What You Can Do FUNDS

Sustainability: Taking from the Earth only what it can provide indefinitely, thus leaving future generations no less than we have access to ourselves.

Major Planet interns are here to help! Email majorplanet@ucsd.edu for suggestions/help on programming and to invite us to your event. We love to spread the message! Talk to us about Zero Waste events and all of your environmental questions!

Zero Waste

UC San Diego has a 75% diversion goal by 2012 and a Zero Waste goal by 2020. To achieve these goals, we need to rethink how we handle our waste. In 2009 HDH had a recycling rate of 24% - we've got a lot of work to do and you are the key!

• Rethink what you buy and use
• Look for reusable options first and then make sure it's either recyclable or compostable
• Encourage friends and colleagues to use refillable water bottles (we've placed hydration stations throughout campus)
• Recycle: glass, aluminum, plastic bottles, all paper (without food or human waste)
• Compost: food scraps, "disposable" cups plates, compostable serveware from HDH
• Re-use: permaware dishes (you can even take plates, cups and silverware from Dining Halls back to your residence - just leave them at Toby's Spots when you are done!); Refillable water bottles
• Trash: chip bags, single serve packages
• E-waste: cell phones, batteries, lights, anything with a plug - call 858.246.0730 and we'll tell you were to take it

Residents are responsible for taking out their own trash.

Water Conservation

San Diego is in a drought, which means that we have to conserve. Every drop counts, and saving water is easier than you think! You may not get a bill, but we all pay for wasteful water use! Here are a few things that you can do to reduce water waste and keep California’s drought from getting out of control:

In the bathroom:

• Take shorter showers
• Turn the water off when you brush your teeth
• Don’t use the toilet as a trashcan – fewer flushes saves water
• Report leaking toilets and sinks to maintenance asap
• Turn off the water while you wash your hair
• Turn off the water while you shave
• Turn off the water when you wash your face
• Turn off the water when you wash your hands
• Use your refillable water bottle (every plastic bottle you use requires 5 liters of water to produce!)
• Look for green cleaning options when you buy cleaning products (or use vinegar!)
  

In the kitchen:

• Only run full loads of laundry
• Heat water in the microwave instead of running water until its hot
• Fill the sink with water to wash all dishes at once
  

Outside:

• Report leaking faucets and sprinklers to maintenance
• Choose drought resistant plants
• Use a commercial carwash that recycles water

Energy Conservation

• Turn off computers when you are sleeping or have left for class
• Turn off lights when you leave a room
• Open curtains & blinds to take advantage of natural light
• Use CFLs instead of old fashioned lightbulbs
• Spend less time gaming

What is Recycling? Compost? Trash?

Recycling:

• Aerosol cans (without a propellant)
• Aluminum cans and foil
• Glass, steel, and tin
• Plastic with a #1 or #2 recycling symbol
• Writing paper, tablet paper and tablet cardboard
• White and colored copy paper
• Computer paper
• Colored and triplicate forms
• Sticky notes
• Paper wrappers
• Magazines and newspapers
• All envelopes
• Junk mail
• Telephone books
• Paperback books
• Manila folders
• Cereal boxes and other boxboard
• Corrugated cardboard

Compostable:

• Food
• Compostable plates/cups/napkins/flatware
• Coffee Grounds

Trash:

• Chip bags
• Asian food boxes
• Milk / juice cartons
• Grab & go Wrappers
• Candy wrappers
• Sushi Containers
• Pastry Wrappers
• Ice Cream wrappers
• Chopsticks

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What Cannot be Recycled in Recycling Bins?

• Carbon paper
• Wax or plastic coated paper
• Tissues or paper towels
• Papers or containers contaminated by food or other waste
• Film containers
• Plastic containers with a #3, #4, #5, #6, or #7 recycling symbol
• Styrofoam
• Trash

Why Can't I Recycle Plastics #3 thru #7?
Many plastics feature recycling symbols #3 thru #7, including the take-out containers in the Dining halls. Others include:

• Plastic food wrap
• Yogurt containers
• Vegetable oil containers
• Syrup bottles

Toby's Spot

Let Toby Do the Dishes!
Toby is UC San Diego’s resident super hero eco-dog.  He has made it easy for you to use perma-ware and china dishes instead of disposable containers when you dine at HDH locations.  Dining Services has done away with plastic take-away by introducing compostable disposable containers, but china and perma-ware are even better.  You’ll find compost bins next to the recycle and trash bins at every dining location.

Toby’s Spot is a rolling cart that you’ll find in your ResHall or Apartment community area. Here’s how it works: 

YOU: Take your food back to your room… but not with the takeout containers.  Instead ask for china plates and perma-ware dishes.

WE: Help you protect the environment with less garbage.

YOU: Avoid the clutter and stink of old dishes in your room –Leave your dishes on Toby’s Spot and…

WE: Pick ‘em  up, and wash ‘em so that you can use ‘em again!

Complete the Circle and look for Toby’s Spot!

What Else Can I Recycle, and How?

Computers and Electronic devices (e-waste). Contact UCSD's Environmental Management Facility at 858.534.2753.

Batteries. There are two ways to recycle:

• Discard in the battery disposal bins located around campus. Locations: UCSD Bookstore, Earl's Place in Warren College, MOM at Muir College, and others (ask around!)
• Make a package of your used batteries and drop them in any campus mailbox. Cover the battery terminals with plastic nonconductive tape to prevent the possibility of spark. Place the batteries in a sturdy bag/container. Limit the package weight to 2 lbs or less, and address it to "Used Batteries." No mail code is needed.

Printer Cartridges and Cell Phones. Look for postage paid envelopes in bookstores, libraries, and other locations around campus.

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Beware the new California Waste Laws!
California has long banned e-waste from being thrown away, but in February '06, the law changed to include many more items- and anything with a digital chip. Did you know you can't toss:

• Batteries
• Fluorescent lights
• Products that obviously contain electronics, such as computers, TVs, stereos, MP3 players / ipods, digital cameras, and remote controls
• Digital watches and clocks
• Shoes with flashing lights
• Electrical switches
• Thermometers
• Many printer ink catridges

Where Can I Find More Information?
To find out how to recycle materials not discussed here, or for more info on local recycling programs, please contact the following:

City of San Diego Recycling Department / Environmental Services
858.694.7000
http://www.sandiego.gov

Recycle911 (California State recycling info & programs)
1.877.EARTH911

Bottles and Cans
http://www.bottlesandcans.com

Plastics
http://www.ehow.com

Helpful UCSD websites
http://sustain.ucsd.edu

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