Goals and Policies

UNC Charlotte has a 2030 goal to divert 60% of campus solid waste away from landfills. This is approximately twice the diversion rate average for the campus in the first decades of this century.  A 60% diversion rate has been attained at another large UNC campus. 

This means that at least 60% of the physical waste produced on campus would be recycled, composted, or reused.  A related strategy for reducing landfill waste is to change procurement practices to avoid materials that cannot be feasibly diverted (e.g. due to their makeup or to a lack of local markets).

North Carolina statutes dating back to the last century require the university to:

  • use a disposal hierarchy of 1) reduce waste at the source, 2) recycle and reuse, 3) composting, and last, dispose in a landfill. (GS 130A-309.10)
  • collect recyclable materials, including aluminum, paper, glass, and plastic bottles, have recycling bins next to trash bins, and have procedures to collect, store, and contract buyers. (GS 130A-309.14)
  • purchase and use reusable, refillable, repairable, more durable, and less toxic supplies and products. (GS 130A-309.14)
  • encourage, promote and require the purchase and use of products with recycled content (G.S. 143-58.2)
  • spend 50% of the purchase of paper and paper products on products with recycled content (G.S. 143-58.3)

Mecklenburg County has an ordinance that requires the university to:

  • separate corrugated cardboard and office paper for recycling

UNC System has a Sustainability Policy (600.6.1) that includes:

  • develop policies and programs that work toward achieving zero waste and will comply with the provisions of NC General Statute 130A-309.14 regarding recycling and waste management
  • purchasing shall, to the extent practicable, improve the environmental performance of its supply chain with consideration given to toxicity, recycled content, energy and water efficiency, rapidly renewable resources, and local production

UNC Charlotte has policies to guide waste reduction, recycling, and surplus operations:

  • waste reduction by 4 methods: source reduction, reuse of materials, recycling, and purchase of recycled materials (713)
  • every University department and individual community member is responsible (713)
  • surplus items are to be relocated on campus, sold, or recycled. (610.10)