Zero Waste

Welcome to Cal State LA's Zero Waste Program!

Bigbellies with signage

Zero waste aims to minimize the amount of materials sent to our landfills by capturing valuable resources that can be recycled or composted. The Zero Waste International Alliance adopted the following peer-reviewed internationally accepted definition of zero waste:

"Zero Waste is a goal that is ethical, economical, efficient and visionary, to guide people in changing their lifestyles and practices to emulate sustainable natural cycles, where all discarded materials are designed to become resources for others to use. Zero Waste means designing and managing products and processes to systematically avoid and eliminate the volume and toxicity of waste and materials, conserve and recover all resources, and not burn or bury them. Implementing Zero Waste will eliminate all discharges to land, water or air that are a threat to planetary, human, animal or plant health."

Cal State LA's goal is to achieve 90% waste diversion by 2026 and move towards zero waste by 2036. These ambitious goals will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with waste sent to landfills, while further supporting the university's mission and commitment to sustainability. To learn more about the university's zero waste program, see the Cal State LA Zero Waste Plan.

Recycling Program

For recyclables that cannot be avoided through reduce and reuse programs, Cal State LA collects the following materials with our commingled recyclables program:

Newspaper
Computer paper
Wrapping paper
Plastic bags
Chipboard
Tin cans
PET/HDPE 1-2
Bi-metal
Aseptic juice boxes
Tetra-pack cartons
 
Magazines
White paper
Greeting cards
Construction paper
Telephone books
Metal cans
All plastics 1-7
Wood
Plastic milk cartons
Waxed cardboard
Catalogues
Mixed paper
Envelopes
Colored paper
Paperback books
Aluminum cans
Dry cleaning hangars
Plastic toys and tools
All CRV materials
Plastic drink lids
Junk mail
File folders
Paper bags
Cardboard
Glass
Empty aerosol cans
Steel
Ledger paper
Plastic coat hangars
Soda packaging
 

Old batteries can be brought to the Environmental Health & Safety office, Corporation Yard 244, or they can be picked up by calling 323-343-3531. It’s important to keep battery types (i.e., alkaline, lithium and nickel) separate.

Outreach Materials

Bigbelly Flyer

 

 

Compost Poster

 

 

Deskside Collection Flyer

 

 

Recycling Poster

 

 

Zero Waste Presentation

 

 

Zero Waste Poster

 

 


Questions? Please contact Brad Haydel, Energy & Sustainability Manager. To learn more about Cal State LA's commitment to sustainability, visit www.calstatela.edu/sustainability.