Center for the Development of Recycling

The Center for the Development of Recycling (CDR) was a university-based, non-profit, environmental research and service organization. The CDR operated the recycling services directory website RecycleStuff.us and operated a call center for appointments on the disposal of household hazardous waste on behalf of the counties of Santa Clara and San Mateo until June 30th 2024. Additionally, CDR completed waste reduction projects and contracts for both counties.

The CDR was located in the Department of Environmental Studies at San Jose State University, and was staffed by faculty-managed service-learning university students. Alumni frequently earned careers in sustainable materials management.

History
The CDR was founded in 1989 by San Jose State Department of Environmental Studies professor Bruce Olszewski. In 1991, CDR first collaborated to provide recycling information services to Santa Clara County. In 1992, the CDR began operating its recycling services directory hotline. CDR added a donor-funded website in 1999. In 2017, CDR expanded its organization to include the County of San Mateo for website management. In 2023 Bruce Olszewski retired, subsequently at the end of the 2023-24 academic year, CDR was disbanded until another SJSU staff member takes over the program.

Organization
The CDR operated with a part-time Director, three compensated part-time students who served as Administrative Manager, Project Manager, Household Hazardous Waste Manager, as well as a staff of student service-learning interns who earned academic credit. The director of CDR was a Department of Environmental Studies faculty member who adhered to University and public regulations.