What We Recycle On Campus
Our campus recycling program is classified as a “single-stream” system. This means that you can deposit all
of your recyclable materials into any recycling bin on campus.
Acceptable items:

Paper: newspaper, magazines, computer paper
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Plastic Containers: #1-7 bottles, jugs, trays, etc.
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Cardboard: cereal boxes, frozen food packaging, etc.
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Aluminum: cans, containers, foil, pie pans, etc.
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Books: paperback, textbooks, hardback, phone, etc.
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Steel/Tin Cans: soup cans, fruit cans, etc.
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Waxed Cartons: milk and juice cartons, juice boxes

Glass Containers: jars and bottles
Unacceptable items:

Plastic Bags/Film: recycling bins specifically designated for collecting film plastic waste can be found
in Terp Zone in the Stamp Student Union and every residential convenience store on campus (Commons,
Leonardtown, North Campus and 24 Shops); go here for more information on plastic bags and film

Styrofoam: packing peanuts, cups, egg cartons, insulation, etc. (even if the item has a recycling symbol)

Light Bulbs: incandescent (see Special Materials Recycling below for compact fluorescent instructions)

Broken Glass: lab glass, windowpanes, mirrors, etc.

Toxic Materials Containers: motor oil, antifreeze, etc.
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Auto Parts: tires, tail/headlights, windshield wipers, grilles, etc.

Medical Waste: bandages, surgical gloves/instruments, needles, etc.

Hazardous Waste: flammable, reactive, corrosive and/or toxic materials
Collection stations for compostable, organic material can be found in each campus Dining Hall and in the
Stamp Student Union. All food scraps and paper products are biodegradable; these are decomposable and
can break down into their most basic elements.
Compostable items:

All Food Scraps: including meat, dairy, bones and produce

Soiled Paper: napkins, paper towels, tissues, greasy pizza boxes, etc.

Coffee & Tea: coffee grounds, filters, tea bags, sugar/sweetener packets

Biodegradable Containers: paper cups, paper plates, paper take-out containers, bagasse and compostable cutlery; please ensure the item does not have a plastic coating
To find out more information about the composting process, go here.
Most of the personal waste generated on campus is recyclable or compostable. However, there are a few remaining items that must be sent to the landfill:
Landfill items:

Packets & Wrappers: condiment packets, candy and food wrappers, chip bags, etc.


Small Plastic Items: including lids & straws, creamer cups, plastic cutlery, etc.
Styrofoam: even if there is a recycle symbol on the item, Styrofoam is not recyclable on campus

Plastic Bags/Film: retail bags, produce bags, sandwich bags, air pillows, bubble wrap, etc.

Light Bulbs: incandescent (see Special Materials Recycling below for compact fluorescent instructions)

Broken Glass: lab glass, windowpanes, mirrors, etc.
Batteries
Carpet
Cell phones
Cooking oil & fry grease
Construction & demolition debris
Electronics
Light bulbs (compact fluorescent)
Mattresses Motor
fluids & tires Pallets
Plastic bags/film
Recovered food (Food Recovery Network)
Rigid plastic
Scrap metal
Shredded paper
Surplus goods (Terrapin Trader)
Toner cartridges
Yard trim (brush, leaves & fill dirt)
Updated May 2015