The University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) is committed to reducing resource waste and pollution through waste management programs and effective communication. UCSB has been implementing waste reduction, reuse, recycling, composting, and repurposing programs and practices for the past five decades. With the new County ReSource Center, recyclables and organics are separated from trash, and organics are transformed into compost and energy that powers up to 3,000 homes per year. With this new facility additional waste from our trash is diverted from the landfill while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Recycling and composting on campus is still encouraged as the preferred alternative.
Single Use Plastics Policy
The UC campuses are phasing out single-use plastics as part of our waste reduction efforts. The UC Policy on Sustainable Practices requires each UC to transition away from plastic bags in retail and dining locations and eliminate single-use plastic foodservice items and beverage bottles.
Check out UC’s Single Use Plastics Policy Guide for students to see some preferred and acceptable alternatives to common plastic items!
SB 1383
UCSB is working towards compliance with SB 1383 which requires non-local entities that generate food waste to donate edible food to local food recovery services and organizations.
Source Reduction
UCSB is committed to reducing resource use by implementing sustainable procurement and use practices, such as restricting the use of virgin paper, expanded polystyrene (EPS), single-use plastics, and setting procurement guidelines for printer furniture, and equipment that reduce life cycle impacts.
1,456
Pounds of Food Donated
During the 2023 Give Day Sale, 1,456 pounds (0.728 tons) of food were donated to the UCSB Associated Students Food Bank.
540
Pounds of Waste
about 540 lbs of waste is generated per person each year at UCSB
65%
Diversion
Each year UC Santa Barbara diverts about 65% of its waste stream from the landfill through recycling and composting.