Did You Know CU Has an On-Campus Recycling Facility?

The University of Colorado proudly operates the Recycling Operations Center (ROC), an essential link between our campus buildings and the end markets for recycled materials. The ROC’s primary goal is to capture recyclable materials and ensure that they are sorted correctly so they can be sold to end markets and recycled to their best use—generating revenue that helps offset the operating costs of the recycling program.

A Unique Partnership for Student Success

The ROC is a collaborative effort between the E-Center and Facilities Management. While Facilities Management handles the collection and hauling side, students from the E-Center are responsible for the sorting process, ensuring material is recycled correctly and there are enough empty and clean bins to go back out on campus. This partnership not only provides valuable on-campus employment but also offers hands-on experience for students pursuing careers in environmental fields.

Recycling: More Jobs, Less Waste

Recycling generates 36 times more jobs than landfilling, and the ROC is a shining example of this fact. Beyond generating revenue, the ROC is dedicated to reducing campus waste in multiple ways:

• Lab Materials: The center collaborates with various E-Center departments to coordinate the recycling and reuse of items such as pipette boxes and plastic film from campus laboratories.
• Move-Out Programs: During move-out periods, the ROC helps coordinate recycling and reuse efforts, diverting a significant amount of material to reuse each year.

These initiatives create numerous opportunities for students to engage with sustainability practices while learning about waste reduction.

Overcoming Compost Challenges and Maximizing Impact

Composting is another critical component of the ROC’s work. Although recent state regulations have limited our ability to compost paper and compostable plastics, the center continues to compost other organic materials wherever possible. For example, the ROC partners with campus coffee shops to collect and compost used coffee grounds. It’s important to remember that while something may be recyclable, it isn’t necessarily compostable. To learn more about industrial composting in Colorado, check out these resources:

Check out current compost information here! 

From Sorting to Shipping

Once contaminants are removed from the recycling line, paper and containers are collected from their respective lines into bins at the end and then transferred to the tipping floor. Here, the recyclable materials are weighed and recorded before being tipped into large bins. These bins are later sent to the Boulder County Recycling Center, where the materials are baled and shipped to end markets.

Why Recycling Matters

Being sustainable starts with a commitment, and recycling requires effort—but the benefits are countless. Working at the ROC has shown me how crucial recycling is and how vital it is for everyone to participate in the process. Not only does recycling help protect our planet, but it also brings our community together. Understanding both how to recycle and the impact it has on the environment empowers us to build a more sustainable future.

If you are interested in learning more about the ROC and what we do click here to schedule a tour. Tours are available for individuals, groups and classes.

If you are passionate about recycling and want to volunteer with Ralphes’s Green Stampede click here to volunteer

All pictures were sourced from Grounds & Recycling Operations Center (GROC) | Environmental Center | University of Colorado Boulder.