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Penn recycles about 30% of its total waste stream, diverting over 2,000 tons of material from landfills annually. Facilities and Real Estate Services is responsible for the collection of municipal waste and recyclables at Penn. The University has special recycling for computers, printers, batteries, and fluorescent light bulbs. Our services and programs help the individual reduce their waste stream, reuse products to extend their life cycle, and recycle products at the end of their life cycle.

Help inform your peers about proper recycling practices. Approved Penn Waste and Recycling Posters are available for download on the Green Campus Partnership website [1].

What can you recycle?

Below is a detailed list of what can be recycled on campus:

Mixed Paper

Mixed paper is the term used for all types and grades of paper. Paper and cardboard are collected together from all buildings on campus. Almost all paper, with a few exceptions, can be recycled.

• Office Paper
• Junk Mail
• Bulk Packs
• Glossy Paper
• Magazines
• Newspapers
• Notebooks
• Catalogs
• Paperbacks
• Brown Paper Bags
• Phone Books
• NO Hardcover Books
• NO Wax Paper
• NO Soiled Paper

Departments can recycle hardcover book for a fee by arranging a pick-up through Penn Facilities and Real Estate Services. Contact sustainability@upenn.edu [2] for more information.

All other hardcover books can be donated to your local library. Many bookstores (including the Penn Bookstore @ 36th and Walnut) offer buy-back opportunities for used textbooks.

Cardboard

Empty & Flatten:

• Cardboard boxes
• Clean pizza boxes
• Drink and ice cream cartons
• Fiber board (ex: cereal boxes)
• NO Wax-Coated Cardboard
• NO Food Soiled Cardboard

In Academic/Administrative buildings, put flattened cardboard boxes next to any recycling bin in the building. (This indicates to the housekeeping staff that the box is meant to be recycled.) In College Houses, place flattened boxes in their designated location.

Glass, Plastics #1 - #7, and Metals

Glass, all plastic, and metals are recyclable materials that are collected together, or "commingled," in College Houses, academic/administrative buildings, and outdoor locations across campus.

GLASS

• All glass food and beverage containers (all colors)
• NO window glass
• NO light bulbs

Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulb recycling bins are located at all College House info desks.

PLASTIC

All plastic containers, wrappers, and bags are now recyclable on campus. Examples include:

• Plastic cups, bottles, and lids
• Shampoo and detergent bottles
• Milk jugs and yogurt containers
• Plastic packaging
• Plastic bags
• Plastic wrap
• Candy and chip wrappers
• NO Foam Products

METALS

• Aluminum Cans
• Aluminum Foil
• Empty Aerosol Cans
• Steel & ferrous cans (canned goods, coffee cans, etc.)
• NO batteries or electronics

Trash

The following items are not recyclable, and should be placed in the trash.

FOOD WASTE

• Uneaten Food
• Kitchen Scraps

Food waste from all Penn Dining Halls is composted. Select buildings on campus also provide composting services. Please contact you local Eco-Rep [3] for more information.

SOILED PAPER

• Used Paper Plates, Cups, and Napkins

FOAM

• Foam cups and plates
• Foam containers
• Foam Packing Inserts or "peanuts"

Special Items (Universal Waste and E-Waste)

For information on how to recycle computer, batteries, compact fluorescent light bulbs, and other electronic equipment, please visit the Special Waste and Recycling section of the Green Campus Partnership website [4]. [5]

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Where to recycle

Office and Education Buildings

Each office and educational building handles its waste and recycling differently. Please look for designated bins and recycling areas in your building.

College Houses

All of our College House participate in our recycling program. Please use the recycling containers located at or in your college house or Sansom Place.

Outdoor receptacles and triplets

There are a number of outdoor locations for recycling, including trash and recycling "triplets" and BigBelly solar compactors. FRES' current trashcan consolidation initiative will ensure that all outdoor trash bins are accompanied by at least one recycling bin by the end of the Spring 2012 semester.