You’ve probably never wondered what happens to plastic cups, half-eaten muffins, and cans after you toss them into the bin at a UCSF event. Why would you? After all, once you are done with it, it’s just that, you are done – toss and forget.
What if we told you that before the waste leaves UCSF premises, UCSF Facilities Services, Recycle and Waste Program team examines the bags and audits their contents?
Of course, this does not happen after all events, but the team went through enough bags after many events at both Parnassus Heights and Mission Bay campuses to learn two things:
- event attendees are not clear on what goes where
- single-use drinkware, which make up a large volume of recycled material, can be avoided.
Improving individual habits in both areas can have significant impacts on climate change and health. “Some people think that individual actions do not matter; that they carry little significance and overall impact, but I like to compare individual actions to voting. You think your sorting doesn't make a difference, but collectively it does, just like voting. That is how you move the needle and bring forth change,” says Daniel Chau, recycling program manager.
Where does this go?
Do you know where soiled napkins go? What about paper plates with that shiny coating that prevents them from getting soggy? What about a soda, pop, bubbly, can?
The audits show that around 50% of people do not know what waste goes into which bin. “Sorting can get very confusing, especially when it depends on the state of the item,” says Chau. “The thing to keep in mind is that UCSF has tools to help you navigate any tricky sorting, so when in doubt, look it up. The time it takes you to properly sort your waste is worth it because if you do not you increase pollution and climate change.” Chau is referring to the fact that food waste that ends up in landfill generates methane, which is 25 times more potent than Carbon Dioxide (CO2) when it comes to contributing to climate change.
Next time you are facing the landfill, recycle, and compost bins while holding a paper and foil sandwich wrapper, a paper coffee cup with a lid, and the Italian peppers that you picked off your hot sandwich, go to zerowaste.ucsf.edu to find your answers.
Quicks tips:
- Empty your plastic containers, cans, vessels, and such before recycling them
- Place paper cups labeled compostable into compost, if there is no label, into recycling
- Soiled paper takeout containers and wrappers should be composted
- Yes, you do need to clean out plastic containers before recycling them. Instead of rinsing them, Chau recommends whipping them clean with a paper towel and composting it before recycling the clean container.
Replace Single-Use Cups
Chances that you have a cupboard overflowing with reusable mugs, water bottles, and tumblers are high, so why are you still using paper and plastic cups during catered events?
Recycle and Waste Program’s audit found that on average, one event participant disposes of 3-4 items per event, a cup being one of them. To reduce the individual waste count, we suggest using a water bottle instead of the provided cup.
A water bottle is a better option because in addition to getting water at the event you can refill throughout the day at the numerous hydration stations UCSF offers. You can even find the nearest hydration station via the UCSF Mobile App.
