Zero Waste
CSULB is committed to addressing the issue of waste through the university's zero waste program, Waste Not.
Reducing the amount of waste generated on campus is an important goal because it helps conserve resources, protect the natural environment, and avoid greenhouse gas emissions generated by waste that ends up in the landfill. Advancing towards the goal of becoming a zero waste campus is also a key priority of the university's Climate Action and Adaptation Plan.
But what does "zero waste" actually mean?
According to the Zero Waste International Alliance, zero waste is an ethical, efficient, and visionary goal that encourages people to adopt sustainable lifestyles by emulating natural systems. In nature, waste doesn’t exist—what one system discards becomes fuel for another, forming a closed-loop cycle.
Inspired by this, zero waste aims to redesign products and rethink consumption so materials can re-enter the cycle. It emphasizes reducing resource use and reusing items as much as possible.
While recycling and (industrial) composting do help divert waste, they require significant energy and should be the last option prior to landfilling or incinerating waste.
What are CSULB's zero waste goals?
The Waste Not program is focused on the following goals:
- Educating our community to promote the adoption of zero waste practices
- Encouraging compliance with waste reducing policies such as the CSU Single-Use-Plastics Policy
- Expanding recycling infrastructure on campus
- Developing a campus-wide organic waste diversion program
- Creating educational resources and signage to promote proper waste sorting
- Raising awareness about the environmental and climate impacts of waste
- Engaging students and volunteers in zero waste efforts
Please explore the pages linked on the left to learn more about our zero waste initiatives and ways you can get involved!
