Did you know most of UBC’s garbage can be recycled? Right now we’re recycling less than half of it.We are on our way to a “Zero Waste” future! UBC is aspiring to be a “Zero Waste” campus where all unwanted products and materials will be treated as resource that can be used again. To achieve this vision we are developing tar...

UBC is developing a comprehensive Waste Action Plan based on a campus waste audit and consultations with students, staff, faculty, and working groups. The Plan will outline UBC’s targets to reach new milestones in waste reduction and management, and the actions required to achieve our goals.Campus Waste AuditUBC currently diverts abo...

UBC offers several programs to recycle just about anything on campus. From paper, cardboard, bottles, cans and containers to batteries, Styrofoam, and special items, our handy recycling guide, Recyclopedia, outlines everything that can be recycled at UBC, and how.Recy...

UBC has a closed-loop composting system, which turns food and plant waste into compost used for landscaping right here on campus. UBC’s in-vessel composter can process five tonnes of organic waste daily, and produces compost within two weeks.Regionally, UBC has been an early adopter of organics management and has prioritized the development o...

Electronic waste (e-waste) is the fastest-growing source of waste in North America. UBC offers an e-waste recycling program for UBC community members to recycle their computers, monitors and electronic accessories responsibly.Rapid advances in technology result in obsolete electronic equipment, which often ends up in the landfill. E-waste does ...

reuse-it! UBC facilitates the reuse of goods between departments on campus, to reduce the number of reusable items that enter the waste stream.Launched in March 2011, this online service supports department-to-department transfers of furniture, office supplies and electronic equipment. A t...

Reducing waste is the most important step in waste management. At UBC, we have many initiatives to green our supply chain, reduce paper consumption and promote reusable containers. These programs minimize the volume of materials arriving on campus, and encourage the UBC community to adopt waste reduction behaviours.Greening our Supply Chain...

UBC Risk Management Services coordinates many programs and initiatives to reduce the waste produced by UBC’s research activities, and to minimize hazardous waste on campus.Programs and initiatives include:Hazardous Wa...

As part of the Vancouver Campus Plan, UBC has made it mandatory for 75 per cent of construction waste from institutional buildings to be diverted from the landfill. All new institutional buildings on campus must achieve a minimum LEED Gold...

The Waste Free UBC Committee consists of a diverse group of students, staff, faculty and UBC community residents. Committee members brainstorm and collaborate to identify campus waste reduction strategies and waste diversion opportunities.Committee MembersAlma Mater Society...

In addition to UBC’s comprehensive recycling and waste programs, we’ve created several resources to help you recycle and adopt sustainable practices across campus.RecyclopediaCheck out the ...