Campus Recycling & Sustainability Leadership – Tara Pike, UNLV Sustainability Coordinator

In this episode, we talk with Tara Pike, the founder of the Rebel Recycling Program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and the university’s first Sustainability Coordinator. Tara has spent nearly three decades leading sustainability efforts on campus and across Southern Nevada, transforming how communities approach recycling, waste reduction, and environmental stewardship.

We explore Tara’s journey from her undergraduate thesis project in 1995 to her leadership in local and national sustainability initiatives, including the Christmas Tree Recycling Committee and Campus Race to Zero Waste. Tara shares the challenges, breakthroughs, and future opportunities in building lasting sustainability programs that truly make an impact.

Whether you’re a student, a sustainability professional, or simply curious about what it takes to drive real change, this episode offers practical insights and inspiration from one of Nevada’s leading voices in environmental action.

About Our Guest:

Tara Pike launched the Rebel Recycling Program in 1995 after researching its feasibility as part of her Environmental Studies/Biology degree at UNLV. In 2009, she became the university’s first Sustainability Coordinator, leading campus-wide initiatives to improve environmental performance. Tara also serves as the long-time chair of the Southern Nevada Christmas Tree Recycling Committee and is Vice President of the Campus Race to Zero Waste board. Her work has shaped sustainability efforts throughout Southern Nevada and beyond.

Learn more about our guest and topics discussed:

• UNLV Drive Up and Drop Off Program https://www.unlv.edu/facilities/drop-off
• Christmas Tree Recycling Program https://www.springspreserve.org/education-conservation/christmas-tree-recycling.html
• UNLV Rebel CAP website https://www.unlv.edu/facilities/sustainability/rebelcap