Santa Clara University

Sustainability at SCU » Stewardship » Recycling in Campus Residence Halls

Waste Diversion in Residence Halls

These guidelines identify materials that can be recycled and composted in SCU residence halls.

These instructions differ slightly from those of campus common areas, academic buildings, and campus offices.

Compost

Compostable Items

Anything that was once alive or is made of plant products is compostable. This includes: food scraps, fruits, vegetables, bread, meat, fish, dairy, coffee grounds & filters, tea bags, Bon Appetit to-go containers, utensils, napkins, plates, cups, and pizza boxes.

Recyclable Items

These items should be recycled either in your residence hall's recycle/waste area or at your service desk.
Wondering where an item goes? E-mail recycling@scu.edu

Mixed Recycling

Rinsed recyclable glass, plastic (#1-7), tin, aluminum, and white/colored paper, junk mail, cereal boxes, shoeboxes, newspapers, and magazines.
These items should be placed in the containers labeled "recycle" in your residence hall's recycle/waste area.
Learn about the recycling processes for aluminum, plastic, glass, tin, and paper.
Paper

All paper should be placed in mixed recycling (see above).
Cardboard

Corrugated cardboard, including clean pizza box tops. Please flatten first.
These items should be placed *FLAT* in the container labeled "cardboard" in your residence hall's recycle/waste area.
Learn about the recycling process for cardboard.
Electronic Waste

Electronic waste is anything with an electric cord or a battery (except cell phones which are recycled in a different location).
These items should be placed on the ground near the "e-waste" sign in your residence hall's recycle/waste area.
Learn about the importance of recycling e-waste.
Special Electronic Waste

Cell phones, cell phone chargers (and other accessories), and ink cartridges.
These items should be placed in the Universal Waste container at your residence hall's service desk.
Learn about the importance of recycling e-waste.
Universal Waste

Batteries and compact fluorescent light bulbs.
These items should be placed in the Universal Waste container at your residence hall's service desk.
Learn about the importance of recycling batteries and ink cartridges.
Not sure where an item goes?

Look for signs and the instructional poster in your residence hall's recycle/waste area. If you're still unsure, or have a question, e-mail recycling@scu.edu