Plastic

Virtually all plastic products on campus can be recycled by placing them in the green bins located all over campus.  Plastic is recycled in the same container as metal. When determining what plastic can be recycled, do not look at the number…plastic just needs to be rigid.  Any items that holds shape on its own can be recycled.  i.e. bottles, frozen meal trays, plastic dinnerware, yogurt cups, lids, straws, can all be recycled.  Plastic bags, plastic wrap, bubble wrap, cellophane cannot.  These same parameters apply to plastic generated in research or patient care areas.  Please do not include Styrofoam, any item currently packaged as a sharp (pipette tips, serological pipettes, etc.), or any item that could be biohazardous, contaminated, or that should be sent to Environmental Health and Safety.

Note: Plastic items should be emptied of all food, drink, or packing materials prior to placement in recycling bin.  However, they do not need to be perfectly clean.  Dumping bulk items is generally good enough, but you can reuse your napkin to wipe any remaining food if necessary.  This will prevent odors as well as pests from being attracted to it until the bin is emptied, which occurs when they are ¾ full.