Columbia University Housing

Recycling is one of the most important and most practical contributions you can make to environmental stewardship efforts at Columbia. Recycling bins for paper and bottles and cans are available in every building, usually in central locations such as suites, lobbies, and hallways. Please do not deposit waste products in any recycling container, as this action contaminates the entire receptacle. If a recycling receptacle is missing, please submit a Maintenance Request to have it replaced.

All our residence halls participate in the University-wide recycling program. The following items can be recycled in the residence halls:

PAPER

• 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.)

GLASS, METAL, and PLASTIC

• 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.)

RECYCLEBANK

RecycleBank is a rewards program started by a Columbia grad. It started as a program to increase household curbside recycling rates and has been amazingly successful. Now, RecycleBank is bringing the rewards program to universities across the country.

The RecycleBank efforts at Columbia University were recently captured by CNN.com. Click here to view this video presentation!

Since the launch of the program in mid-February of 2008, the Columbia University community has already recycled over 7,500 lbs with the RecycleBank program– that’s 37.5 trees and over 2,500 gallons of oil.

How it Works:

Recycle: Recyclable materials are placed in the RecycleBank bag or plastic bin.

Record: Scan your key card at the RecycleBank kiosk and record the weight of your recyclables.

Rewards: The amount you recycle is translated into rewards at local and national stores.

Other items like batteries, toner cartridges, and electronic equipment can be recycled as well on the first floor of Lerner Hall. For more information about recycling procedures, please visit the Environmental Stewardship section of  Columbia's website. For more information about Housing Services' efforts to reduce its environmental footprint, please visit Our Green Initiatives.