Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 71.18
Liaison Kelli O'Day
Submission Date Sept. 13, 2013
Executive Letter Download

STARS v1.2

University of California, Davis
OP-18: Waste Diversion

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.92 / 3.00 Camille Kirk
Director of Sustainability and Campus Sustainability Planner
Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Materials recycled, composted, reused, donated, re-sold, or otherwise diverted :
12,317 Tons

Materials disposed in a solid waste landfill or incinerator :
6,884 Tons

A brief description of programs, policies, infrastructure investments, outreach efforts, and/or other factors that contributed to the diversion rate:

UC Davis has a recycling program in place for campus students, staff and faculty to properly recycle their materials. We divert a variety of materials on campus. Some programs include the Athletics’ zero waste program, office clean-out, organics composting, and zero waste events.

The University of California has a goal of zero waste by 2020. The UC Policy indicates that waste disposal should be prioritized in the following order: reduction, reuse, recycling and composting. The campus policy has several waste management requirements, including the presence of recycling bins in campus buildings. Therefore, buildings on campus all have recycling and landfill bins available. Bins should also have signage and labeling to assist in disposal.

Zero Waste is emphasized during presentations provided for departments about the campus recycling program. Presentations are provided to train and educate campus individuals about recycling, and composting when applicable. Zero Waste is also promoted during large events, such as sports events and campus open house. Large events provide a great opportunity to highlight campus efforts to reduce and recycle waste.


Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

UC Davis has a fairly robust waste reduction and recycling program, including the nation’s first zero waste stadium, and a major organics and food waste diversion program. The campus focus on reducing waste can be traced back to at least 1975, when Bargain Barn opened in an effort to more responsibly dispose of surplus equipment, furniture and supplies. The data in this credit reflects our 2012-13 performance year.


UC Davis has a fairly robust waste reduction and recycling program, including the nation’s first zero waste stadium, and a major organics and food waste diversion program. The campus focus on reducing waste can be traced back to at least 1975, when Bargain Barn opened in an effort to more responsibly dispose of surplus equipment, furniture and supplies. The data in this credit reflects our 2012-13 performance year.

The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.