Guide to Take-Out Packaging
This page is updated frequently. If you have a suggestion for an item to include, please email sustainability@brandeis.edu. For guidance on how to dispose of other types of waste on campus, see our page on choosing the correct bin.
| Item Type | Directions | Bin |
|---|---|---|
| Clear plastic cups and containers (e.g. iced coffee cup, fruit cup, salad container) |
Read the print to see if it says "compostable" |
If yes, compost If no, empty, rinse/wipe out and recycle |
| Plastic lids and straws from cold drinks/cups (e.g. iced coffee, fruit cup) | Read the print to see if it says "compostable" |
If yes, compost If no, trash |
| Paper cups and lids (e.g. hot coffee) | Read the print to see if it says "compostable" |
If yes, compost If no, trash |
| Plastic utensils | Read the print to see if it says "compostable" |
If yes, compost If no, trash |
| Pizza boxes | May be composted or recycled if empty |
Never recycle with pizza inside |
| Food or liquid | Never put in recycling bin |
Trash or compost |
Items that are always trash
The following items on campus are always trash - never put them in recycling or compost as they will contaminate the load. Compostable items will be labeled as compostable.
Condiment packets such as butter, cream cheese, jam, and ketchup should always go in the trash bin. Besides being contaminated with food, they and other small items fall through the recycler's 2-inch filter and also have little to no value on the plastics market.
Black plastic items should always go in the trash bin. Optical sorting machines at the recycling facility cannot "see" it, so it ends up either in the trash or in a bale where it doesn't belong. Plastic recyclers prefer clear or white plastic so the finished recycled plastic material will better take any dyes needed to make new products.
Snack wrappers, chip bags, plastic wrap or any other kind of flexible plastic always go in the trash bin. Only dedicated flexible plastic recyclers will take it (such as the recyclers that service grocery store collection bins.)
Non-compostable plastic utensils cannot be recycled. They and other small items fall through the recycler's 2-inch filter and also have little to no value on the plastics market. If you're not sure if the utensils are compostable, please put them in the trash bin.
Items that may be compostable (check the label)
Most paper take-out containers from Sherman and Lower Usdan are compostable. Most items that are compostable are labeled as such. Always check if there is a label.
- Plastic cups, lids, straws, and plastic containers
- Plastic utensils: if in doubt, throw them out. Plastic utensils are not recyclable.
- Hot cups and lids