Green LMU FAQs

Sustainability is catering to the needs of our current world without compromising the lives of future generations. This can be done by using resources responsibly, and ensuring that both current and future populations can prosper. The idea of sustainability is built on three main pillars: the environment, society, and the economy. When a system benefits the environment, people, and the economy, we move closer to achieving true sustainability.

Reusables are products designed for multiple uses, such as stainless steel water bottles, or cloth bags, which reduce waste over time. Single-use plastics, like straws or plastic wrap, are meant to be used once and then discarded, contributing to pollution. The key difference lies in their lifespan and environmental impact: reusables are more sustainable, while single-use plastics create more waste.

The Recycling Center is located near the Lincoln Blvd campus entrance, just past the University bridge and attached to the Drollinger parking garage.

For now, all batteries and e-waste can by collected by creating a work order with quality.FM@lmu.edu and they can send someone to pick it up. There is also a battery collection box located in the Mailing Room (Univerity Hall 1111). E-waste is consolidated at the on-site recycling center and then processed by certified e-waste companies. 

We get it. Recycling can be tricky. 

Not all plastics (even ones with the recycling symbol on them) can be recycled in our area, as items accepted vary from location to location. Recycling rules differ from city to city because local facilities have different equipment, costs, and contracts, and only accept materials that can actually be processed and sold. Always check your local recycling guide, since what’s recyclable in one place might not be in another.

The City of Los Angeles accepts plastic marked with numbers #1, #2, and #5, whereas LMU is not able to collect #5 plastics.

A general rule of thumb: If the plastic is soft or it "crinkles", like a plastic bag, it is not recyclable.

For more tips of recycling, visit our Waste Guide page

As of right now, all food and liquids, as well as green waste, are accepted as compost at the Lair Dining Hall. At this moment, our infrastructure is unable to accept fiber based utensils and/or biodegradable/compostable plastics (often seen in dish ware and cutlery). With the in-vessel composter coming to our campus in Fall 2025, we will soon be able to accept more compostables and at a wider scale across campus.

One of the tools we use to measure our environmental, economic, and social progress of our sustainability efforts is through the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Reporting System (STARS). Each year, we submit this report to the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). STARS not only helps Green LMU understand how we compare to other higher education institutions but also provides a transparent way for the public to view our progress.

Energy efficiency means getting more done with less energy, while energy conservation focuses on reducing energy use. Efficiency often involves upgrading systems (like HVAC) to use less energy, while conservation is about behavior changes, like turning off lights when not needed. Replacing an incandescent bulb with an LED and turning it off when not in use combines both.