Recycling & Refuse

Recycling

The University of Northern Iowa offers single-stream recycling. Single-stream recycling allows you to toss most recyclables into one bin. Here’s a simple guide on how to participate in our convenient single-stream recycling program.

Sorting Made Simple: What goes in the Bin?

Material	Acceptable Items
Paper	Clean paper products like printer paper, notebooks, junk mail, file folders, envelopes.
Plastic	Check the recycling symbol! Clean plastic bottles, jugs, and containers with #1 or #2 labels are accepted.
Cardboard	Recycle newspaper inserts, catalogs, paperback books, phone books and brochures.
Metal	Rinse and recycle aluminum cans, steel food cans, and clean aluminum foil.

Common Contaminants to Avoid:

Material	Unacceptable Items	Why?
Food or Grease	Food-stained or greasy items	These can contaminate the entire batch and make it unusable for recycling. Compost these items if possible.
Plastic	Plastic bags and wraps	These can clog recycling equipment.
Electronics	Electronics	Check for campus e-waste collection options.
Hazardous Waste	Batteries, paint, etc.	Hazardous waste has specific disposal procedures to ensure safety and environmental protection.

Recycling Tips for Success:

Give it a quick rinse: Briefly rinse out containers to remove any lingering food or beverage residue.

When in doubt, leave it out: If you’re unsure whether an item is recyclable, it’s best to err on the side of caution and dispose of it in the trash.

Recycling right is crucial for the success of single-stream recycling programs. By following these simple guidelines, we can significantly reduce contamination and maximize the environmental benefits of recycling.

Paper Recycling

The University of Northern Iowa has an active paper recycling program. Approximately 250,000-350,000 pounds are recycled annually from academic buildings. In most academic buildings there are generally two waste receptacles at work stations, one dedicated to paper and the second for all other refuse. The custodial staff maintains both receptacles, sometimes on an alternate night basis. Transportation Services moves the paper from the academic buildings to the compactor at the West 27th Street warehouse.

Virtually all paper items may be recycled in this manner including phone books.

Printer Cartridge Recycling

Campus Supply recycles old printer ink cartridges. To recycle, send printer cartridge to mail code 0193 and mark the cartridge "recycle". Rechargeable batteries under 2 lbs are also recycled. This recycling system saves UNI money.

Department of Residence Recycling

The Department of Residence has a collection system in place at University residence halls for mixed recycling.

Big Belly Kiosks

UNI has 6 Big Belly Solar Kiosks at high traffic areas on campus. The kiosks contain a Big Belly solar compactor flanked by two recycling containers for mixed recycling. Additionally, there are 6 standalone Big Belly solar compactors near other major crossroads on campus. These compactors both reduce campus litter and the time our Grounds staff spends emptying the containers. The recycling containers further enhance opportunities to recycle.

Please see the UNI Office of Sustainability for additional resources.