Program Information
The Campus Recycling Program began in 1998 with a 7% diversion rate meaning that back then 93% of all material discarded from UCSF was ending up in landfill. Today, UCSF is diverting over 70% of materials away from the landfill either as recycling, compost, or reuse. UCSF is mandated by the University of California Office of the President (UCOP) to meet waste reduction goals and to achieve a waste diversion goal of Zero Waste.
The Campus Recycling Program’s goal is to incorporate best practices in recycling and waste reduction throughout UCSF and continue increasing our diversion rate, year after year. Recycling and waste reduction training is available for anyone on campus upon request. Questions related to recycling, compost, or reuse can be directed to the Recycling Hotline at 415-502-6808 or email recycling@ucsf.edu.
UCSF’s Recycling Program is working hard to ensure recycling and composting are easy and convenient. Your participation will help ensure that UCSF can reach its waste diversion goals. Thank you for taking time to learn the right way to reduce waste.
For more information regarding the program visit the Office of Sustainability webpage below:
Office of Sustainability | Campus Waste
Service Information
Covered Services effective as of July 1st, 2025:
Topic | Description |
|---|
Covered Services | - Recycling and compost containers
- Routine recycling material pick up (Custodial)
- Drop-off recycling carts (a.k.a. “toters”) for move outs, major clean-ups
- Trainings and orientations for staff to learn how to dispose of waste correctly
- Evaluation of work area discard procedures as part of the Green Office/Green Lab certification review
- Labs and office evaluations to explain how to best discard unneeded items
- Pick-up of donatable office supplies (must be neatly boxed by donor)
- Pick-up of donatable lab supplies (must be pre-approved by Campus Recycling Program and E-waste will not be picked up)
- E-waste and Styrofoam recycling drop-off days are scheduled: Parnassus 4x/year and Mission Bay 4x/year
- Additional trash containers
- Excess trash removal
- Improper use of trash, recycle, or compost containers
- Pick-up of excessive or unusual materials
- Wood or plastic pallets
- Crates
- Non-flattened cardboard
- Furniture and furniture parts
- Large E-waste (i.e., large printers on wheels) that are brought to the otherwise free E-waste drop off days
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Centralized Waste Disposal Program | To achieve a waste diversion goal of Zero Waste, daily servicing of centralized waste locations will be provided to all common areas, such as kitchens, restrooms, conference rooms, and corridors only. All other areas, such as personal offices, cubicles, desks, and huddle rooms, will not be serviced as part of this program.
Centralized Waste Disposal FAQ |
Special Materials | The Campus Recycling Program helps facilitate the disposal of standard recycling, compost, and waste materials, and coordinates special material handling for cell phones, batteries, toner cartridges, and scrap metal. To find out where to drop off special materials, visit the Special Materials page for more information.
Special Materials Information |
Logistics | Logistics Services can handle cross-campus and medical and laboratory equipment moves, large item storage, and capital asset surplus disposal. It is important to note that if items are abandoned in the corridor outside of your space, it will violate the State’s Fire Code Title 19 and your department will be charged with a fee along with the cost to remove the items.
Contact Logistics Services |
Video: How to Pick the Right Bin for Recycling, Composting and Disposing at UCSF.
