Green California Summit – Revealed Challenges: Lessons Learned from a CalRecycle Beverage Grant Recipient

Date: September 16, 2026
Time: 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Ballroom C

Implementing a CalRecycle Beverage Container Grant involves far more than meeting reporting requirements. You will learn from California State University, Fullerton their firsthand experience managing a state-funded grant, from project planning through implementation and final results. Anyone interested in the CalRecycle grant process or the current challenges facing recycling in a university setting will gain valuable insights from this presentation. Attendees will learn about the grant’s objectives and scope, project timeline, and the unexpected obstacles encountered throughout implementation. The session will present findings from 17 campus waste audits conducted over a 10-month period, examining the logistical and behavioral factors that influenced the results. Danny will discuss how unforeseen issues affected the university’s ability to meet grant requirements and how the audit process ultimately revealed broader challenges and deficiencies within existing campus recycling systems and outreach efforts. The presentation will also explore the development of outreach and educational materials, the limitations of current campus engagement strategies, and practical lessons learned that can help colleges and universities strengthen recycling programs, improve participation, and better prepare for future grant opportunities.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Attendees of this presentation will:

• Learn about CalRecycle grant opportunities from a recent award recipient.
• Gain awareness of the post-award requirements, timelines and considerations.
• Understand challenges and lessons learned in a University setting.

Speaker:
Danny Miranda, Sustainable Waste Management Specialist, Cal State University Fullerton