About Us

At-a-Glance | White Paper | History | Blueprint/Long Term Planning | SWAB

At-A-Glance

Established in 1976, CU Recycling has become one of the leading campus recycling programs in the country. Its mission is to divert recyclables from the waste stream cost-effectively while promoting the benefits of recycling and resource conservation and providing opportunities for meaningful student involvement. Come see what we’ve acheived!

(complete document)

White Paper on CU Recycling

A summary of findings and recommendations for resource and waste management at CU-Boulder.

(complete document 28K)

Also see CU’s 2003 report on recycling.

History

2003 Review finds recycling at CU saves money over landfilling; Recycling Financial Advisory Board formed. 2002 CU Recycling researches and publishes Colorado Institutional Food Waste Composting Guide 2001 Student government (UCSU) funds Solid Waste Management Stations on campus, and makes the first year of Residence Hall Automated Cardboard recycling possible 2000 EPA Climate Protection Award given to Environmental Center and CU Recycling 1999 Office of the Federal Environmental Executive selects CU Recycling as the nation’s Model Campus Recycling Program 1998 CU begins administering the Colorado Materials Exchange. 1997 CU’s Green Teams begin outreach on the Hill and other student populated areas of Boulder to encourage and improve recycling 1995 CU Recycling receives National Recycling Coalition’s Recyler of the Year award for Outstanding School Recycling Program 1992 An intermediate processing facility (IPF) is built on campus. 1991 Student-Administrative Partnership between UCSU and Facilities Management is created. 1990 CU wins MTV’s national campus recycling contest. 1989 Chancellor Jim Corbridge appoints a solid waste management task force, later to become Solid Waste Advisory Board (SWAB). 1987 CU President Gordon Gee proclaims April Campus Recycling Month. 1986 CU Recycling is awarded state “Recycler of the Year.” 1985 State personnel position is created by UCSU for a Recycling Director. 1983 CU hosts the Second National Recycling Congress and conducts the first campus recycling workshop. 1980 Office paper program is incorporated into CU Recycling to give students hands-on experience. 1978 Student government (UCSU) establishes CU Recycling with funding for student staff and equipment. 1976 Student volunteers begin newspaper and aluminum can recycling. 1975 The “Waste Not” program, an experimental project by custodians to collect office paper, begins.

Blueprint/Long Term Planning

In April of 2000, the University of Colorado Environmental Center released the Blueprint for a Green Campus. The Blueprint lays out challenging goals in the areas of climate change, transportation, health and safety, and disposal and consumption habits...

(complete document) - Located at CU Environmental center website.

Campus Master Plan - outlines goals and guidelines for the improvement of the University of Colorado at Boulder campus and institution in the areas of Institutional Goals and Planning, Campus Setting, Facilities Needs, Land and Facilities Plan, and Enactment and Implementation Provisions.

Solid Waste Advisory Board

Recognizing the need for more interdepartmental coordination in order to achieve the recycling program’s potential, the Chancellor created the Solid Waste Advisory Board (SWAB) in October 1990. The principal responsibilities of SWAB are to prioritize and coordinate campus solid waste management activities. SWAB is comprised of faculty, staff, students and administrators and has met regularly since its inception.

Although CU is making great strides towards converting its waste from a liability to an asset, there is still plenty of room for improvement. The University community is encouraged to get to know SWAB and participate in its many programs.

SWAB is comprised of students, faculty, staff and administrators and meetson a quarterly basis. The university community is encouraged to join SWAB and get involved in its many activities. For more information, call 303-492-8307.