Recycling
Campus Recycling and Refuse Services recycles mixed paper, cardboard, and beverage containers, and collects plant material and dining hall food scraps for composting and mulching. In addition, they recycle special materials from residence hall move-in and move-out. The department sponsors the Residential Sustainability Education Coordinators and the Re-USE shop (described below). Internships and volunteer opportunities are available (recycle.berkeley.edu; 11A Edwards Track; recycle@berkeley.edu; 510/643-4612).
Overstock and Surplus Operation sells used computer equipment, furniture, bikes, and vehicles. Campus surplus items, some even new, are all sold at discount prices; and students will receive a 20% discount off posted prices (businessservices.berkeley.edu/overstock; 1000 Folger Avenue; 510/643-5330).
Re-USE (The Re-Used Stuff Emporium) is a materials exchange that collects unwanted, reusable items for free re-distribution to the campus community—faculty, students, and staff. These items include office and school supplies, readers, housewares, and knick-knacks. Mini-Re-USEs are maintained across campus. For more information, visit the website (reuse.berkeley.edu; reuse_contact@berkeley.edu).
RSECs (Residential Sustainability Education Coordinators) are students living in the residence halls who are passionate about the environment and want to educate their peers about greener ways of living. They lead hands-on activities, tabling, and special events; paid and volunteer positions are available (11A Edwards Track; ssec@lists.berkeley.edu; 510/643-4263).
The Office of Sustainability works to make UC Berkeley an environmental leader and a more sustainable organization. The primary work of the Office of Sustainability is to continually improve the sustainability of campus operations, especially through reductions in campus greenhouse gas emissions. The campus has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to reach 1990 levels by the year 2014, a goal that is six years earlier than the State of California and UC requires (sustainability.berkeley.edu/OS; calcap.berkeley.edu; Lisa McNeilly at lmcneilly@berkeley.edu, 510/643-5907; Kira Stoll at stoll@berkeley.edu, 510/642-0074).
Other community resources
City of Berkeley Curbside Recycling: call 510/981-7270 and press 2 for apartments with ten units or more; call 510/527-5555 for single-family homes and apartments with nine units or fewer.
The Alameda County Waste Management Authority (StopWaste) assists with waste reduction, public education, home composting, and environmentally preferable product procurement (stopwaste.org; 510/639-2498).
Berkeley Recycling Center Buyback and Drop-off accepts aluminum, glass, newspaper, tin cans, and mixed paper at their buyback on Gilman and Second Street (berkeleyrecycling.org; info@berkeleyrecycling.org; 510/524-5355).
The Ecology Center has a large library of recycling information (ecologycenter.org; 2530 San Pablo Avenue; erc@ecologycenter.org; 510/548-3402).
Greenish housing
The Global Environment Theme Program, co-sponsored by the College of Natural Resources, provides a living and learning environment for students interested in social, economic, and scientific issues affecting Earth’s urban, rural, and global environment. For housing applications and more information, check online or contact the Office of Student Development/Residential Living, Global Theme Program (housing.berkeley.edu/theme/global.html; 2610 Channing Way; 510/642-3213).