Cal Poly Humboldt is Zero Waste Certified!

The Post-Landfill Action Network (PLAN) has recognized Cal Poly Humboldt with a bronze Zero Waste Certification, earning it a place in PLAN's top Zero Waste Campuses. This certification is the result of a holistic assessment called Atlas, which analyzed Humboldt's capacity to achieve zero waste, highlighting areas where the campus can improve its materials management infrastructure, policies and communications. See Humboldt's Atlas Scorecard, or download the complete Cal Poly Humboldt Atlas Zero Waste Assessment report. Cal Poly Humboldt has been a member of PLAN since 2022.

What is Zero Waste?

Humboldt is committed to Zero Waste, a strategy that takes a ‘whole systems’ approach to products, services and processes, to eliminate the volume and toxicity of waste, to conserve and recover resources, and to not burn or bury them.  Zero waste encourages the redesign of resource lifecycles, so that all materials can be reused, returned, or recycled. Although recycling and organics diversion are critical components to a campus’ zero waste program, emphasis is placed on source reduction and re-use, as per the Zero Waste Hierarchy:

Test Your Waste Sorting IQ!

How well do you know your waste? Take this two-minute quiz and become a waste reduction champion! Go for the win, use the right bin!

• Humboldt Waste Quiz

Humboldt Recycling & Waste Minimization Guides:

• Mixed Recycling Guide
• Universal Waste Recycling Guide
  
• Composting Guide
• Landfill Waste Guide
• Recycling Do's and Dont's
• Zero Waste Guide (2020)

Campus Re-use Programs:

• Reusable Office Supply Exchange (ROSE): student-run store on campus. Donate or find FREE, lightly used classroom, art & office supplies.
• Campus Wall: online marketplace for the Humboldt community. Buy, sell and trade items to others at Humboldt!
• Oh SNAP! Food Pantry and Pop-up Thrift Store: Accepts and distributes donations of non-perishable food, household items and clothing.

Make Your Next Event Zero Waste:

• Zero Waste Events Certification for campus events and parties where food is served
• Download the Certified Zero Waste Event logo for your flyers and invitations

Check Out These Waste Reduction Videos: 

Here are two Humboldt student productions highlighting waste diversion on campus: 

• Guide to Waste & Recycling in the Residence Halls (2020)
• Garbage is Garbage (2012)
  
• Day of the Wasteman (2012)

 Learn More About Our Zero Waste Initiatives:

• Eliminating Disposable Plastics
• Annual Zero Waste Conference
• Achievements in Food Recovery
• Best Practices Award in Innovative Waste Reduction
• Annual "Donation Dash" Diverts Donatable Goods during Move Out