Sustainable Campus

Waste Management

The Facilities Department at USF St. Petersburg Campus manages all waste generated on campus. The department ensures solid waste is collected and disposed in a safe, cost effective, environmentally sound, and an aesthetically satisfactory manner. The campus is continually integrating sustainable practices to reduce solid waste generation.

Waste Diversion Goals

  • Source Reduction & Re-use
  • Increase recycling rates
  • Divert organic materials to composting facilities (on and off campus)
  • Integrate the green purchasing policy into existing procurement procedures

waste reduction efforts

Recycling Stations

Recycling Stations on campus are built out of recycled milk jugs. Recycling stations are strategically located across campus.

USF's St. Petersburg campus encourages students and staff to drop off their home recycling on campus. Home recycling can be dropped off into any of the 96-gallon recycling dumpsters behind the University Student Center.

Food Waste Management

The University of South Florida is working to sustainably manage food waste on campus. According to data from the National Resource Defense Council, 22 million pounds of food are wasted each year on college campuses, with the average college student contributing to about 142 pounds in food waste. The campus is continuously investing in initiatives and programs to increase awareness and improve our food waste management.

 E-Waste Program

The E-Waste program at USF St. Petersburg campus is aimed at reducing electronic waste on campus. Batteries, Printer cartridges, Computer parts, Mobile Phones and other electronic waste items are collected and disposed of properly by the IT Department. 

Efforts Include:

  • Battery disposal at local battery recycling centers.
  • Disposal of our computer parts at local recycling centers.
  • Automatically powering off idle lab and classroom computers.
  • Mobile phone, battery and print cartridge recycling.
  • Promoting the purchase of Restriction of Hazardous Substances compliant low-power
  • computer hardware and peripherals.
  • Purchasing recycled paper and recycling used paper for all Campus Computing needs.

Call or visit the Campus Computing Help Desk for information about recycling computer waste.