Recycling Updates
Need recycling help in your residence hall? Contact your Eco-Rep.
Interested in improving recycling in your office? Volunteer to be a Sustainability Rep.
Additional Materials & Special Recycling
See Special Recycling instructions for the following items
Books
Batteries
Clothing & Household Goods
Electronics & Appliances- Broken
Furniture
Food Waste- Composting
Inkjet Cartridges & Cell Phones
Laser & Copier Toner Cartridges
Plastic Bags
What Can I Recycle?
You can recycle most common materials at Brandeis by placing them in the blue and green bins.
Single Stream Recycling Bins: Paper, Cardboard, Glass, Metal, and Plastic
Special Recycling /Responsible Disposable: Additional Materials
What to Recycle:
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Computer and copy paper
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Newspapers and magazines
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"Junk mail"
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Catalogs and phone books
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Paperback and hardback books (or donate if in good condition)
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All types of cardboard
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Staples, paper clips, tape, metal coils, and window envelopes are OK!
- Paper bags
What Not to Recycle:
- To Go Containers
- Coffee Cups
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Pizza boxes with food residue
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Tissues and napkins
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Paper cups and plates
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Foam peanuts
How to Prepare:
Place paper recyclable items in the blue or green recycling containers, regardless of the lid type. Please flatten large cardboard boxes, and place in or next to recycling containers.
What to Recycle:
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Plastic numbered 1-7 (look at bottom of container for the recycling symbol and number. Sometimes Styrofoam is numbered #6- but please do not recycle)
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Glass
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Metal
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Caps and lids
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Clean aluminum foil
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Laundry detergent jugs
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Juice boxes, milk cartons and aseptic packaging
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Paper and plastic labels are OK on containers
What Not to Recycle:
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Any food waste
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Unnumbered plastic (such as plastic utensils or plastic wrap)
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Mirrors
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Styrofoam (some Styrofoam may have #6 with recycling symbol- please do not recycle despite this number)
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China plates or cups
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Light bulbs (CFL bulbs go to "Special Recycling")
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Empty plastic shopping bags (please recycle at them at supermarkets)
How to Prepare:
Rinse and drain any beverage or food residue. Place these recyclable items in the blue or green recycling containers, regardless of the lid type.You may place plastic bags in the recycling if they contain recyclable materials.
Special Recycling/Responsible Disposal
Some items must be recycled or disposed of in a different or special process than our regular waste.
Brandeis has a relationship with More Than Words Bookstore, located at 376 Moody St. Waltham. More Than Words (MTW) is a nonprofit social enterprise that empowers youth who are in the foster care system, court involved, homeless, or out of school to take charge of their lives by taking charge of a business. You can drop off books anytime at their store. If you have a large quantity of books e-mail recycling@brandeis.edu to coordinate a pick up.
Battery Recycling
Batteries and rechargeable batteries (in iPods, laptops, and cell phones) can contain hazardous chemicals. Please dispose of them properly. They go to the recycling collection area in the Usdan Mailroom or Science Library Hallway.
Clothing Recycling
Recycle your old clothes, shoes and small household items in the bin located in the South Residence Lot by Ziv. Students may also donate any unused clothing at the end of the year to the Give + Go.
Compact Florescent Light Bulbs
Spent CFL light bulbs should be recycled to contain the small amount of mercury in each lamp. Drop them off in the recycling collection area in Usdan Mailroom orScience Library Hallway.
Electronics
Televisions, computer monitors, refrigerators, air conditioners and some other electronic equipment must be recycled or disposed of separately due to hazardous materials. If in working condition, lease try to have these items reused first. If you have any of these items that are broken, e-mail recycling@brandeis.edu for instructions on how to dispose of the item. You can file a custodial work order to track your request. Label any broken equipment with a simple "broken please pick up for electronics recycling" note.
Facilities Services is responsible for Freon (chlorofluorocarbons) removal from refrigerators, air conditioners, freezers and dehumidifiers in compliance with the Clean Air Act. Any of these appliances left on campus will be properly disposed of.
Electronics recycling has been an industry plagued by malicious practices- with hazardous waste often dumped in other countires. Brandeis has contracted with IR-Network for electronics recycling and closely monitors their practices. IR-Network is a leader in the responsible electronics and all commodities are sold into established markets subject to monitoring and audit for environmental compliance. You can see pictures of a recent shipment picked up. Residents of Waltham can learn more about their options for hazardous and electronic waste pick up through the City of Waltham Recycling Department.
Furniture
Do you have furniture you would like to be reused? Place an add on MyBrandeis Classifieds- you can choose a price or list it for "free". You can also advertise large sets of items on the Used Furniture Listserv, a service of Facilities/Capital projects to reuse items on campus.
Inkjet Cartridges & Cell Phones
Inkjet Cartridges can be brought to many local office supplies stores to qualify for a rebate. Drop them off in the recycling collection area in Usdan Mailroom orScience Library Hallway. You can also put them in the campus mail to MS 025 and label them "Recycling." Please do not send hazardous materials through campus mail.
Laser & Copier Toner Cartridges
Offices can send toner cartidges back to your vendor. Place them by the copier/printer and ask the Staples delivery person to pick them up.
Plastic Bag Recycling
Plastic shopping bags can be recycled at supermarkets in Waltham. Please do not place plastic grocery bags in recycling bins. Plastic grocery bags can be used as trash bags for small trash cans or in rooms, do not use colored (not clear) plastic bags for recycling- as the recycling will be trashed.