myCSUSM
Recycling FAQ
- Does CSUSM have a composting program?
Yes! We have operated a pre-consumer composting operation on campus for several years. The program included fruit and vegetable clippings from dining services, coffee grounds from Starbucks and Crash's Cafe and we had a few office areas that participated in the program during normal campus operations.
In the summer of 2020 we started a post-consumer composting program at the UVA housing area and expanded the program to a few areas on campus in April 2021. Post-consumer compost waste is leftover cooked food including meat and bones and can include other compostable items such as paper plates and napkins. The program will grow as the campus returns to normal operations.
State Bill 1383 mandates that we reduce our organic waste to 50% of our 2014 rates by 2020 and to 75% by 2025. The campus was not able to meet these requirements previously due to lack of commercial services in the area. We look forward to the new services and making this new program a cultural norm on campus similar to our recycling program.
- Does the CSUSM campus community have to recycle?
Yes! All California government institutions, including colleges and universities, are required by law to implement a mandatory commerical recycling program, provide program education, outreach, monitoring and reporting (per Assembly Bill 341).
Cal State San Marcos strives to make recycling as easy as possible on campus by providing side-by-side trash and recycle bins. If you have questions or suggestions for improvement please let us know as we are always looking for ways to improve the program.
- What can CSUSM recycle?
Metals
- Aluminum/soda cans
- Aluminum food trays
- Aerosol/spray bottles
- Coffee containers
- Foil
- Tin cans
Cardboard & Paper
- Pizza boxes
- Paper cups & insulating sleeves
- Color & white paper
- Post-in notes
- File folders
- Cereal & food boxes
- Juice & milk cartons
Glass
- Bottles
- Jars
Plastics 1 through 7
- Bottles
- Cups & lids
- Food containers
- Rigid plastic
**Empty containers of all food and liquids prior to disposal.**
Have questions or need additional information - contact ZeroWaste@csusm.edu or call 760-750-4625.
**NO plastic grocery bags or sandwich bags** - Does CSUSM have a reuse program?
Yes! We collect extra office supplies (paper, 3-ring binders) and unwanted small office accessories (organizers, staplers) and offer them to the campus community for free.
- If there is no use for these items on campus, we donate to charity.
- If the item is broken, we recycle it or disassemble it, into recyclable parts.
- Our last option is to throw it away.
If you have items to donate to the reuse program, please contact ZeroWaste@csusm.edu. We will make arrangements to pick up your items and even bring boxes if needed.
- Does CSUSM recycle printer cartridges?
Yes. Campus collects used inkjet and laser jet printer cartridges for recycling. Contact Distribution Services or call 760-750-4539 for assistance.
- What about unwanted electronic items?
E-waste (aka elecronic waste) is anything that plugs in or takes batteries.
Contact Distribution Services or call 760-750-4539 if you have electronic items you no longer want.
- If the item is still working, it will either be re-used on campus or donated to charity.
- If it is no longer functioning, it will be recycled as e-waste.
Do not throw these items in the trash.
- Does CSUSM recycle batteries?
Yes. Campus provides several drop off locations to recycle used batteries. Safety Health and Sustainability (760-750-4502) oversees this program, visit their webpage for locations and additional details.
Do not throw these items in the trash.
- What items go in the trash?
Although not a comprehensive list, below are the most commonly questioned items that should go in the trash.
- Plastic bags and plastic food wrap
- Chip bags and snack bags (candy wrappers, granola bars)
- Padded envelopes and packing bubbles
- Stickers and adhesive paper
- Transparencies and laminated paper
- Astro-bright, high gloss & carbon paper
- Picture frame glass and broken glass
- Porcelain and ceramic items
If there is a particular item you would like to ask about please contact - ZeroWaste@csusm.edu or call 760-750-4625.
- Where do I recycle at CSUSM?
We provide side-by-side trash and recycling recycling containers throughout campus inside classrooms, offices and many outside building areas. To make recycling really easy the program is "single stream" where ALL recyclable material can be placed in the one container. Our waste hauler operates a sophisticated sorting facility to separate the different materials. If you have any questions contact - ZeroWaste@csusm.edu.
- How often are the recyclables collected?
- The large community use containers located both indoors and outdoors are serviced daily.
- Personal desk side recycle containers are emptied by the user in the large community use containers. Desk side recycle bins are not serviced by staff.
- Please do not place food or drink containers in the desk side containers as they attract pests, use the large community use containers that are serviced daily.
- To report a container that needs service please contact Facility Services at (760)750-4600.
- When did CSUSM start a recycling program?
In 1993 the following notice was issued to campus:
Starting in August 2, 1993, CSUSM will begin recycling. This recycling program is an aggressive campus-wide activity that will work to recycle a significant portion of our waste material. For your convenience, special color coded recycling containers will be located in convenient locations throughout the University. These containers will help you separate; office paper, cardboard, newspaper, glass, cans and plastic.Please refer to the CSUSM recycling brochure for a detailed list of what is recyclable. If you have any questions or comments please contact Ivalee Clark, at Support Services.
We are asking for your participation in this program so that together we can help save our natural resources, and reduce the amount of material going to the landfill.