About Us: CU Recycling
CU Recycling operates as a partnership on campus between Facilities Management, Housing, Dining, the Environmental Center, and many other departments on campus. The main focus is to consistently increase the campus diversion rate while educating the campus population around zero waste, all while providing meaningful student involvement.
- Established in 1976, CU Recycling has become one of the leading campus recycling programs in the country.
- Built by student action and motivation, CU Recycling's integration can be seen through the composting and recycling efforts throughout campus.
- CU’s achievements in recycling have attracted attention from the National Recycling Coalition by being awarded the first "Outstanding School Program" award in 1995.
Tour the CU Boulder campus Recycling Operations Center (ROC)
- Have a CU Recycling staff guide you through a tour how the ROC works
- See everything from recycling vehicles to equipment to operational layout
- Witness students in action processing recycling from campus
- See how CU Recycling operates as a campus department partnership to prepare materials for end markets
Recycling Awards
2019
- Pac 12 Zero Waste Challenge for Football – 1st place with a 86% diversion rate
2018
- Pac 12 Zero Waste Challenge for Football – 1st place with a 92% diversion rate
2017
- Pac 12 Zero Waste Challenge for Football – Athlete/Player Engagement Award
- Pac 12 Zero Waste Challenge for Basketball – 2nd place with a 92% diversion rate
2016
- Pac 12 Zero Waste Challenge for Football – 3rd place with a 87% diversion rate
2006
- Charter Recipient: College Recycling Award, American Forest and Paper Association
2005
- Higher Education Recycling Leadership Award, Dell Computer Corporation.
- Honorable Mention, RecycleMania Campaign, Colorado Association for Recycling.
- Most Creative University Event, America Recycles Day.
2000
- Climate Protection Award, US Environmental Protection Agency.
- Event Award, America Recycles Day, Colorado Association for Recycling.
1999
- Nation’s Model Campus Recycling Program, Office of the Federal Environmental Executive
1995
- Charter Recipient: Outstanding School Program, National Recycling Coalition.
1993
- Annual Award, PLAN Boulder County
1992
- EPA Administrator's Award for CUPPS (reusable mug) program
- Governor's Pollution Prevention award, State of Colorado
1990
- Winner of MTV’s national campus recycling contest.
- Administrators’ Award, US Environmental Protection Agency.
1986
- "State Recycler of the Year" award from Colorado Recycles!