One other thing, the people who set up the recycling program aren't bureaucrats. I'm a faculty member who worked with recycling and grounds staff from Facilities Development and Operations. Together, a group of concerned staff saw an opportunity to right a wrong. We believe that wasting natural resources is a thoughtless affront to the environment, ourselves and to future generations. We dealt with the limiting factors of cost and staff to manage the program, yet found a way to reduce SJSU's disposal costs and provided a new service, recycling of beverage containers.
Less garbage equals money savings.
The underappreciated recycling staff, who are nonetheless dedicated public servants, worked without additional compensation to develop this program and took on an ongoing additional responsibility without additional pay or recognition. The bottom line, after 100-plus years SJSU recycles, people who scavenge have easier and safer access to materials, and SJSU got more service for less cost. There were no losers. By the way, for help with the program, the recycling staff is even willing to allow student groups to keep the proceeds for the sale of the recovered recyclables. They don't need, want or covet the money.