Theme: Waste Diversion & Reduction

These projects focus on how to reduce the amount of waste produced on campus, encourage behavior changes that reduce waste production, or explore avenues of recycling/compost/reuse that allow us to lower our campus's waste footprint. 

Integrated Plastics Recycling

Project Description

This research facility, located at the Richmond Field Station, north of Berkeley, will process the University's plastic and recycling waste through proper collection, sorting, and redistribution. This project will allow for the UC Berkeley to expand recycling and reuse programs, reduce its carbon footprint, and create research and education opportunities for students and the community of Richmond. The team is working to incorporate 3-D printing into the project by reprocessing our plastic waste into 3-D printing filament.

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Waste Diversion in University Village

Project Description

University Village will remedy the mismatch in messaging around the Zero Waste goal and public waste infrastructure by using TGIF funds to replace single-bin trash cans in the Village’s public spaces with three-compartment Max-R bins. These bins, which have prominent visual signage for each compartment and thus have high collective visual impact, will serve as a launch point for renewed and sustained educational outreach to improve waste separation and diversion.

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Rentable Reusables

Project Description

The ASUC Internal Department of Sustainability (IDS) intends to purchase a set of dining ware (plates, bowls, cups, silverware, etc.) for Cal Catering to store and rent out to Berkeley student organizations so that they can host zero waste events and meetings.

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Vermicomposting

Project Description

In efforts to better campus' waste management practices and improve waste-related knowledge and transparency, UC Berkeley affiliates are working towards developing the capacity to process all of campus’ organic waste matter in-house. Due partially to permitting restrictions, but also to ensure diverse methodology and research opportunities, the group will be introducing the following three different composting systems: 1) The first is an experimental aquaponics system, inspired by Sacramento State's. This innovative and newly developed system offers research...

Waste Not, Want Not: Zero Waste Events

Project Description

This grant increase campus efforts to hold zero waste events by supporting Cal Dining, hiring a student intern, funding medium-sized zero waste campus events, and collaborating with the Office of Sustainability’s Green Event Certification.

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Getting to Zero Waste: Waste Audits

Project Description

Funding will allow CRRS to standardize and perform week-long waste audits in collaboration with student interns, providing needed metrics for UC Berkeley's zero waste plans.

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Zero Waste Research Center & Plastic Disclosure Project

Project Description

This grant will fund five student interns charged with running a Zero Waste Research Center and Plastic Disclosure Project to address the issues surrounding upstream waste that currently prevent UC Berkeley from attaining its zero waste goal.

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Compost Alliance: Institutionalizing In-House Composting

Project Description

The grant will assist Compost Alliance in continuing compost implementation within campus buildings in order to reach “critical mass” and work with campus officials to institutionalize composting as an in-house operation.

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Wurster Hall Waste Management

Project Description

Funding will be used to pilot an indoor recycling program with standardized bins, signage, and education to then be implemented campus-wide, pending results.

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Minimizing Hazardous Waste Through Chemical Exchange

Project Description

This grant will fund a student intern charged with creating an online chemical exchange program to reduce the quantity of chemicals purchased by UC Berkeley, reduce the amount of hazardous materials in storage, and reduce hazardous waste disposal and associated costs

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