, UCSC can meet the ambitious recycling goals specified by the UC Policy.

Summary of Activities and Performance

• The waste diversion rate has increased steadily over the past several years and is currently at 32% (the goals expressed in the UC Policy are: 50% diversion by June of 2008, 75% by 2012, and 100% by 2020).
• Each UC campus uses different methods for refuse and recycling services. At UCSC, the Grounds department under the Physical Plant maintains and empties all outdoor waste and recycling bins and indoor recycling bins in administrative buildings. Students, faculty, and staff empty bins in their rooms or offices into central bins, which are emptied by Grounds personnel.
• The campus population is generally supportive of recycling, and there has been active participation in recycling and waste reduction efforts since the early 1970s.
• There are savings potentials in recycling given that the tipping fee at the city of Santa Cruz landfill is currently $66.98 per ton for trash, with a scheduled increase of $70.67 per ton in 2008 and $74.56 in 2009. Recycling fees are not charged to specific campus users.

For more information on UCSC Waste and Recycling:

Grounds Services Recycling Program

Check out this informative video on Zero Waste Systems!!