Welcome to Cal State LA's Zero Waste Program!
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.
Note: 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.
- 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
Contact
Questions? Please contact Brad Haydel, Energy & Sustainability Manager.
Learn more about Cal State LA's commitment to sustainability.