University of Nevada Las Vegas
OP-18: Waste Diversion

The UNLV Rebel Recycling Program has been steadily growing over the past 15 years to divert larger and more diverse quantities of materials from the landfill. For instance, diversion of food and landscape waste began at the end of 2009 and diversion of tires started in 2011. The Rebel Recycling Program constantly seeks to divert more tonnages by increasing the types of materials accepted and by expanding our collection infrastructure. We do not have a set amount of money allocated to purchasing recycling bins each year, but when funds are available, we expand the number of new bins placed on campus. In 2011, we have added approximately a dozen bins to a remodel area. Outreach efforts include participating in events on campus with tabling efforts and/or by providing recycling and food collection bins. We typically do not weigh materials collected from Move-Out in Residence Halls. In the one year that the materials were weighed, the tonnage was approximately 4.5 tons. Surplus/Property Control does not weigh the materials re-sold in Surplus Sales. Likewise, the Drive Up and Drop Off materials are not kept separate from the traditional recyclables collected from the campus. The 850 cubic yards of landscape waste, diverted in 2010, were also not weighed or included in the first data field on this page. Overall, we will start to weigh and track materials better so we are getting full credit for all our reduce, reuse and recycling efforts.