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Waste Reduction and Recycling

Our Impact

Waste Reduction and Recycling strives to achieve a campus-wide 70% waste diversion rate.

Waste Reduction and Recycling tracks and manages the majority of waste disposal streams that are generated from NC State University. This data collection allows WRR to better manage the waste disposal processes on campus and also work with generators to reduce their waste.

NC State University views waste as a potential loss of resources that would otherwise have economic, social and environmental benefits.

The university set a goal to achieve a 70% waste diversion rate as outlined in the Sustainability Strategic Plan by 2022.  NC State currently diverts 55% of its total generated waste from everyday campus operations. This rate does not include the many construction projects on campus.

Explore NC State’s waste from fiscal year, July 1, 2021  – June 30, 2022:

  • Paper, 13,880 lbs.
  • Shredded Paper, 32,660 lbs.
  • Cardboard, 148,660 lbs.
  • Mixed Recycling, 1,759,660 lbs.
  • Scrap Metal, 530,900 lbs.
  • Electronics, 185,320 lbs.
  • Plastic Film, 3,280 lbs.
  • Toner and Printer Cartridges, 3,500 lbs.
  • Tire, 27,240 lbs.
  • Construction Debris, 331,620 lbs.
  • Zero Waste Wolfpack (Carter-Finley), 52,120 lbs.
  • EH&S Materials, 97,180 lbs.
  • Batteries, 23,300 lbs.
  • Mattresses, 2,500 lbs.
  • Rigid Plastic, 21,100 lbs.
  • Animal Bedding, 715,600 lbs.
  • Yardwaste, 2,537,840 lbs.
  • Food Waste and Cooking Oil, 1,242,240 lbs.
  • Wolf Pack-n-Give (Move Out), 35,440 lbs.
  • University Surplus, 418,920 lbs.
  • Pallets, 74,280 lbs.
  • Other Projects, 8,100 lbs.
  • Howling Cow Ice Cream, 7,500 lbs.
  • Solid Waste, 5,524,260 lbs.
  • Medical Waste, 572,500 lbs.
  • Wolf Pack-n-Give (Move Out), 109,340 lbs.