Recycle Right
The following table is also available as a downloadable PDF poster.
| Material | Acceptable | Not Acceptable | Where to Recycle | Managed By | Containers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper & Cardboard | Copy/computer/office paper; glossy paper; colored paper; envelopes; card stock; newsprint; magazines; all books; corrugated cardboard and paperboard; sticky notes | Carbon paper; waxy paper; food packaging; anything stained with food or oil; napkins; tissues; paper towels (clean or dirty) | Desk-side and break room blue bins; dedicated outdoor bins; designated bins in computer labs and libraries. See campus recycling map for selected locations. | UT Recycling & Sustainability, Facilities Services |  |
| Cans | Empty aluminum drink cans (any beverage); tin (food) cans | Unopened or partially full cans; aluminum foil | Designated bins, indoors and out. See campus recycling map for selected locations. | A cooperative network of volunteers and UT waste management staff. |
 |
| Plastics | Beverage and storage containers marked with recycling symbol and the numbers 1 thru 7 | Plastic bags of any kind; Styrofoam (even if marked with recycling number 6); unopened or partially full containers; unwashed plastic containers | Designated bins, indoors and out. See campus map for selected locations. | Same as above | Same as above |
| Ink & Toner Cartridges | All ink and toner cartridges from university printers | Personally owned cartridges | Place your ink and toner by your outgoing mail and label “Document Solutions.” See Document Solutions Web site to request a large pickup or for more information. | Document Solutions | Reuse original boxes or wrap securely with other materials (provided by department). |
| Light Bulbs | Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) | Incandescent or halogen bulbs; fluorescent tubes | You may collect CFLs for recycling and safe handling, and request a pickup from Environmental Health & Safety. Download a handling form. | Environmental Health & Safety | Provided by your department. |
| Batteries | Lithium, lead-acid, all rechargeable batteries | Alkaline, non-rechargeable batteries. See Recycle Right FAQs for more information. | Environmental Health & Safety handles all non-alkaline batteries for recycling and safe disposal. Download a handling request. | Environmental Health & Safety | Batteries are a fire hazard. Please use proper storage and handling procedures while collecting batteries for recycling. Battery terminals should be neutralized with non-conducting tape while waiting for pickup. Isolate batteries from each other in individual plastic bags. Do NOT use cardboard boxes or other flammable containers. |
| Electronic Waste (UT) | UT-owned computers and peripherals, printers, copiers, cell phones, desk phones, etc. | Personally owned items | Contact UT Surplus Property. | UT Surplus | N/A |
| Electronic Waste (Personal) | Anything with a plug and/or charger; electronic storage (CDs, hard drives) | UT-owned items | Hard drives: ITS hard drive destruction service. Lightly used media/personal computers: Check with the Campus Computer Store for trade-in value. Broken or old items: Student Engineering Council e-waste drive in April. Final option: donate to Goodwill’s “Reconnect” program. |
Variable | Department or individual must provide temporary storage, if required. |
| Furniture (UT) | University-owned office furnishings (desks, chairs, tables, etc.); wooden pallets | Personally owned items. | Contact UT Surplus Property. Lab equipment and refrigerators require special handling. You may also refurbish furniture from Surplus or in your own office through the UT Furniture Shop. |
Facilities Services (Surplus Property or Furniture Shop) |
N/A |
