Recycling Solutions
Recycling is the third R of the three Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Recycling means taking a product or material at the end of its useful life and turning it into a usable raw material to make another product. Beyond complying with state or city mandates, recycling is hugely beneficial because it conserves valuable natural resources, reduces energy consumption in the manufacturing of goods, creates jobs, stimulates business development, extends the life of landfills and reduces disposal costs.
UT Austin is committed to waste reduction, energy conservation and resource efficiency. With that in mind, there are many options for UT students, staff and faculty to reduce waste and recycle materials on-site. Recycling saves materials (such as metals, plastics, paper) and puts them back into reuse rather than disposing of them. This guide provides you with a comprehensive listing of what is recyclable and how to recycle on campus and locally.
Energy Savings and CO2 Impacts
| Materials | Grade | % Reduction of Energy* | Equivalent in Barrels of Oil | Tons CO2 Reduced |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | 95 | 37.2 | 13.8 | |
| Paper | Newsprint | 45 | 3.97 | -0.03 |
| Print/writing | 35 | 3.95 | -0.03 | |
| Linerboard | 26 | 2.34 | 0.07 | |
| Boxboard | 26 | 2.43 | 0.04 | |
| Glass | Recycle | 31 | 0.9 | 0.39 |
| Reuse | 328 | 9.54 | 3.46 | |
| Steel | 61 | 2.71 | 1.52 | |
| Plastic | PET | 57 | 11 | 0.985 |
| PE | 75 | 10.8 | 0.346 | |
| PP | 74 | 10.2 | 1.32 |
