Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I get recycling and waste collection services for an event?
A: The Physical Plant waste management team can help you determine what you need. Put in a request on the CruzFix system or contact the work order desk (831-459-4444; wodesk@ucsc.edu). More information is available on the Zero Waste Events Guide.
Q: How do I arrange for containers to do an office cleanup?
A: The Physical Plant waste management team can deliver containers to your office and empty them. Put in a request on the CruzFix system or contact the work order desk (831-459-4444; wodesk@ucsc.edu). Please specify the location, what kind of materials you have, and when you need the containers.
Q: Do things in the recycling and compost containers really get recycled?
A: As much of the material that can be physically and economically recycled is recycled.
Campus collection trucks take recyclable materials to a separation plant at ReGen Monterey in Marina. Corrugated cardboard goes to the City of Santa Cruz plant. The plants separate the different materials with mechanical and manual processes. Each material is packed into its own bales and shipped to a recycling facility that specializes in breaking the items down so the raw material can be used by a manufacturer.
There are multiple problems that can occur in this series of events to reduce the amount that gets all the way through.
- People put trash and non-recyclable items into the recycling bins. If collection staff sees it is mostly non-recyclable, it may get dumped into the landfill bin.
- In the separation process, trash and non-recyclables left over at the end of process go into landfill bins.
- Some bales of material turn out not to be in good enough condition and the recycling facility rejects them. This happens with paper or cardboard that is wet, and PET containers that have too many other plastics in them.
The material in the compost/organics bins is taken to the Keith Day Company in Marina (see this video) where it is mixed with green waste. This facility removes noticeable items it can't compost, grinds up the good stuff, puts it into long rows that are aerated, watered, and turned until most of the material is broken down. It screens out larger material and waste that won't break down before more row composting is done. The final product is shipped to vineyards and orchards in the area where there is a high demand.
What can reduce the amount that gets fully composted?
- By far the biggest problem is when users put trash or non-compostable items in the bins. The contents of multiple bins each week have to be thrown into the landfill because they contained things like plastic bags, foil, and coated paper items.
