As of September 2023, recyclables from Stanford’s main campus are sent to a state-of-the-art sorting facility, GreenWaste Material Recovery Facility, that recovers at least 85% of the material that it processes. On average, 87% of Stanford’s recyclables have been rated “Grade 1,” defined as having contamination of 10% or less. This rating means our recyclables have an increased value and a promising place in the recycling market. We are thankful to the Stanford community for sorting properly!
Stanford’s Office of Sustainability has been offering tours of the new recycling facility. After seeing the GreenWaste Material Recovery Facility in person, Amy Zhou, an engineering major, said that “Participating in the facility tour was an eye-opening experience for me. It provided a hands-on, real-world understanding of the recycling process, which is something you can’t get from textbooks or lectures. Seeing the intricate operations of sorting and the dedicated work of professionals in the field truly changed my perspective on the importance of recycling and its impact on our environment! I feel like everyone should go on a tour of an MRF, no matter what industry they are working in. This is an industry that touches everyone.” The Office of Sustainability is appreciative that GreenWaste has offered to give our community a first-hand look at what happens to our recycling after it leaves the campus.
Curious about what happens to our recyclables after they leave campus? Join the Office of Sustainability for a tour of the GreenWaste facility.
Stanford has set a new benchmark for sustainability at live events through its first major concert hosted by Stanford Athletics and Stanford Live. Sustainable Stanford hosted a fireside chat with sustainability leadership from Live Nation and Warner Music Group in tandem with this milestone.
From reducing embodied carbon in construction to piloting organic landscape management, the annual Student Sustainability Symposium highlighted how student-led innovation is driving sustainability at Stanford.
Laura Segura Gonzalez, a second-year design student, is leading jean upcycling workshops to combat fast fashion waste, empowering students to transform old jeans into something new.
