Recycling

Most of what we use can be diverted from landfills. Suffolk has readily available trash and single stream recycling bins throughout campus. In addition, our cafeterias divert food waste from the trash by composting during operations.

Graphic of recycling symbol with icons of recyclable items on top of it

Waste Streams at Suffolk

  • Trash: food wrappers, tissues, food scraps, styrofoam, old clothes, etc.
  • Single Stream Recycling: paper, envelopes, magazines, paper cups, paper plates, pizza boxes, plastic containers, glass bottles, metal cans, etc.
  • E-Waste/Hazardous Waste: printer cartridges, batteries, cell phones, light bulbs, electronics, computer parts/cables, appliances, etc.

Recycling Bags 

All resident students have been given a reusable recycling bag to collect their recyclables. This bag can be used to easily transport recyclables to the correct waste stream bin.

Recycling at Suffolk

No, recyclables do not need to be rinsed. Food and liquids should be emptied out before the item goes into a recycling bin, however trace amounts of food is okay.

No, with Suffolk's single stream recycling program, glass, metal, plastic, and paper can go together in any recycling bin. Make sure to separate trash from recycling, as any trash in a recycling bin contaminates the recyclable material making it non-recyclable.

Residential recycling is available in many neighboring communities. Learn more about recycling initiatives in your area or check your local trash and recycling calendar.

You can get involved and help the environment in many ways around campus:
  • Environmental Club through SLI
  • Center for Community Engagement
  • Create classroom content around environmental stewardship
  • Art & Design – design net zero spaces by materials choice and innovation
  • Business – work/build a company you believe in, corporate social responsibility
  • CJN & ADPR – expose impacts of climate change, promote better products
  • Government & Law – legislation to improve human/environmental conditions
  • Sciences – study the environment, engineer green energy
  • Theater – create
  • World Languages, History – understand the past, present, future impacts around the world

Recycling Process

Single-stream recycling arrives as a mix of multiple recyclable materials.

The materials are sorted and separated by type.

The sorted material is compressed into large bales for transport.

Once the material has been sorted and baled, it can be sold to be recycled into other products.