Waste Audits & Recyclemania
Zero Waste Philosophy
Solutions
FAQs
For issues or questions related to recycle pick-up
Phone: 206-281-2330
Email: recycling@spu.edu
What Can I Recycle?
The following table provides a brief summary of common recyclable and non-recyclable items. To determine if additional items are recyclable, use Seattle Public Utilities' "Look It Up" feature.
Recyclable |
Not Recyclable |
|---|---|
| Copy/printer paper | Lids (less than 3" wide) |
| Paper bags & cartons | Food soiled items |
| Glass bottles & jars | Napkins |
| Flattened cardboard boxes | Facial tissue |
| Cans (aluminum, tin, etc.) | Ziplock bags |
| Aluminum foil (clean/rinse first) | Single plastic bags |
| Lids (wider than 3") | Plastic food bags |
| Plastic bottles, containers & jars | Plastic utensils |
| Plastic bags (bag together) | Styrofoam |
Main Campus, Residence Halls, and Offices
The majority of Seattle Pacific's campus is served by multiple haulers, each recycling a specific item type. This means that all recyclables must be sorted into the following categories: paper, cans & bottles, and cardboard.
On-Campus Apartments
Campus apartments are served by Seattle Public Utilities' residential recycling program, which recently adopted single stream recycling. Under this system, all recyclable items go into one bin without needing to be sorted.
Apartment residents are asked to provide a recycle bin for their individual unit, which they can empty into their building's outdoor recycle dumpster.
Operations
Various departments have worked to integrate waste diversion principles into their operations. Here are some examples:
- Composting: Both yard and food waste are collected by Cedar Grove Composting. Gwinn Commons, Subway, and Pura Vida compost food waste.
- Auto Shop: Oil, oil filters, antifreeze, and vehicle batteries from the University's motor pool are recycled or turned in for refinement/recharging and reuse.
- Building Maintenance: University-owned appliances are turned in for recycling or reuse, while metals (iron, copper, brass, aluminum, stainless steel, etc.) are collected to be refined and turned back into raw form for resale.
- Computer Equipment: University-owned computers are donated or recycled via RE-PC at the end of their life cycle.
- Construction: The University makes a concerted effort to recycle construction and demolition waste as well as everyday materials. Our newest building, the Science Building, was completed in 2003 and achieved a 93% landfill diversion rate.
For information on how to recycle additional miscellaneous items, such as printers or non-University owned furniture, please refer to the Solutions section of this site.