Goal

Create an action plan to achieve a zero waste campus by 2020.

Objectives

• Identify resources needed to develop and implement the plan
• Implement action plan upon university approval (AY09-10) and continue to refine and update it over the course of the next decade until zero waste is achieved

Achievements

Our recycling program started slowly as it took a back seat to more pressing demands of opening the campus and starting classes. The only way to launch a much needed campus recycling program was to hire some talented students, give them direction, and unleash them. Our student employees have been directly responsible for researching topics, developing ideas and methods to fit the UC Merced environment, and implementing those ideas across all staff, faculty, students, and visitors to our campus. We have rapidly grown and expanded the scope of our recycling efforts.

A student Recycling Coordinator and her two assistants have built the UC Merced Recycling program from near scratch. They have taken the fledgling program and continually enhanced and improved it over two and a half years. Below are some of their achievements:

• Managed and coordinated recycling activities across all campus populations and locations
• Produced third highest waste diversion percentage of all ten UC campuses in UC Merced's first full year of operation
• Developed, coordinated and conducted the first Focus-the-Nation event on campus, a national four-part event designed improve awareness about global warming that included a teach-in and political roundtable
• Enhanced, recorded and updated records of all waste at UC Merced diverted from the county landfill
• Conducted multiple waste audits across campus and reported data to UC Office of the President
• Developed and present recycling awareness briefing to all new employee orientations
• Assist groups with presentations, professional advice and information to advance recycling awareness and education
• Conducted tabling at numerous events including Bobcat Day, Fairy Shrimp Festival, and Asianfest
• Planned and executed an informational film festival
• Developed and implemented with Dining Services the pre-consumer food composting program on campus
• Work with Environmental Health & Safety, PPD&C, Green Club and Residence Life to improve recycling activities
• Planned and implemented all recycling for the new Facilities Services building, including all skilled trades shops to maximize the diversion of waste and return on any commodities reused.

What's Happening

Campus Recycling Efforts

• Three student workers, single stream, custodians and grounds collect
• Marketing— student move in, club fair, earth, sustainability days, orientation flyers
• Recycle Web site
• Outreach to city apartment management to implement recycling
• Brief at every new employee orientation
• Stream takes: paper, cardboard, metal, glass and all plastic (except #6)
• EH&S and FM work together on universal waste — batteries, CFL, CRT and CEDs
• Pallets
• Green waste
• Toner cartridges
• Special event recycling
• Construction and demolition
• Sugar and other starch based utensils
• Refill mugs at Dining and Bookstore
• Waste stream audits
• Plasma gas burning of waste that produces no emissions or by products other than water
• Post-consumer food composting

Probable/Possible Future Efforts

• Plasma gas burning of waste that produces no emissions or by products other than water
• Post-Consumer food composting
• A "What's Your Personal Diversion Rate" campaign to educate all campus on personal recycling and waste decisions they make every day.

Contact Information

Assistant Director, Energy And Sustainability

T: (209) 228-4124