University of California, Los Angeles
OP-18: Waste Diversion

UCLA must meet strict diversion guidelines set by the UC Policy on Sustainable Practices which states that by 2012 all UC campuses will divert 75% of all waste from landfills, and will divert 100% of all waste by 2020. In order to accomplish these goals UCLA engages in a rigorous recycling program. Recycled materials include CRV beverage containers, whitepaper, mixed paper and cardboard, newspaper, green waste, rock product, wood and metal, and computer toner cartridges. There are over 200 single-stream recycling bin sites throughout the campus which recycle paper, glass, aluminum, and plastics #1-9, as well as a desk-side recycling program which ensures that all offices on campus have single-stream recycling bins, with a ratio of 1:1 recycling bins to trash cans. Departments can request additional recycling bins online easily at the sustainability website. The website also features a comprehensive recycling FAQ list which aids students, faculty and staff in understanding both the importance of recycling and how to effectively recycle. In 2008, the UCLA Green Team was introduced, which is a group of volunteers who oversee recycling areas at large events to ensure maximum diversion. In the 2009-2010 school year, a UCLA Action Research Team (http://www.eslp-la.com/action-research-teams.html) worked with Facilities Management to conduct research on how to improve campus recycling which included updating maps with recycling bin locations and conducting a survey of students, faculty and staff regarding how to improve recycling on campus which resulted in more effective signage on all campus bins. Undergraduate On-Campus Housing composts food waste and food prep waste at four of its dining facilities. In addition to composting and recycling, UCLA also diverts waste through a waste-to-energy program with a plant located in an industrial section of the City of Commerce. While waste to energy does use incineration in the process, it is different from traditional incineration in that combustion of materials is used to generate electricity. www.lacsd.org/about/solid_waste_facilities/commerce/refusetoenergy.asp For more information about the diversion rate visit: www.sustain.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=51