University of Nevada Las Vegas
OP-23: Waste Diversion

The UNLV Rebel Recycling Program has been steadily growing over the past 19 years to divert larger and more diverse quantities of materials from the landfill. In the past three years, the expansion of recycling at our football stadium and the increase in the number of special events receiving recycling and compostable material collection has been a great achievement. All events at Sam Boyd Stadium have a full recycling team present at set up, event operation and clean up. The recycling program has successfully embedded into the stadiums operations. Zero waste events are now part of the campus planning process in terms of small to large event planning.

The Rebel Recycling Program constantly seeks to divert more tonnages by increasing the types of materials accepted and by expanding our collection infrastructure. We do not have a set amount of money allocated to purchasing recycling bins each year, but when funds are available, we expand the number of new bins placed on campus. We have increased the number of bins at our football stadium (Sam Boyd Stadium) and basketball arena (Thomas and Mack Center) in the last year.

Outreach efforts include participating in events on campus with tabling efforts and/or by providing recycling and food collection bins to special events. We have also done Recyclenmania ReGames events on campus. Take Back the Tap's water bottle exchange programs are educational marketing efforts that promote waste reduction and recycling.

Unfortunately, we do not have a formal food donation program at the moment. Aramark has stated that they are working on implementing one. We do have a UNLV Food Pantry and people donate non-perishable food to it. Aramark and the UNLV Food Pantry have talked about partnering, but as of now, they have not achieved that goal.

All franchises on campus have adopted policies and implement a pre-consumer food waste composting program. UNLV Dining works with Rebel Recycling to ensure that bins are out for all the pre-consumer waste. Rebel Recycling organizes pick up to ensure all waste goes to A1 Organics to make enriched soil or to the RC Pig Farm (started in 2014 so not included in the next drop down menu question).

Post-consumer food waste is collected in two locations. It is collected from our Residence Hall Dining Commons. Patrons put their plates on the conveyor belt and back of the house staff scrap the plates into the food waste collection bin. In our Student Union, five cabinets areas exist for students to place their recyclable and compostable materials.