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Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I recycle?

  • It’s important to recycle because it is an easy way to help save the environment. By recycling paper you are saving millions of trees and help in reducing pollution. By recycling plastics you save a lot of energy it would take to make new plastics, as well as decrease the production of chemicals produced which harms our environment. If plastics and glass products are not recycled they fill up landfills, and these take an awful long time to decompose.

Where do I recycle?

  • Main Campus Building: Call the Call Center at 521-1000 to request a desk side recycling bin for your office. These bins are emptied by Building Services staff members into larger recycling bins for pick up by our vendor.
  • Residence Campus: Call the Call Center at 521-1000 to request a recycling bin for your room. Each residence hall contains a recycling center with large paper and beverage recycling options on the basement or first floor level of the building.

What type of things can I recycle?

  • Aluminum cans, glass bottles, #1-#7 plastics, paper, newspapers, magazines, corrugated cardboard, envelopes, paperback books, phonebooks, are all recyclable.

What cannot be recycled?

  • Some things that cannot be recycled are wax paper, tissues, laminated paper, carbon paper, pizza boxes, packaging peanuts, and Styrofoam.

Where does our recycling go?

  • Our recycling is picked up by a local recycling vendor on a weekly or bi-weekly basis depending on material and need.

What can I do with my plastic bags?

  • Plastic bags are reusable so you can save them and reuse them or you can take them to a supermarket that collects them. To reduce the number of plastic bags you could carry re-usable bags.

How can I help save water?

  • Save water by limiting your time in the shower; only wash full loads of laundry; wash the dishes in the dishwasher because more water is used when washing dishes by hand; do not allow faucets to drip water; and turn off the water while brushing your teeth.

What do the different numbers on plastics mean?

  • The numbers identify the different kinds of plastic. Since most plastics cannot be mixed, when they are being recycled this system makes it easier for the recycling company to sort plastics.

How can I help save energy?

  • Recycle! Recycling reduces the amount of new products that are made which require energy and resources
  • Turn off the lights when you are not in a room or not using the light.
  • Turn off laptops and other electronics when they are not in use.
  • Turn down the heat in your home during the day.
  • Use florescent light bulbs because they use less energy, last longer, and save you money!