Recycling
As part of the 2020 Physical Facilities Sustainability Master Plan, a goal has been established for Purdue University to achieve an annual campus waste recycling rate of 50% by FY25. This means 50% of total campus waste will be reused, recycled or composted instead of being sent to the landfill.
The below resources have been compiled to help you take the small steps needed to help the Purdue community reach this giant leap.
Top Recycling Mistakes
The following items are often placed in recycling bins but are actually not recyclable.
Select a category below to learn more about why these items do not belong in recycling containers and how to dispose of them correctly.
and Containers
Tissues and Napkins
Know What to Throw
Use the below list as a general guide to know what to throw into mixed recycling or landfill bins on campus. 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.
Mixed Recycling
- Rigid Plastics (containers must be empty)
- Water and soda bottles
- Milk and water jugs
- Nut butter jars
- Food and condiment bottles
- Detergent containers
- Paper
- Newspapers
- Mail and magazines
- Office paper
- Notebook paper
- Cardboard
- Shipping and moving boxes (flattened)
- Milk and juice cartons
- Metals and Aluminum (containers must be empty)
- Metal (tin/steel) food cans
- Aluminum drink cans
- Glass Containers (containers must be empty)
- Bottles
- Jars
Landfill Bins
- Food Waste and 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 and Cutlery
- Grocery bags
- Plastic food storage bags
- Packing pillows
- Bubble wrap
- Food films and wraps
- Plastic forks, spoons and knives
- Plastic straws
- Food Containers and Cups
- Food containers
- Hot liquid cups
- Packaging
- Packing peanuts
- Plates
