The Nuts and Bolts of Recycling at DePauw

Terminology

Co-Mingled: Glass, aluminum, tin, steel, and plastic (GREEN BINS)

Paper: Office paper, colored paper, newspaper, magazines, junk mail, catalogs, and books (BLUE BINS)

Cardboard: Corrugated cardboard, cereal-like boxes, etc.

Contamination: It is important that recycling bins have only the designated items in them. For example, if the paper recycling bin is contaminated with soda residue or other materials, it cannot be recycled. If bins are cross contaminated, physical plant staff will need to deposit the entire contents into trash dumpsters. Contamination is something to be especially careful about with the recycling of paper.

What Can Be Recycled

This information was complied by the student group F.U.N.C. (Friends United for Nature Consciousness):

Refuse Handling Services (RHS) accepts the following recyclable items:
  • Plastics 1, 2, 6 - this number can be found inside of the small triangle located on the bottom of most plastic bottles or containers (Green bins)
  • Clear and colored glass (Green bins)
  • Aluminum, tin, and steel (Green bins)
  • Office paper, colored paper, newspaper, magazines, junk mail, catalogs, and books (Blue bins)
  • Corrugated cardboard, cereal-like boxes, etc. (no larger than 4x4)
  • All recycling picked up by RHS needs to be in clear plastic bags. In the residence halls and academic buildings, physical plant staff will pre-line the recycling bins with clear plastic bags. Students living in University Owned Apartments and Houses (UOAH) units that participate in curb-side recycling, can pick up clear plastic bags from the front desk at the Residence Life and Housing Office in Anderson Street Hall.
The following items are recycled by other agencies:
  • Printer cartridges (the University’s Service Center recycles printer cartridges)
  • Plastic bags (Wal-Mart recycles any used plastic grocery bags)
  • Batteries (Wal-Mart, Target, and Radio Shack recycles used household batteries)
  • Packing peanuts (Mail Boxes Etc. @ 317-858-1422 and Greencastle Packing & Shipping @ 765-653-2445 reuse old packing materials)

Unique Items

  • Confidential Materials: These items should be shredded in your office before recycling. Once a year the Service Center coordinates a shredding service for offices that require large amounts of shredding.
  • Toner Cartridges: Cartridges can be recycled through the Service Center.
  • Large Quantity of Bound Books: Please contact Tony Robertson, Facility Maintenance-Custodial-Recycling Coordinator at trobertson@depauw.edu or 658-4238, to make special arrangements.
  • Computer Equipment: If you are a member of the faculty or staff, Information Services will handle the removal of your old computer equipment. If you are a student, you can call CTEP for additional information about donating your old computer.

Recycling Tips

  • Keep co-mingled, paper, and cardboard in separate bags/containers
  • RHS will not accept recycling if it is not collected in clear plastic bags
  • If possible, rinse out all containers before you put them in the recycling bin
  • Flatten all cardboard boxes
  • If possible remove lids and labels
  • Be careful not to contaminate paper recycling with other products
  • Do not make recycling more difficult for others
  • Influence others to recycle

DePauw Recycling Facts from Physical Plant

DePauw recycles the following items:
  • Flourescent tubes: 4000 annually
  • Antifreeze:100 gallons annually
  • Motor oil: 100 gallons annually
  • Cardboard: 1000 pounds monthly
  • Paint thinners (recycled monthly by an outside vendor)
  • Vehicle tires and batteries

We purchase products made from recycled materials such as toilet paper, roll towels, plastic trash bags, and paper rags.

We purchase as many "Green Products" as we can to use in our custodial area for cleaning and floor care.