Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the Environmental Center's programs.
Energy/Climate
1. How can I sign up for a SCORE energy assessment visit to my student rental residence?
Click here for more information and to sign up. The assessment will take about an hour.
Recycling and Zero Waste
1. Where can I recycle hard-to-recycle items like my cell phones, iPods/MP3 players and chargers; batteries; toner cartridges; and electronics? CU Recycling accepts many special materials for recycling, as long as they are from campus departmental and residence hall use. More information including campus drop-off locations can be found by clicking here for our special materials recycling page.
To find places in the Boulder area that recycle personally owned hard-to-recycle items -- such as small or large electronics, tree branches, furniture, and more -- consult the Eco-Cycle A-Z Recycling Guide.
Note that property such as electronics and furniture purchased by University of Colorado departments should be disposed of through Facilities Management Property Services.
2. How can I volunteer with the campus recyclng program? Volunteers are needed to work alongside student staff at the campus Intermediate Processing Facility, sorting campus recyclables on weekdays between 10 am - 4 pm. A 10 hour minimum commitment is required. To arrange training and sign up, call 303-492-8307 or stop by the Environmental Center in UMC 355.
You can also help the Recycling Green Teams deliver educational materials on recycling and composting in the city of Boulder to students who live off campus. Call 303-492-8307 or stop by UMC 355 for more information and available shifts.
To volunteer as a Zero Waste Goalie for home football games, send an email to the Ralphie's Green Stampede volunteer coordinator at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Shifts usually begin 1 1/2 hours before kick-off and last 5 hours. And you get to watch the last quarter of the game.
3. Does CU offer a document shredding service? Yes, for a fee CU Recycling can collect and destroy documents from campus departments, recycling the shredded paper afterward. Click here for more information and to fill out a pick up request form.
4. Does CU compost? Yes. We are collecting compost from the Dining Facilities, the UMC, Folsom Stadium, and a few academic buildings. More information about what and where to compost on campus, and about expanding to more locations, can be found by clicking here.
More FAQs for Recycling and Waste Reduction can be found here.
Transportation
1. Where can I pick up my student bus pass? Students pay a portion of their student fees for a pass that allows fare-free rides on all local and regional RTD buses. It can be picked up from the Campus Card office in the Center for Community building (C4C) room N180. Phone 303-492-0355 (Map)
2. Can I get a summer bus pass when I am not enrolled in summer classes? Yes, CU students can purchase a summer bus pass at the Campus Card office (contact info above) as long as you were enrolled in the previous Spring semester and are enrolled for the Fall semester.
3. Where can I rent a bike? Buff bikes can be checked out for two days using your student ID at one of the Bike Stations (located east of the UMC and at the Engineering Center) M-F 9am-5pm. Bikes can also be rented by the semester.
4. How can I meet others to carpool with? Check out CUcommute.
5. How do I report a stolen bike? Check CU Parking Services to see if your bike was impounded. You can contact them at 303-492-7384. If not, they will transfer you to the Campus Police Department to report it stolen. The number is 303-492-6666
6. How do I waive my RTD bus pass fee? If you have another bus pass through an employer or neighborhood pass program, are active duty military, or live or take classes outside the RTD service area, you can request that your student bus pass fee be waived. Fill out a waiver request form here. To complete your request you will need to show your other RTD pass at the CU Environmental Center in UMC room 355 (between the hours of 10 - 5, Monday through Friday).
7. I need a bike mechanic but the CU Bike Station is closed for the season. Where do I make an appointment? If your bike is registered with the University of Colorado, schedule an appointment with Mobile Mechanics.
Other transportation FAQs can be found here.
Greening CU
1. What sustainability solutions has CU implemented? Check out our Greening CU tab to find out about sustainable measures at the University of Colorado Boulder. Some solutions are dual-flush toilets, solar planels, and motion-sensing lights.
2. How can I apply for funding to implement an idea that will advance sustainability on the CU Boulder campus? Find out more about the student-funded Sustainable CU grant here.
3. I attend another university and we would like to start some sustainability programs. How do we begin? Some great resources for schools implementing sustainability programs include the Association for Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), the National Wildlife Federation's Campus Ecology program, the College and University Recycling Coalition, and US EPA OnCampus ecoAmbassadors. If you have questions about the University of Colorado Boulder's sustainability programs, please review the Greening CU section of our website. Still not finding answers? Email your specific questions to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and we'll forward the questions to the most appropriate person.
Education
1. How do I learn about CU's non-credit Sustainable Practices Program courses offering professional sustainability training? Check out the Sustainable Practices Program link under Education above.
2. How do you earn a Certificate in Sustainable Practices? SPP classes may be taken individually, or a Professional Certificate is available to students who enroll in the certificate program and complete ten courses.
3. I am a Boulder elementary school teacher. How can I sign up to have Earth Education interns visit my classroom? See our Earth Education information page and contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Justice
1. What is CU doing about Environmental Justice? Check out the Justice tab on the E-Center website. You can also periodically check the E-Center events calendar for upcoming events.
2. What are some Environmental Justice resources? Check out the Environmental Justice Network. There are two TED talks that are realy excellent and engage Environmental Justice in pretty profound ways. Van Jones, "The Economic Injustice of Plastic" or Majora Carter, "Majora Carter's Tale of Urban Renewal".
Resources
1. How can I find out about upcoming sustainability events at the CU Boulder campus and surrounding area? View our online events calendar (under the Resources tab above). You can also subscribe to receive weekly emails listing events with a sustainability focus on the CU campus and the Boulder area.
2. How can I volunteer? Fill out the volunteer application and sign up for the volunteer newsletter to find out about volunteer opportunities.
3. I need to do community service and was referred to the Environmental Center. What are my options? Depending on the time of year, there are often several options. With a commitment of at least ten hours, you can sign up do community service on weekdays at the campus recycling Intermediate Processing Facility (IPF) -- see Recycling section above. Other opportunities are usually available. Sign up for our volunteer newsletter (see question above) and/or call 303-492-8308 or stop by our office in UMC 355.