Recycling at NYU
Mixed Recycling
Compost
Landfill
Techno Scrap
CLICKERS EXPLANATION
• How do we use these clickers?
• We’ll test your knowledge with some fun
multiple choice questions about Recycling
at NYU & Puck
• You’ll work in small groups to vote on the
answer
• Now let’s try them out!
What is the percentage of NYU’s
landfill waste that could be recycled?
a)
b)
c)
d)
20%
30%
40%
50%
And the
answer is…
What is the percentage of NYU’s
landfill waste that could be recycled?
a) 20%
b) 30% - which is not so bad! NYU
already recycles 30% of its waste, so
the ideal would be to recycle about
50% of all trash at the university.
c) 40%
d) 50%
Which of the following is true
about recycling at NYU?
a) Make sure to remove staples
and tape from paper
b) Containers should be prewashed until spotless
c) If you add an incorrect item into
the recycling, it ruins the whole
bin
d) It’s ok to throw cardboard,
plastic, glass and metal into the
same receptacle
And the
answer is…
Which of the following is true
about recycling at NYU?
a) Make sure to remove staples and tape from
paper – small amounts are fine
b) Containers should be pre-washed until spotless
– a few specks are ok
c) If you add an incorrect item into the recycling, it
ruins the whole bin – If you’re not sure, put it in
recycling and it can be sorted out later.
d) It’s ok to throw cardboard, plastic, glass
and metal into the same receptacle – Fact!
Mixed Recycling
General Info:
• NYU collects all mixed recycling together: paper, plastic,
glass, and metal
• Action Carting provides recycling services at NYU. Since it’s a
private vendor, NYU is able to recycle many more items than
NYC! (ex: type 1-7 plastics and plastic bags)
• CBS is responsible for collecting recycling at Puck. NYU
Sustainability monitors them to make sure they comply.
Things to keep in mind:
• Reduce > Reuse > Recycle
• Small amounts of tape or staples are ok
• Small specks of food are ok
• When in doubt, recycle it!
Mixed Recycling
All Paper & Cardboard
• newspapers
• paper bags
• junk mail, catalogs, magazines, scrap paper, and
packaging
• pizza boxes
• all cardboard products
Mixed Recycling
All Plastics & Plastic Films
• plastic bags (any color)
• bottles
NYU recycles all type 1-7 plastics!
• rinsed milk/juice cartons
• rinsed food storage containers
• plastic utensils
• plastic film/wrap incl. air filled packaging
Mixed Recycling
Glass
• any glass items except window panes and light bulbs
Metals
• cans
• foil
• rinsed food storage containers
• wire hangers, pots, pans, tools, curtain rods, pipes,
aerosol cans, small appliances that are mostly metal
Which of the following is NOT ok to
throw in the techno scrap bin?
a) Stray computer parts
b) Cell phones and digital
cameras
c) Fluorescent light bulbs
d) VHS tapes, diskettes,
cassettes, and jewel
cases
e) Inkjet and toner
cartridges
And the
answer is…
Which of the following is NOT ok to
throw in the techno scrap bin?
a) Stray computer parts
b) Cell phones, digital cameras, and batteries
c) Fluorescent light bulbs – Compact
Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFLs) are
collected separately. Please email Client
Services Center to recycle
(contactcsc@nyu.edu)
d) VHS tapes, diskettes, cassettes, and jewel
cases
e) Inkjet and toner cartridges
Techno Scrap Recycling
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
stray computer parts (keyboard, mouse, etc)
cell phones
vhs tapes
cassettes
diskettes
cd’s & dvd’s
jewel cases
cables and wiring
batteries
ink jet & toner cartridges
digital cameras
Which of the following is
compostable?
a) Plastic bags and
packaging
b) Leftover coffee and
drinks
c) Food soiled paper
d) Paper towels used
for cleaning
surfaces
And the
answer is…
Which of the following is
compostable?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Plastic bags and packaging – no plastic!
Leftover coffee and drinks – no liquids!
Food soiled paper – Throw it in 
Paper towels used for cleaning surfaces
– no cleaning chemicals in the compost,
please!
Compost
• Compost is organic matter that can be recycled and
used as a fertilizer after it has decomposed
• In 2008, a Waste Characterization Report found that
59% of waste generated by the NYU community is
compostable
• Now NYU is the likely the largest institutional composter
in Manhattan
• Compost at NYU is collected and brought to McEnroe
Organic Farm in Millerton, NY
Compost
•
•
•
•
all food (including meat and dairy)
coffee grounds, filters, and tea bags
food-soiled paper (napkins, towels, plates, etc.)
compostable silverware, plates, cups, etc.
(Do NOT compost anything plastic or liquid)
Now let’s see what we’ve
learned…
Imagine that you have just finished your
Whole Foods take-out.
Where does your trash go?
In which bin do you throw each
item?
Compost
Recycling
Recycling
Compost
Compost
Recycling
Zero items went in the landfill bin!
Recycling
Where to Recycle Everything
•
•
•
•
Paper & Plastic / Compost
Silver bins in conference rooms labeled “Mixed Recycling” and
“Compost”
Large bins inside cabinets across from Student Project Rooms on
2nd floor (for paper & plastic)
Large bin in pantry room (for compost)
Every desk has a small recycling bin which is not collected. We all
must bring recycling/compost to the large bins
Landfill (Garbage)
• Silver bins in conference rooms labeled “Landfill”
• Trash cans at individual desks
Techno Scrap
• Black bin next to mixed recycling cabinets on 2nd floor; black bin
near top of stairs on 3rd floor
For More Information
• NYU Sustainability
Quicklinks from the NYU Sustainability site:
• Recycling
• Compost
• Techno Scrap
• Lightbulbs, Textbooks, Furniture, Books, Clothing, etc.
• EPA Composting Guide
• EPA Recycling Guide
Join the NYU Sustainability
Advocates Team!
What we do:
How to join:
•
• Fill out simple online
application
• Attend a lunchtime
training
•
•
Help reduce the footprint of NYU’s
operations by learning strategies
for energy reduction and more
efficiently using resources
Share this information and
discuss/generate new ideas with
others at Wagner such as the
Wagner Environmental Policy and
Action (WEPA) Student Group
Meet like-minded staff at other
parts of the university through fun
and informational events
Initiatives include:
• Meatless Mondays
• NYU Bike Share
• Earth Week in April
Check out the website here:
http://www.nyu.edu/sustainability/get.involved/advocates/
Thank you for listening!
• If you have any questions, feel free to ask
Pat Eaton or Pamela Kavalam.