Paper and Cardboard

Columbia University’s Morningside Campus complies with New York City’s recycling program in all undergraduate residence halls. The program requires separating the various kinds of recyclables including all types of paper and cardboard.

Paper and cardboard can be discarded together into any receptacles designated for paper. Receptacles marked “Paper” are generally found inside suites, and in central areas such as hallways and lobbies. If a recycling receptacle is missing, submit a maintenance request to have it replaced.

The custodial staff collects all the paper and cardboard. It’s brought to a central location where the New York City Department of Sanitation picks up the cardboard and American International Paper picks up the paper.

The Morningside Campus, including academic and administrative buildings and residence halls, generates about 139 tons of paper and cardboard for recycling each year.

YES - PLACE IN RECYCLING	NO - PLACE IN TRASH
White, colored and glossy paper (Staples OK, but not spiral bindings.) Mail and envelopes Wrapping paper (Remove ribbon and tape.) Smooth cardboard (Shoe boxes, tubes from paper towel and toilet paper rolls, cardboard from product packaging. For food boxes, remove inside and outside plastic wrappers.) Paper bags Cardboard egg cartons and trays Newspapers, magazines and catalogs Phone books, soft-cover books (Paperbacks, comic books, etc.) Corrugated cardboard (If flattened boxes are large, place them next to the recycling bin.)	Hardcover books (Recyclable, if cover is removed.) Used napkins, paper towels or tissues Soiled paper cups or plates heavily soiled paper Plastic- or wax-coated paper or cardboard (Candy wrappers, take-out containers, etc.)

Glass, Metal and Plastic Containers

Columbia University’s Morningside Campus complies with New York City’s recycling program in all undergraduate residence hall buildings. The program requires separating the various kinds of recyclables, including some types of glass, metal, plastic and beverage cartons. Not all plastics and glass are recyclable under New York City’s recycling program; see below for a description of which items are recyclable. Receptacles marked “Bottles & Cans” are generally found inside suites, and in central areas such as hallways and lobbies. If a recycling receptacle is missing, submit a maintenance request to have it replaced.

The custodial staff collects these recyclables and makes them available for pickup by the New York City Department of Sanitation.

The Morningside campus generates approximately 1.4 tons of glass, metal and plastic each year. The campus generates approximately 7 tons of scrap metal each year.

YES - PLACE IN RECYCLING	NO - PLACE IN TRASH
Glass bottles and jars Metal cans (Tuna cans, empty aerosol cans, empty and dried-out paint cans with lids removed, for example.) Aluminum foil wrap and trays Household metal (Wire coat hangers, pots, pans, for example.) Plastic bottles and jugs Beverage cartons and drink boxes (Milk and juice.)	Any glass items other than glass bottles and jars (Mirrors, light bulbs, ceramics, and glassware, for example.) Any plastic items other than plastic bottles and jugs (Deli and yogurt containers, plastic toys, cups, plastic tops, bags and wrap, for example.) Styrofoam (Cups, egg cartons, trays, for example.)

Computer and Other Electronic Equipment

Columbia University complies with all local, state and federal regulations regulating electronic waste through demanufacturing, that is by recovering parts that can be reused, thereby keeping as much as possible out of the waste stream.

If you have a piece of electronic equipment to dispose of, place it beside the regular trash receptacle in your site, hall or basement trash collection area. The equipment will be removed and brought to a central area from which it’s removed by Northeast Lamp Recycling.

The Morningside Campus generates approximately four and a half tons of this hazardous or potentially hazardous waste, including lamps and other mercury-containing devices, each year.

Fluorescent Lamps and Other Mercury-Containing Devices

Mercury-containing devices such as fluorescent lamps and ballasts are classified as hazardous waste. Columbia University’s Morningside Campus complies with federal regulations for their disposal and recycling in all undergraduate residence hall buildings.

If you have a spent fluorescent bulb that needs to be replaced, submit a maintenance request. The material will be brought to a central area from which it’s removed by Northeast Lamp Recycling.

The Morningside Campus generates approximately four and a half tons of this hazardous or potentially hazardous waste, including electronic waste, each year.

Batteries

Most batteries, excluding alkaline, are classified as hazardous waste. Columbia University’s Morningside Campus complies with federal regulations for their disposal and recycling in all undergraduate residence halls.  Submit a maintenance request to have these batteries picked up for proper disposal.

Alkaline batteries do not have to be recycled and may be placed in the regular trash. 

Printer and Copier Cartridges

Reusable Items for Donations

Reusable materials such as furniture generated during moveouts at the end of the year can be donated to a local charitable organization through the Give and Go Green initiative.

As Columbia University Facilities replaces furniture, Facilities attempts to donate pieces that are still usable to local charitable organizations.

Bulk Waste

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