The San Diego Unified School District spends more than $1.2 million on waste collection each year. In order to reduce costs and conserve resources, the District operates a District-wide waste reduction and recycling program at more than 180 educational facilities, offices, and departments.

The Recycling Program is coordinated through the District's Energy / Utilities Management Program. District staff has successfully negotiated for less expensive (than trash) collection of commingled recyclables by the District's waste and recycling hauler, which includes:

- Paper products
- Cardboard
- Beverage containers
- Plastic
- Metal
- Glass food and beverage containers

Recycling Program Goals

The goals of the Recycling Program are to:

1) Comply with City and State laws and ordinances to recycle designated materials at all schools & district facilities;
2) Reduce waste through reuse and resource sharing among teachers and staff;
3) Work towards 75% waste diverion goal