Waste at Western

General Waste Information

Western Washington University manages multiple waste streams across campus including landfill, single stream recycling, compost, cardboard, and select specialty recycling programs. Solid waste is a key component of Western Washington University’s Sustainability Action Plan (SAP) because of its contribution to Western’s Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions, that is, indirect emissions caused by things like waste disposal, commuting, purchases, and transportation. Improving waste diversion, reducing contamination, and expanding reuse programs are all important strategies to reduce environmental impacts and support Western’s sustainability goals.

Who Is Involved with Waste at Western?

Sanitary Service Company

Waste collection services are provided through Bellingham’s contracted hauler Sanitary Service Company (SSC). SSC provides single stream recycling on campus, with the exception of corrugated cardboard, which is collected separately. All corrugated cardboard should be placed in dedication collection receptacles.

For recycling information, see the SSC Waste Wise Guide.

FDO Waste Operations

Waste Operations student employees and staff keep waste stations functioning and campus waste areas maintained. For waste handling needs, please submit a Ready Request.

Zero Waste Western

Zero Waste Western (ZWW) supports campus waste reduction by helping monitor waste metrics, coordinating outreach and education, installing signage, and sharing resources to improve waste diversion.

Sustainability Engagement Institute

Sustainability Engagement Institute (SEI) supports sustainability leadership and engagement efforts at Western, including implementation and accountability actions aligned with WWU’s Sustainability Action Plan.

University Residences

University Residences supports student communication and programming related to waste sorting, and it provides maps of waste containers for residential use. Student resident engagement is critical to improving waste sorting. 

Waste Sustainability - Why It Matters?

Waste sustainability matters because what we throw away doesn’t just disappear; it affects our environment and the communities around us. On a college campus, smart waste management and proper sorting help cut down on landfill waste, save resources, and reduce our carbon footprint. Small actions like recycling and composting add up, making our campus a cleaner, healthier place and setting habits that last beyond college.

Waste & WWU's Sustainability Action Plan

Western’s 2025–2030 Sustainability Action Plan identifies Solid Waste as a Scope 3 emissions category and outlines strategies to reduce landfill disposal, improve diversion, and strengthen waste tracking and reporting. Waste reduction also supports broader sustainability outcomes, including healthier communities, responsible resource use, and improved compliance with state solid waste requirements. 

Over the next five years, Western is prioritizing the following actions:

  • Standardize waste signage and education across campus to reduce confusion and contamination.
  • Improve waste tracking and reporting, including better data for academic and dining waste streams.
  • Improve the operational efficiency of solid waste, strengthening coordination across FDO, University Residences, and SEI -Make strategic improvements to collection systems, including expanded use of four-bin indoor stations and optimized sorting infrastructure.

Waste Pyramid

Hierarchy of waste: first step is to reduce and reduce, then recycling and compost, and finally put items in landfill if you must.

To help WWU reach its zero-waste goals, everyone should try to follow the waste-reduction pyramid in their daily life. First, reduce your consumption and reuse the items you already have. Next, if you must get rid of something, recycle or compost it only if it truly belongs in those streams. Avoid wishcycling—putting items in the recycling or compost bins just because you hope they’re recyclable or compostable. This creates contamination, which can send entire batches of materials to the landfill. Finally, if an item can’t be reused, properly recycled, or composted, place it in the landfill bin. 

Waste Sorting 101

Recycle

Blue recycle symbol
  1. Paper can be recycled if it isn't mixed with plastic or foil, and if it isn't food soiled. Food soiled paper belongs in Food Plus Compost bins, and plastic or foil-lined paper belongs in bins labeled "trash" or "landfill."
  2. Most plastics are recyclable, including bottles, jugs, cups, lids, jars, and tubs in the barrels labeled "plastics" or "aluminum, plastic, glass, tin." Styrofoam and plastic bags, however, are NOT recyclable on campus.
  3. Only corrugated cardboard should go in the cardboard recycling. Items such as cereal boxes belong in "mixed paper" barrels.

Compost

Green compost symbol
  1. Compost bins are for all food scraps and leftovers, including fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy, eggs, and small bones. All food-soiled paper that is not lined with plastic or foil—such as paper napkins, paper towels, greasy pizza boxes, and paper egg cartons—also belongs in the compost.
  2. Compostable service ware, including cups, plates, and utensils, can only be composted if they are clearly labeled "BPI Certified" or "100% Compostable." Items that look like plastic but lack this specific certification, or items labeled simply as "biodegradable," are NOT compostable and belong in the "trash" or "landfill" bins.

Landfill

Black trash can symbol
  1. Landfill or Trash bins are for items that cannot be recycled or composted. This includes plastic film (like Ziploc bags or candy wrappers), styrofoam, chip bags, foil-lined wrappers, and hygiene products.
  2. A critical rule for maintaining a clean waste stream is: "When in doubt, throw it out." It is better to place an item in the landfill than to risk contaminating the recycling or compost streams with non-compliant materials, which can cause an entire batch of diverted waste to be rejected.

Waste Management in Academic & University Residences Buildings

Most academic buildings have multiple waste-sorting stations that include landfill, recycling, and compost options. A dedicated location for corrugated cardboard is also provided. Some locations also include a larger blue recycling toter used by waste operations. Where recycling sorting stations are provided, these should be utilized instead of the toter.

University Residences have the same four waste streams as academic buildings. However, instead of bringing their waste directly to sorting stations inside buildings, residents must sort their own waste and dispose of it in outdoor toters and dumpsters. These outdoor waste depots have more volume needed to handle residential waste. 

University Residences maintains maps of all waste containers for residential users.