On-campus Recycling

Learn more about how recycling works on campus:

Dorms and Student Housing

Where Can I Recycle?
All campus residences now have both paper and commingle recycling. For exact locations of the recycling bins in the residence halls, please visit Residence Hall Recycling Locations.

How Do I Recycle On Campus?

During move-in at the beginning of each school year, the RAs on each floor distribute blue recycling bags to each student. (If you do not have one of these bags please visit your Office of Residence Life to pick one up). The bag is designed with two pockets to allow you to collect both your recyclable paper products and cans and bottles. Once your bag is full, please bring it down to the collection site of your residence. This site is usually located on the first floor or basement of the dormitory. However, if you live in an apartment style residence you will need to bring your recyclables to the nearest dormitory or one of the two central locations in South Campus.   

What Can I Recycle in These Locations?
One bin is designated for mixed paper and the other is designated for commingle

  Recycle Don't Recycle Sorting Tips
Mixed Paper
  • All types of white paper
  • Newspaper
  • Glossy Paper
  • Post-It Notes
  • Colored Paper
  • Envelopes (can have windows)
  • Phonebooks
  • Magazines
  • Junkmail
  • Cardboard (please flatten boxes)
    		•
  • Paper Cups
  • Paper Products Stained with Food
  • No pizza boxes
  • Paper Towels & Tissues
  • Tyvek Envelopes
  • Carbon Paper
  • Blue Print Paper
  • Plastic Report Covers
  • Binders
  • Please remove rubber bands, paper clips and metal notebooks spirals (staples are O.K.).
  • Some envelopes are not recyclable (i.e. Tyvek).
  • If you can tear it, you can recycle it!
    		•
    Commingle
  • All clear glass.
  • Colored glass (green, blue, brown).
  • Aluminum cans
  • Clean juice and milk cartons
  • Plastics #1 - 7
  • Tin Cans
  • Light bulbs (There is special recycling for lightbulbs)
  • Food or Liquid Stained Containers (ex tin soup/tuna cans or plastic food containers)
  • Plastic utensils
  • Styrofoam containers
  • Mirrors
    		•  Please completely empty and rinse all containers. Food left in containers can contaminate the entire bin and make it non-recyclable

     

    Ink Cartridges
    We are currently working with office supplier companies to set up a more efficient ink and toner removal program. We no longer deliver boxes and ink cartridge bags. In the meantime, please recycle your cartridges at a local Office Depot or Staples, or bring them to our office: at 704 Commonwealth Ave., 2nd Floor

    Handheld Electronics
    Cell phones and other handheld electronics can also be recycled through the Office of Environmental Health and Safety or donated at the FitRec.

    Batteries
    Lithium batteries (computer and camera batteries) and alkaline batteries can also be recycled.

    Offices and Academic Buidlings

    Currently recycling is available to Offices and Academic Departments across campus.

    My bins are not picked up weekly, but they are full this week. How do I request a pickup? 
    To request a Pick-Up fill out a Bin Pick-up Request form. Bins are picked up Thursday and Friday of each week. Please submit your Pick-Up Request by 12 noon on Wednesday or your recycling will not be picked up until the following week. If you would like to be added to an automatic weekly pick up list, please email recycle@bu.edu.

    For a complete list of offices and departments that currently recycle, click here. 

    If Capital missed a pick-up or if you have any questions, please contact the student recycling coordinators by emailing recycle@bu.edu

    I have an empty ink/toner cartridge or electronic that I would like to recycle. What should I do?
    We are currently working with office supplier companies to set up a more efficient ink and toner removal program. We no longer deliver boxes and ink cartridge bags. In the meantime, please recycle your cartridges at a local Office Depot or Staples, or bring them to our office: at 704 Commonwealth Ave., 2nd Floor

    For Electronics: This may include cell phones, computer parts, etc. Contact a recycling coordinator, recycle@bu.edu, and we will assist you in the recycling of these items.

    I would like to recycle bottle and cans in my office, what should I do? 
    Office pick-up for bottles and cans is currently not available. Please collect these recyclables locally in your office and bring them to the nearest residence hall or the George Sherman Student Union. Feel free to contact a recycling coordinator for more information. For a list of residence halls and addresses click here.

    Dining Halls

    BU's dining halls compost all of the leftover food and recycle cardboard, paper, aluminum and plastic. For more information on BU's sustainable dining, please visit the dining services website.