• 
• 
  • What Can I Recycle?
  • How to Recycle
  • Behind the Scenes
  • How You Can Help
  • Special Programs
  • Conservation Advocacy
  • Recycling Totals
  • UEC
  • Projects
  • Staff
  • Resources
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Recycling

What Can I Recycle?

Recyclable Materials

• White Paper
• All Plastics with Recycling Symbol
• Mixed Paper
• Transparancies
• Cardboard
• Small electronics
• Aluminum
• Disks and CDs
• Metals
• Glass
• See below for more information

Our Division is tasked with the mission of diverting as much waste from the landfill as possible. The following is what we currently recycle. Remember that trash and recycling containers on University property are for University generated materials only. Please do not bring your personal trash or recyclables from home, or elsewhere, and place them in University containers.

Paper

We collect paper and sort it into two grades:

White Paper

Mixed Paper

Cardboard

We have clearly marked containers around Grounds for cardboard. If you're in a building where we have no cardboard cart outside, you can put the cardboard in front of or behind one of our mobile shelves. In buildings where we have cardboard carts, Housekeeping will collect BROKEN DOWN cardboard in the hall outside your office. We, however, cannot accept milk and juice cartons, as they are coated in wax.
Please remember that Polystyrene, commonly called 'Styrofoam', is a plastic and we cannot accept this at any recycling locations.

Note: All buildings that have recycling programs have carts for cardboard

Aluminum

We collect aluminum all over Grounds, and have many containers for it. Aluminum is one of the best things we recycle since it is our highest source of revenue. Aluminum containers are a renewable resource since they can be made into another aluminum cans indefintely. Please empty the containers and rinse them if possible.

Plastic Containers

We now take all plastic containers that have a recycling number (1 through 7) in the recycling arrow triangle on the side, top, or bottom of the container. There are recycling receptacles in place for co-mingled Used Beverage Containers (UBC) in most buildings on Grounds and in many locations around Grounds, e.g. at many bus stops. We cannot take Styrofoam nor can we accept any automotive supply containers (motor oil, anti-freeze, etc.), even if they are marked with a recycling guide number. The caps of plastic bottles are also not recyclable. Please remove them if you can.

Glass

We can currently accept Clear, Green, and Brown glass. There are containers throughout Grounds. We cannot accept Windows or Mirrors, Light Bulbs, or Beverage Glasses including Stemware. Please empty the containers and rinse them if possible.

Metals

We accept most kinds of metal. We have a scrap metal bin at Facilities Management that will take all kinds of metal. If you have Tin, Steel, Copper, Iron, or any other metals that you need recycled, please give us a call @ 2-5050 so we can assist you in the removal of it.

Electronics

We have a drop off box for electronics located on the second floor of Newcomb Hall near the computers. We accept CDs, DVDs, jewel CD cases, floppy disks, VHS tapes, cell phones, and used ink cartridges (no University-licensed software).

Medical Reuse

We also have a program in place for the Medical Center called MERCI (Medical Equipment Recovery of Clean Inventory). MERCI ships medical supplies overseas to needy countries. Since 1992, MERCI has shipped over 100 tons of material out! This program also collects supplies that can be resterilized and reused within the Medical Center. This enables departments to save money on the supplies. If you are interested in becoming involved with this program, or have any questions, please contact the program coordinator, Helen French, at 970-4307.

Transparencies

We accept transparencies (Overheads). If you can put them in a manila envelope, you can messenger mail them to us at 575 Alderman Rd. Otherwise, you can put them in a box and place them on a recycling shelf.

Alkaline Batteries

Alkaline batteries are no longer considered toxic by the EPA and can be disposed of in the trash. Other types of batteries such as those for a watch, camera, phone, etc. can go to 
Environmental Health & Safety (982-4911). 

Flourescent Lamps

The UVA electricians that are involved in changing out lamps box them up, seal all seams and openings, and label them as special waste (we have boxes and labels). On the 3rd Wednesday of each month, we open the collection trailer at Facilities management from 1pm to 3pm for all departments to bring flourescent lamps to us. We will be adjusting this schedule as needed.
For those who would like to recycle personal lamps, the Rivanna Solid Waste Authority's facility at McIntire Road accepts CFLs. All other fluorescent tubes (2-4 foot long, U-shaped, etc.) need to be taken to the Ivy Material Utilization Center at the old Ivy landfill. For more information on their program, visit www.rivanna.org.

Click here for a Video Tour or to see the Recycling Guide Slideshow