About Us
The Center for Development of Recycling
The Center for the Development of Recycling (CDR) is a university-based, non-profit, environmental research and service
organization that was established in 1989. Located in the Department of Environmental Studies at San Jose State University
(SJSU) and stewarded by the SJSU Foundation, faculty-managed students work on environment-related projects for businesses,
government agencies, consultants, and non-profit organizations. CDR has contracted to work urban water conservation and
recycling projects involving residential and commercial sectors, hotels, multi-family buildings, multi-tenant office buildings
and conducting various types of surveys. CDR also established the beverage container recycling program at SJSU and assisted in
expanding the recycling program at SJSU.
In 1991, CDR bridged personnel and equipment resources of SJSU with Santa Clara County and its 15 cities that resulted in an
alliance to provide cost-effective recycling information services for County residents and businesses that also created student
service-learning opportunities. CDR added a donor funded website in 1999.
CDR operates the Santa Clara Recycling Hotline with a part-time Director; two compensated part-time students who serve as
Administrative Manager and Project Manager, and several volunteer students who earn academic credit for community service
learning (internship). The CDR Director is a Department of Environmental Studies faculty member who is responsible for all
activities including management of staff, projects, equipment, budget, and adherence to University regulations. The San Jose
State University Foundation manages accounting and payroll services.
With faculty guidance, CDR’s students develop the data and publications used by the Hotline, respond to information
requests, personally research unusual requests, manage a document reproduction service for local government recycling and
waste management divisions, and supplement Countywide recycling public information campaigns. The hotline operates Monday-Friday
from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Students complement their undergraduate and graduate academic experiences at CDR to gain practical work experience in the
rapidly developing field of integrated waste management (IWM). CDR staff learns project management skills while earning
academic credit. CDR has been recognized with several service-learning awards and over 50 CDR students have used their
experience to gain recycling and environmental careers.
Disclaimer
The Center for the Development of Recycling does not endorse or advocate any organization or website referenced on this site.
This information is provided only as a tool to assist readers in identifying various information services and related sites.
While we make many efforts to maintain the accuracy of data here, our organization in no way promotes, maintains, or guarantees
accuracy of the information contained on this or other websites.
For further information on CDR, recycling questions or a free CDR publications list,
call CDR at (408) 924-5453 or 1-800-533-8414 or e-mail us at info@recyclestuff.org.
Did You Know?