Student Resources

Food waste bins are now available at all residential locations on campus. Food left to decompose in landfills emits methane, which is a greenhouse gas that warms our atmosphere and contributes to climate change. When food waste is composted, it becomes nutrient-dense soil. Some processes can even produce natural gas from the recycled food waste, which can be cleaned and used for vehicles.

Help prevent food waste from ending up in our landfills by following these three easy steps!

Step 1: Pick up a paper food waste bag from any RA desk, or email The Office of Sustainability at sustainability@sandiego.edu to pick one up.

Step 2: Place food waste in paper bag

• Food scraps
• Food-soiled paper (coffee filters, napkins, paper towels)
• Pizza boxes
• Plant trimmings and yard waste
• Do NOT place any "compostable" or "biodegradable" labeled plastic products in the food waste bag.

Tip: Place bag in the freezer to avoid unwanted smells!

Step 3: Place filled food waste bag in the green food waste bins on campus.

Bin locations: Camino/Founders dumpster room, Maher Hall Alcalá Vistas (dumpster area by the tram stop), Manchester Village, dumpster area behind Saints Tekakwitha and Serra Hall, SAPs, University Office Park

Recycling on campus is single-stream, meaning all recyclable materials are put into the same bin and later sorted at the recycling facility.

Recycle the following materials:

• Plastic bottles and containers
• Steel, tin, and aluminum cans
• Glass bottles and jars
• Flattened cardboard and paperboard
• Food and beverage cartons
• Paper
  
  • Envelopes
  • Magazines
  • Newspapers
  • File folders

Make sure all recycled items are free of food residue

Do NOT put the following items in the recycling bin:

• Food
• Hazardous materials
• Light bulbs
• Broken glass
• Foam containers
• Plastic bags, wrap, or film
• Anything labeled "compostable" or "biodegradable"

In an effort to divert material from the landfill and assist those in need, USD partners with Veterans Thrift Store (VTS) for a campus-wide donation program. USD community members can place gently used clothing, linens, housewares, electronics, books, toiletries, etc. in any of the collection bins located around campus.

Collection bins are located at the West Lot Tram Stop, Mother Rosalie Hill Hall (1st floor), Maher Hall (1st floor), the Student Life Pavilion (outside of 2nd floor), Valley, Manchester Hall, and the Alcalá Vistas (parking lot and Palomar Lounge).

Toreros donated 86,650 pounds of items to DAV in FY2023!