Recycle

Contrary to popular belief, a recycling symbol on an object does not mean it is recyclable. The number actually indicates the type of plastic the item is made from. For example, #6 is polystyrene, which is often used to create foam containers and packaging. #7 is a catch-all “other” unidentifiable category. Those numbers are typically not collected in in single-stream commingled recycling operations. At UNCG, you can safely recycle #s 1, 2, and 5.

We’re sorry. We know that’s disappointing. However, please do not bring your recycling from home. UNCG is not responsible for waste generated off-campus. The university pays per ton for recycling and landfill services; please be mindful that adding your personal waste increases our operational expenses. For Greensboro residents, please reference the GSO Collects app for drop-off locations for glass and Styrofoam available across the city.

No. UNCG sends the plastic bags we collect from our campus operations to Harris Teeter. Please cut out the middle-man and bring your bags to your nearest participating grocery store.

No. Please do not put plastic bags or plastic film (ex: Amazon mailer) in the single-stream recycling. Plastic bags can get caught in the sorting machines at the Material Receiving Facility (MRF) causing delays and increasing the expense of operations. All plastic bags and films should be taken to the grocery store or put in one of the drop-off locations on campus that can be found on our recycling guide.

Yes. Any glass containers you purchase in one of our campus stores can be included in our single-stream recycling bins. Likewise, if you are a student resident, you can recycle glass in your dorm recycling stream. Again, do not bring glass from home to campus; please use one of the City’s drop-off locations found in the GSO Collects app.

No. We do not currently collect Styrofoam on campus. We encourage you to reference the GSO Collects app for drop-off locations. There is a site just down the road from campus on Gate City Blvd. at the Tiny House Community Development Center.

Yes. Even is there is a little grease on the box, you can safely recycle it. However, if there is cheese or other food stuck to the box, you should remove it before recycling it or put the box in the trash. You should also remove and trash the flat piece of corrugated cardboard inside the box that the pizza typically rests on.

You can keep the tops on plastic bottles.

No. Those bags and wrappers are not recyclable and are often not entirely plastic. They can also jam up the sorting machines at the MRF. Stick to recycling rigid plastics like bottles, tubs, and jugs.

No. These milk cartons have a wax-like lining inside that helps preserve the milk. Please put paper milk cartons in the trash.

No. Just like the paper milk carton, coffee cups also have a lining to insulate the drink and keep it hot. Please put coffee cups in the trash. Better yet, bring your own refillable mug to the shop!

Yes, recycling absolutely works if we do it correctly. It’s important not to “wish-cycle” and contaminate the recycling stream. If in doubt, throw it out!