In the vast majority of locations and circumstances on campus, recycling is sorted into these types of bins: Bottles & Cans, Paper, and Cardboard. However, in certain circumstances, such as back-of-house at dining facilities/cafés and some special events on campus, recycling may be sorted instead into any or all of these types of bins: Mixed Recycling, Glass, and Cardboard. Below is what is accepted in those types of bins.

Mixed Recycling/Commingled

Accepted in Mixed Recycling (a.k.a. Commingle) Bins

All items must be EMPTY, CLEAN, and DRY - NO FOOD RESIDUE

Metal

  • Steel/tin cans
  • Aluminum cans

Plastic

  • Plastic bottles (beverages, soaps/lotions, cleaners, condiments, etc.)
  • Plastic jugs (milk, laundry, vinegar, etc.)

Paper

  • Office Paper (copier and printer paper, file folders, note paper, computer paper, brochures)
  • Junk mail (envelopes, letters, catalogs, etc.)
  • Greeting cards (no foil or glitter)
  • Magazines
  • Newspaper
  • Phonebooks
  • Paperback books
  • Paper bags
  • White/gray/brown packing paper
  • Paperboard (heavy, non-corrugated paper such as cereal boxes)
  • Paper egg cartons

Accepted in Mixed Recycling (a.k.a. Commingle) Bins

What's Accepted:
  • Steel/tin cans
  • Aluminum cans
How to Recycle:

Rinse and place in nearest bin (labeled "Mixed Recycling" or "Commingled"). Need to be empty, clean, and dry.

Not Accepted:

NO food contamination or metal items that are not tin/alumnimum cans.

What's Accepted:
  • Plastic bottles (beverages, soaps/lotions, cleaners, condiments, etc.)
  • Plastic jugs (milk, laundry, vinegar, etc.)
How to Recycle:

Bottles are rigid containers with a narrow, threaded neck (e.g. beverages, soaps, cleaners, condiments, etc.). Jugs are bottles with a handle (e.g. milk, laundry soap, vinegar, etc.)

Rinse, discard lids into trash, and place in nearest bin (labeled "Mixed Recycling" or "Commingled"). Need to be empty, clean, and dry.

Not Accepted:

NO food contamination or any plastic items that are not bottles or jugs (rigid containers with narrow, threaded necks).

What's Accepted:
  • Office Paper (copier and printer paper, file folders, note paper, computer paper, brochures)
  • Junk mail (envelopes, letters, catalogs, etc.)
  • Greeting cards (no foil or glitter)
  • Magazines
  • Newspaper
  • Phonebooks
  • Paperback books
  • Paper bags
  • White/gray/brown packing paper
  • Paperboard (heavy, non-corrugated paper such as cereal boxes)
  • Paper egg cartons
How to Recycle:

Place in nearest bin (labeled "Mixed Recycling" or "Commingled").

Not Accepted:

NO food contamination, coffee/soda paper cups, cartons and aseptic containers, butcher paper, hardback books, shredded paper, napkins, paper towels, paper plates, or other items not on the accepted list above.

Accepted in Glass Bins

What's Accepted:

  • Glass Bottles
  • Glass Jars

How to Recycle:

Rinse, discard lids into trash, and place in nearest "Glass" bin. All colors accepted. Need to be empty, clean, and dry.

Not Accepted:

NO food contamination, dishes, labware or lids.

Accepted in Cardboard Bins

What's Accepted:

  • Flattened corrugated cardboard (free of food, wax, or plastic packaging)

How to Recycle:

Empty all contents, flatten and place in nearest marked "Cardboard" container - typically outside your building, next to your trash dumpster(s). EMPTY pizza boxes are only OK if not contaminated with food/oil; clean portions can be torn off and recycled and contaminated portions composted or trashed. Before recycling a cardboard box, make sure to remove all other packaging on and inside the box, like tape, bubble wrap, packing paper, etc. Then, break down the box before recycling it.

Do NOT place cardboard in "Paper" bins or anywhere indoors. Cardboard cannot be collected inside buildings due to space limitations, fire code and pest prevention.

Not Accepted:

No paperboard or other paper products that are not corrugated, cardboard with food on it, waxed cardboard, plastic packaging or other box contents.