In 1989, the State of California enacted AB 939, the Integrated Waste Management Act. It stipulated that all state entities have “diversion of 50 percent of all solid waste by January 1, 2000 through source reduction, recycling, and composting activities.” Although the University of California was exempt from this mandate, UC Davis, as a responsible and environmentally conscious campus, committed to act in accordance with AB 939. University voluntarily adopts the following waste diversion goals:
- 50% by June 30, 2008
- 75% by June 30, 2012
- and zero waste by 2020
What We Divert
DWR Paper encompasses all mixed paper collected from campus buildings. It is collected by both R4 and custodial staff and delivered by truck to Davis Waste Removal, where it is sorted and processed.
Weyerhaeuser Paper includes confidential paper and hardbound books. Confidential paper is collected by request and deposited into secured bins. Hardbound books are collected by request and deposited into our hardbound book bins. Both are collected by Weyerhaeuser Company and processed at their collection center in West Sacramento.
Cardboard is collected from the various cardboard dumpsters located on campus. Before 2005, cardboard was sorted and bailed on campus before delivery. Currently, it is delivered loose to the Smurfit-Stone Corporation in Sacramento.
Glass, Cans, and Bottles are collected by R4 staff and custodial staff from numerous locations throughout campus. This section includes aluminum cans, glass containers, and bottles consisting of #1 and #2 plastic. These commodities, along with cardboard, are processed by the Smurfit-Stone Corporation in Sacramento.
Metals are collected in the metals bin located south of the R4 Recycling office. It includes any scrap metal materials that come from campus departments and construction sites. Metals are picked up weekly by the Sims Group and delivered to their facility in Sacramento.
Organic Waste includes food waste, straw, bedding, and manure. These materials are composted or used as fertilizer for local farmers. Organic waste is collected on campus by the Veterinary Medicine facility, The Student Farm, Project Compost, the Animal Science facility, and the Green Waste site next to the campus landfill.
