Waste
Reduce – Reuse – Recycle. It’s a phrase that’s been around for decades, but how many people really know what it means? Recycling is great, but it’s a last resort. First and foremost we should reduce our consumption of raw materials. If there is a product/material that we must have, then we should be sure to utilize it as much as we can. When the product/material no longer serves a purpose, in its original form or altered state, then it is appropriate to recycle the item.
Cal Poly Pomona complies with state waste diversion laws, and seeks to completely eliminate the amount of waste sent to the landfill.
What CPP is Doing
The university has developed and implemented a comprehensive waste and recycling program. Working collaboratively with the campus community, Facilities Management oversees areas of waste prevention, recycling, composting, recycled product research, public education and campus recycling procedures. A plan has been developed to comply with all federal, state, and local statutes and regulations governing solid waste issues.
The CSU system is committed to designing an excellent 50% waste reduction and recycling program. Facilities Management is instrumental in making this program successful; program information is listed below.
- Cell Phone Recycling Program: Facilities Management collects old cell phones and either sends them to charitable organizations or appropriate recycling facilities.
- Furniture Reuse: Surplus furniture is kept on campus for reuse by departments as an alternative to purchasing new items.
- Garden Waste Reduction: Landscape trimmings are transformed into mulch to be used around campus for ground cover
- Keeping Clean with Waste Reduction: Custodial Services purchases products in bulk or concentration to minimize waste associated with cleaning.
- Post-Consumer Purchasing: Guidelines were developed to encourage purchasing of items with long life cycles and recycled content.
- Toner & Cartridge Recycling: Recycling stations are set-up around campus for toner cartridges.
- Comingled Recycling Program: The university recycling program allows acceptable materials listed below to be placed into a single container. Separating these is no longer necessary.
Acceptable Items
- All Paper
- All Cardboard
- Plastic bottles (empty)
- Glass bottles (empty)
- Aluminum cans (empty)
- Magazines
- Styrofoam
- Catalogues
- Books
- Newspaper
- Shredded paper (bagged)
- Phone books
Unacceptable Items
- Wet trash
- Food items
- Broken glass
- Used napkins or paper towels
- Restroom trash