Sustainability Initiatives

Campus Recycling

Love Orange, Live Green - Campus Recycling


University of Findlay partners with Rumpke Waste & Recycling to provide convenient, co-mingle recycling stations across campus. Findlay Green Campus Initiative (FGCI) and UF's Physical Plant coordinate the recycling process with Rumpke to make campus recycling convenient for faculty, staff, and students. UF was awarded a Recycle Ohio Grant from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help make this possible.


What is co-mingle recycling?

This means you can put any accepted recyclable materials into one bin together - no need to sort! Scroll down to see a list of our accepted recyclable materials.


Where Can You Recycle?

Virtual view of campus recycling locations via our online campus map coming soon!


  • Co-mingle recycling bins can be found in all major common areas across campus, including but not limited to:
    • dorm lobbies
    • inside on campus houses
    • dining areas
    • the Alumni Memorial Union
    • main entry areas of all campus buildings
    • inside every classroom

  • Large co-mingle recycling dumpsters located:
    • in the parking lot on College Street between the Center for Student Life and College of Business and the Cory Street mall sidewalks
    • behind Deming Hall/Henderson Dining
    • between Morey Hall and the Koehler Fitness and Recreation Complex

What Can Be Recycled On Campus?

  • Cardboard
  • Paperboard (like cereal boxes)
  • Brown paper bags
  • Office paper and envelopes
  • Newspapers, magazines and inserts
  • Telephone books and catalogs
  • Cartons - food & beverage cartons (remove lids & straws)
  • Aluminum cans
  • Glass bottles and jars - any color
  • Other metal cans
  • Plastic beverage bottles, jugs, and tubs (#1 PETE)
All recyclable items must be emptied of their original contents before recycling.
picture of accepted materials for recycling
Image source: Rumpke.com


Where Do These Recyclables Go?

UF has partnered with Rumpke Waste & Recycling, a family-owned Ohio-based company that's been in business since 1932. All recyclables from campus are processed and sorted at their Material Recovery Facility (MRF) through a sophisticated conveyor belt system where they're able to sort out items like glass, plastic drinking bottles, newspapers, cardboard, aluminum and metal cans, and food cartons that can be made into new things and remove items that can contaminate and causes issues with the MRF, such as the items listed below. Materials that CAN be recycled are bailed up and shipped off to manufacturers across the country to get made into something new.

  • 95% of your recyclables stays in the United States and 88% of those recyclables stay local - helping to reduce our carbon footprint!
  • Rumpke is the only waste & recycling company in the country that operates its own glass processing plant, which makes recycling glass easier and more sustainable.

  • Examples of what you're recyclables are being made into:
    • Plastics:
      • Plastic strapping for the packaging industry
      • Plastic pallets
      • More plastic bottles such as dish soap bottles, cleaning product bottles, food grade containers, etc.
    • Cardboard:
      • Toilet paper
      • Paperboard
      • Paper towels
    • Glass:
      • More glass bottles - recycling glass does not reduce the quality of glass, so it can be recycled indefinitely!
      • Fiberglass insulation
    • Aluminum:
      • More aluminum cans - recycling aluminum does not reduce the quality of metal, so it can be recycled indefinitely!


Examples of Items that CANNOT be Recycled

The following items can cause big problems in the recycling plant, damaging machines and stopping operations. Recycle great, don't contaminate!
  • Plastic bags
  • Single-use to-go food containers (ex. clam shell containers, coffee cups, sauce cups, etc.)
  • Clothes and sheets
  • Pots and pans
  • Light blubs
  • Dishware
  • Hangers and wires
  • Car parts
  • Window glass
  • Cords, belts, and dog leashes
  • Hoses and chains
The following items are considered HAZARDOUS and CANNOT be recycled:
  • Batteries
  • Chemicals
  • Needles
  • Helium and propane tanks

Sustainable Alternatives to Consider

  • Reusable tote bags instead of plastic bags
  • Reusable water bottles instead of single-use plastic bottles
  • Bamboo toothbrushes instead of plastic toothbrushes
  • Deodorant in cardboard containers instead of plastic containers
  • Reusable lunch containers instead of single-use plastic containers
  • Ride your bicycle instead of driving - consider Re​cycle Cycle!
  • Reusable cloth produce bags instead of single-use plastic produce bags
  • Shampoo and conditioner bars instead of single-use plastic bottled products
  • Bar of soap instead of bodywash in a single-use plastic bottle
  • Stainless steel, bamboo, or paper straws instead of single-use plastic straws
  • Check out these additional easy eco-friendly swaps (links to pelacase.com)

Questions?

If you have questions about our recycling program, please contact the Physical Plant at 419-434-4544 or [email protected].



THANK YOU for recycling!​