Recycling
A general guide to know what to throw into mixed recycling or landfill bins on campus is available below. If you are still unsure about an item, please send your question along with a photo and description of the item to sustainability@purdue.edu.
Top Recycling Mistakes
The following items are often placed in recycling bins but are actually not recyclable. Learn more about why these items do not belong in recycling containers and how to dispose of them correctly.
The What
Soft plastics, which is a broad term for a variety of packaging materials, are not accepted in the campus standard mixed recycling. Some common soft plastic materials are candy wrappers, chip bags, cereal box liners, storage bags (Ziploc), shopping/grocery bags, bubble wrap, bread bags, shrink wrap and cling films (Saran Wrap).
The Why
Due to their flexible/soft properties and the complexity of mixed-stream recycling sorting, soft plastics can get caught in the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) sorting equipment, which can lead to costly shutdowns and creates risks for workers.
The university’s recycling is processed by third-party MRFs. The recycling capabilities of each MRF determines what materials they can accept. Beyond the capabilities of the MRF, local, regional and global material markets determine the demand for certain recyclable materials and what the MRFs will accept for processing. Due to these issues, the MRFs processing the university’s recycling materials does not currently accept soft plastics.
What Can You Do?
- Bring your own reusable bag when you shop as an alternative to plastic grocery bags.
- Use wax-based wraps and reusable, sealable containers instead of storage bags or cling film for food items.
- If possible, purchase products with no or reduced soft plastic packaging.
- Take soft plastics to local businesses, such as grocery stores, where they have collection bins for some of these materials to be properly recycled.
The What
Food waste and containers with food debris are not accepted in campus recycling bins. Plastic, metal and glass containers must be empty and clean of food debris before being recycled. Paper containers must be empty, clean and dry before being recycled.
The Why
Paper products need to be free of contamination to be recycled. Food waste can spread when products are all thrown together in a mixed recycling stream. Other perfectly good recyclables (like paper) and those contaminated materials will all end up in the landfill.
What Can You Do?
- If a takeout bag, pizza box, to-go clamshell or other single-use food container contains food debris or has food/greasy residue on it, throw it in the landfill bin.
- When possible, opt to use reusable containers for food instead of single-use containers.
- Buy only what you need and eat what you buy to avoid throwing away food.
- For off-campus living, the City of West Lafayette offers a collection site for food waste and offers countertop food waste bins to residents Monday through Friday.
The What
All single-use cups and lids (paper and plastic) for hot and cold liquids are not accepted in campus recycling bins. The one current exception is the single-use aluminum cups used at some Athletics events. These belong in the recycling bin! Additionally, cardboard sleeves for hot beverage cups are recyclable.
The Why
Most single-use plastic cups and lids are manufactured using techniques and additives that make it difficult for them to be recycled into a clean and usable material.
Most single-use paper beverage and coffee cups contain a coating for insulation and waterproofing, which makes them difficult to be recycled alongside other paper products.
The university’s recycling is processed by third-party Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs). The recycling capabilities of each MRF determines what materials they can accept in the recycling stream. Beyond the MRF’s capabilities, local, regional and global material markets determine the demand for certain recyclable materials and what the MRFs will accept for processing. Currently, the MRFs processing the university’s recycling materials do not accept cups and lids.
What Can You Do?
Bring your own reusable bottles, cups and mugs where allowed.
The What
Single-use paper products, such as napkins, towels and tissues, are not accepted in campus recycling bins.
The Why
There are two main reasons why napkins, towels and tissues are not accepted in campus mixed recycling bins. First, the products are primarily made of wood pulp that is composed of small fibers. In order for wood pulp products to be recycled, they must have fibers long enough to be turned into new products. The short fibers in napkins, towels and tissues are not easy to recycle. Additionally, every time paper products are recycled the fibers get shorter.
The second reason has to do with the recycling process for paper, which requires the material to be free of contaminants. These paper products are commonly used to collect contaminants such as food, grease and bodily fluids.
What Can You Do?
When possible, use reusable products, such as handkerchiefs and cloth towels, in place of single-use paper materials.
Know What To Throw
Click through the items below to know what you should recycle on campus.
Recycling
Plastics
Containers must be empty
- Water and soda bottles (with lid on)
- Milk and water jugs
- Nut butter jars
- Food and condiment bottles
- Detergent containers
Paper
Containers must be empty
- Newspapers
- Mail and magazines
- Office paper
- Notebook paper
- Paperboard
- Shredded paper: Only place in the green, mixed paper carts. Unshredded paper can be placed in the blue confidential carts to be sent off to shred.
Cardboard
- Shipping and moving boxes (flattened)
- Milk and juice cartons (emptied)
Metal & Aluminum
Containers must be empty
- Metal (tin/steel) food cans
- Aluminum drink cans
Glass Containers
Containers must be empty
- Bottles
- Jars
Landfill
Food Waste & Wrappers
- All food
- Chip bags
- Soiled aluminum foil
- Greasy or soiled pizza boxes
- Greasy or soiled paper bags
Single-Use Paper Products
- Napkins
- Paper towels
- Tissues
- Soiled paper plates
- Disinfecting wipes
Soft Plastics & Cutlery
- Grocery bags
- Plastic food storage bags
- Packing pillows
- Bubble wrap
- Food films and wraps
- Plastic forks, spoons and knives
- Plastic straws
Food Containers & Cups
- Food containers
- Hot liquid cups
- Packaging
- Packing peanuts
- Plates