Resources
AS Sustainability has phased out cardboard recycling services and no longer offers pickup services. Large cardboards should be flattened and recycled at campus bins nearest to your offices. Please contact PPM at (818) 677-2222 for questions about general recycling procedures and bin locations.
Recyclable:
- Plastics #1-7
- Mixed paper
- Cardboard
- Aluminum cans
- Other metals
- Glass containers
Non-Recyclable:
- Plastic wrap
- Food wrappers
- Foam
- Rubber
- Ceramic
- Compostable items (Look at Organics/Compost Tab)
Cardboard Recycling Guidelines
- Remove all contents
- Break down and flatten all cardboard containers
- No waxed or lined boxes
- Staples, labels and tape are acceptable
RecycleNation
Search where to recycle almost any material
CalRecycle
Learn more about local environmental information, services, and resources in California.
LA Sanitation Recycling
Learn more about LA City recycling services and it's programs available.
General links
Californians Against Waste
Learn about recycling issues affecting California and legislation pertaining to different issues
CalRecycle
Learn how to begin recycling, and get posters and other materials
County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works
A County of Los Angeles portal to a number of award-winning programs that help residents, businesses, and government keep the County clean and sustainable
California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery
Home of California’s recycling and waste-reducing efforts
Grassroots Recycling Network
National network of waste reduction and zero-waste resources
How to Recycle Anything
Learn how to dispose of the items we use most often.
The Theodore Payne Foundation
Promotes the understanding and preservation of California native flora
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Learn about the government agency that develops and enforces environmental regulations, educates people about the environment, and studies environmental issues
-->
Department of Public Works
Free and convenient ways to dispose of unwanted hazardous items
EPA Household Hazardous Waste
How to handle household hazardous waste.
Local Household E-waste Recycling
LA SAFE Centers
Inkjet and Toner Cartridge Recycling
- All manufacturers provide a pre-paid shipping labels for all cartridges. All the end-user would need to do is just put the old cartridge in the new packaging and send it back.
- Staples Advantage can ONLY take cartridges if purchased through them
- Information from each manufacturer on how to recycle cartridges
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
Provides energy services and resources for the city of Los Angeles
LADWP
Learn more about water conservation, water quality, and future demands for water in Los Angeles.
CSUN has designated organics/compost bins on campus to help achieve our Zero Waste Goal. These organics/compost bins can be found all over campus including inside building hallways, dining locations, and outside locations.
Compostable items include:
- fruits and vegetables
- meats and fats
- dairy products
- eggshells
- grains and bread
Non-compostable Items:
- NO wrappers, cups, or containers
Sustainable Purchasing Guide
This guide makes it easy to consider the environment when purchasing everyday office supplies. Discover sustainable products and brands that can help minimize waste in the workplace.
Staples
Wide variety of green office products.
Green Seal
Learn about products that have been given the green seal of approval.
Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education
Provides resources, professional development and a network to help in sustainability efforts on campus.
California Higher Education Sustainability Conference
The California Higher Education Sustainability Conference (CHESC) highlights cutting-edge research, as well as case studies with proven successes in curriculum development, operational programs, and community partnerships. This unique event is jointly organized by independent / private colleges, California Community Colleges, California State Universities, and the University of California creating the opportunity for dialogue across institutions.
Green Event Guide
The Green Event Guide is designed to implement sustainable practices and create a more eco-friendly environment for students, faculty, and the CSUN community. While some of the green aspects below may not be feasible to implement at your event, by doing what you can, you can work towards improving your future events. For more information contact AS Sustainability at (818) 677-4262, we would love to offer our help in making your events more sustainable!
Sustainable Resource Guide
This guide will provide you with simple and effective ways to make sustainability a part of your everyday routine.
- Use technology instead of paper to spread the message. Set up an event website, email invitations and create online sign-up lists. CSUN MIND screens are a great way to reach out to students and faculty interested in on-campus events. You can also use tablets or laptops for surveys, social media, QR codes, PowerPoint.
- Chalk on sidewalks is another fun way to catch people’s attention and get them excited for the event.
- If paper is a must, use post-consumer recycled paper with soy or vegetable-based inks, and avoid lamination or bright colors. Present information in the most compact manner possible, and don’t buy large quantities that will end up in the trash. Double-sided fliers or printing on the back of scratch paper is another option.
- Reusing is one of the best practices for greening events. Order banners, posters and organic cotton shirts without the date for annual events.
- Host giveaways with recycled content while avoiding single-use items and excess packaging. Buy locally or give gift cards to local businesses.
- Repurpose items, such as cardboard and bottles, to make signs, games, paintings, plant holders and other decorations.
- Reuse table cloths and decorations, or borrow them from friends and family.
- Avoid paper fliers that most likely will not be read. Offer email sign-up sheets for those seeking more information.
- Avoid strobe lights or any lighting that needs to be plugged in. Better yet, throw your event during the day and use Earth’s natural lighting.
- If things must be plugged, in consider renting or purchasing a biodiesel generator for future events.
- Use washable dishware, reusable plates, cups, cloth napkins and utensils that participants can keep. Use compostable recycled content or recyclable service ware. Also, consider finger foods that don’t require plates and utensils.
- For beverages, use reusable cups or water bottles that are #1 recyclable plastic. Alternatively, you can have people bring their own reusable bottles or order bottles for the event that guests can take home as a giveaway.
- Avoid individually packaged items like condiments, and use pump dispensers. Buy products in bulk, and avoid Styrofoam.
- Serve meals buffet style, and include food that doesn’t require heating or refrigeration. If you’re ordering food, choose places that are nearby, plan quantities carefully and avoid individually wrapped items. Choose organic or locally grown products, and donate leftovers.
- Anticipate your waste, and consider what will be thrown away. By knowing what will be thrown away, you can strategically assign different containers for recyclables, compostable items, and waste. Strategically place bins next to trash bins in high traffic areas.
- Create signage for bins, so your attendees know where to put their recyclables.
- Color coordinate bins: blue for paper, green for bottles and cans, yellow for compost, and black for trash.
- If you don’t have recycling receptacles, get creative and use boxes or bags to collect items.
- Inform guests of recycling opportunities by making announcements throughout the event.
- Choose venues that are close to campus or centrally located, so attendees don’t have to drive long distances.
- Remind guests about on campus programs such Zipcar, provided to help CSUN students to make arrangements for carpool and car rentals.
- Promote other modes of transportation, such as bicycling or commuting by bus.
- Schedule the event during nonpeak hours.
- Choose venues and hotels that are environmentally friendly or, contact the venue ahead of time and make recycling arrangements.
- Rent a bus to transport everyone to the venue. If possible rent a bus that uses alternative fuel.
- Consider email, video chat and telephone meetings.
- Discourage printing and use a projector to display notes or agendas. Instead of printouts, access information via email, flash drives or document sharing programs, such as Dropbox or Google Drive. Instead of paper flip charts, use white board and eco-friendly dry erase markers.
- If paper is needed, print on both sides and use minimum 50 percent post-consumer recycled content paper or print on scratch paper. You can also shrink notes so you can print four pages on one sheet.
- Use reusable paper clips instead of staples.
- Use reusable name tags instead of stickers.
- Make announcements to remind attendees about greening efforts.
- Remind the clean-up crew to break down cardboard boxes and store any reusable decorations or table cloths.
- Consider buying centerpieces that will be reused in the future.
- Use nontoxic cleaning supplies and cloth rags instead of paper towels.
- Ask volunteers to help collect and /or sort the recyclables.