BU’s Zero Waste Plan aims to divert 90% of campus waste from landfills and incinerators by 2030. The Campus Race to Zero Waste helps us get there, but only if students show up for it.
Every bottle recycled and old charger properly disposed of counts toward reducing waste and cutting emissions. Here’s how you can help BU win the race!
Recycle Smarter
BU uses mixed recycling, which means a lot goes in one bin, but how you prep it matters.
| Do Recycle | Don’t Recycle |
| Plastic bottles, jars, jugs & tubs – Empty and rinse them + reattach caps and lids | Plastic bags or plastic wrap |
| Paper & cardboard – Make sure to flatten cardboard boxes | Plastic straws |
| Glass bottles & jars | Black or dark-colored plastic (optical sorters can’t read them – trash instead) |
| Metal food & beverage cans |
New in 2026: Paper Cups are Now Recyclable!
Thanks to improved recycling technology, paper cups (including hot coffee cups, cold drink cups, and even cups labeled “compostable”) are now accepted at all Massachusetts material recovery facilities. The thin plastic lining can now be separated during processing, so toss those cups in recycling instead of trash.
Pro Tip: Recycling bins are spread across residence halls and academic buildings. Use this map to find the mixed recycling area closest to you.
Composting = Climate Action
Nearly 44% of what goes to landfills can be composted. That’s huge. Composting is one of the easiest ways to lower BU’s greenhouse gas emissions.
| Do Compost | Don’t compost |
| Fruits & veggies | Bioplastics (like PLA) |
| Dairy, eggs, meat & bones | Waxed paper (coffee cups, lined containers, milk cartons) |
| Bread & dry goods | Plastic, metal, glass |
| Coffee grounds & filters, tea bags | Cardboard |
| Soiled paper products (napkins, paper towels, uncoated takeout containers, chopsticks) |
Avoid contamination: If trash or recycling ends up in compost, the entire bin may get contaminated. If you’re unsure, trash it.
Recycle Electronics the Right Way
Old tech doesn’t belong in the trash and requires special handling. Recycling electronics saves resources and prevents hazardous materials from entering landfills.
You can recycle:
- Laptops & desktops
- Headphones & cords
- Batteries & lightbulbs
- Printers & small devices
- Old phones
Pro Tip: Before donating or recycling personal electronics, remove all personal data/information as needed. You can learn more about electronic recycling at BU here.