Waste Reduction
Since 1990, LMU has been at the forefront of waste reduction efforts among North American universities, received numerous environmental stewardship awards, and set a precedent for recycling practices across college campuses.
Waste Disposal Guide
Recycling
DO Recycle:
- Clean paper, cardboard
- Metal cans (aluminum, tin, steel)
- Glass bottles & jars
- Plastic bottles, jugs, tubs (check for local numbers #1 & #2)
- Empty & dry containers only
- Remove produce stickers & rubber bands
DO NOT Recycle:
- Plastic bags & film wrap
- Styrofoam / polystyrene
- Food-soiled containers (greasy pizza boxes)
- Paper towels, napkins, tissues
- Coffee cups & lids (lined with plastic/wax)
- Straws & utensils
- Hoses, ropes, cords, or wires
- Electronics & batteries (special disposal only)
- Clothing or textiles (donate or textile recycling)
- Hazardous materials (paint cans, motor oil, etc.)
Composting
DO Compost:
- Fruits & vegetables
- Dairy & eggshells
- Bread, grains, rice, pasta, beans
- Meat, bones, fish, shells
- Coffee grounds & filters
- Food-soiled paper (napkins, pizza boxes)
- Yard waste (grass, leaves, trimmings)
- Clean untreated wood, bamboo, cork
DO NOT Compost:
- Items labeled “biodegradable” or “compostable” plastics
- Plastics, waxes, coatings
- Glass
- Produce stickers & rubber bands
- Pet waste/litter
- Fats, oils, grease
- Cacti & thorny succulents
Campus Race to Zero Waste
Formerly known as RecycleMania, LMU's participation in the Campus Race to Zero Waste does exactly as the title suggests and their mission reflects a commitment to sustainability.
"Using equitable, just, and friendly competition, the Campus Race to Zero Waste provides tools and opportunities that inspire, empower, and mobilize colleges and universities to benchmark and improve efforts to reduce or eliminate waste."
LMU became the first school in history to win back-to-back championships in all three major categories for the Campus Race to Zero Waste – the nation’s premier waste reduction and recycling competition among colleges and universities.
Since the competition’s inception in 2001, LMU has won five national championships. In 2022, the university won the Food Organics, Diversion, and Per Capita categories for medium-sized schools, and became the first school to repeat all three categories again in 2023.
Annual Waste Minimization and Diversion Statistics
(2022-2023 Academic Year)
- Materials Recycled: 2,104 Metric tons
- Materials Composted: 1,093 Metric tons
- Materials Donated/Re-sold: 6,100 Metric tons
- Materials diverted from the landfill: 96.40%
- Materials recycled, composted, donated and/or re-sold: Paper, plastics, glass, metals, and other recyclable containers, food, cooking oil, plant materials, animal bedding, white goods (i.e. appliances), electronics, laboratory equipment, furniture, residence hall move-in/move-out waste, scrap metals, pallets, and tires