Campus Recycling
Kalamazoo College utilizes single-stream recycling through Republic Services. It takes effort from everyone on campus to ensure our recycling is completed properly.
Find what you need:
- What is single-stream recycling and why is it important? – Learn what single-stream recycling is and why recycling properly is important
- What CAN and CANNOT be recycled? – Learn what can be recycled through our single-stream recycling program at K.
- Recycle Bins at K – Ready to recycle? Learn how to identify recycle bins on campus.
- Point of Contact – Reach out to Facilities Management or the Environmental Stewardship Center with questions.
What is Single-Stream Recycling?
About Single-Stream Recycling
Single-stream recycling is a system where all recyclable materials are placed in one bin and collected together. The materials are sorted at a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) and processed into new products.
The Importance of Recycling Properly
Did you know there are cameras on the recycling trucks? These allow the driver to monitor and ensure everything that is being recycled can actually be recycled.
What happens if non-recyclable items are added to a recycle bin?
When non-recyclable items are added to a recycle bin, the load is rejected. When our recycle dumpsters are emptied into a recycling truck the cameras monitor and look for items that are non-recyclable (e.g. styrofoam, pizza boxes, plastic bags). Those items still go into the truck, but not only is the dumpster rejected, the ENTIRE truck-load (even the correctly recycled items) are rejected. Facilities Management receives reports on the rejections and we are working on tracking these better for improved campus education.
What CAN and CANNOT be recycled?
Examples of acceptable and not acceptable items for single-stream recycling are listed below.
Acceptable Recycling Items
Paper
You CAN recycle:
- printer paper
- newspaper
- magazines
- greeting cards
- paper gift bags
You CANNOT recycle:
- glitter
- felt
- strings
- ribbons
- laminated paper
Important Details:
- staples are okay
- small amounts of tape are also okay
Cardboard
You CAN recycle:
- delivery boxes and other corrugated cardboard
- cereal boxes and other non-corrugated cardboard
You CANNOT recycle:
- pizza boxes (pizza greases renders cardboard unrecyclable)
Important Details:
- must be broken down to take up less space
Shredded Paper
You CAN recycle:
- Shredded paper in a paper bag
You CANNOT recycle:
- loose shredded paper
- shredded paper in a plastic bag
Important Details:
- plastic bags get caught in sorting machines and cannot be used
Metal
You CAN recycle:
Aluminum food packaging such as:
- cans
- foils
- trays
You CANNOT recycle:
Scrap metal like:
- steel
- iron
Scrap metal can be recycled through Facilities Management
Important Details:
- paper or plastic labels do not need to be removed
Glass
You CAN recycle:
- bottles
- jars
You CANNOT recycle:
- broken items
- broken pieces of glass
- shards of glass
Important Details:
- any color of glass is accepted
Plastics
You CAN recycle:
Hard plastic containers such as:
- water bottles
- milk jugs
- detergent containers
- yogurt containers
You CANNOT recycle:
Stretchy or transparent plastic films like:
- grocery bags
- bread bags
- ziplock bags
- plastic food wrap
Important Details:
- Labels can be left on
- Must be clean when added to the single stream bins
- NO plastic bags
CANNOT be recycled through single-stream
Styrofoam
Styrofoam is not recyclable through single stream. Styrofoam can be collected and recycled with the City of Kalamazoo on various dates throughout the year.
E-Waste
Electronic waste (printer cartridges, computers, printers, phones, calculators, electric motors, keyboards, mice and wires) are not recyclable through single stream. These items can be dropped off at the Help Desk in the Library.
Food Residue Items
Napkins, candy wrappers, items with food residue, food and tissues are not recyclable. These should be put in the trash. To-go containers from Dining Services can be composted through industrial composting.
Recycle Bins at K
(single-stream)
Office & Dorm Room Bins
Offices, classrooms and residential hall rooms should have a small, blue recycling bin. These are single-stream bins that can be emptied into the larger hallway bins or parking lot dumpster bins.
Building Bins
Building bins are located in various buildings across campus. These single-stream bins are emptied weekly by Facilities Management.
Parking Lot Dumpsters
Dumpster recycling bins are located in the Trowbridge parking lot, between Harmon and Hoben Halls, the Severn parking lot, behind Hicks Student Center and in Facilities Management parking lot. These are single-stream and are emptied weekly by Republic Services.
Older-Style Sorting Bins
Do you still have sorted recycle bins in your building?
We are currently taking inventory of recycle bins across campus and replacing with only single stream bins. If you have a green recycle bin (for glass, aluminum and plastics), please let us know through the link below.
Points of Contact
Facilities Management
269.337.7308
Contact Facilities if:
- a new (or replacement) office bin is needed
- hallway bin is full and needs to be emptied
- you have scrap metal to recycle
Environmental Stewardship Center (ESC)
EnvironmentalStewardship@kzoo.edu
Contact the ESC if you have questions about:
- how to recycle something that is not on the lists above
- website edits
- getting involved with recycling on campus!