Recycle

NO EXCUSES - WE RECYCLE! 

Recycling in Tompkins County is mandatory and so easy since Tompkins County switched to single stream recycling - now you don't even need to separate out your containers from paper! It can all just be put together in the same bin!

Here's how you can make your impact positive by starting to recycle today.

WHAT to recycle?

  • White paper
  • Colored paper
  • Copier bond
  • Computer printouts                 
  • Letterhead
  • Typing paper
  • Opened mail
  • Fax paper
  • Fliers
  • Posters
  • Non-metallic wrapping paper and greeting cards
  • Manila folders
  • Envelopes
  • Soft-cover books
  • Newspapers
  • Catalogs, magazines, and brochures
  • Notebook paper
  • Telephone books
  • Pamphlets and junk mail
  • Metal cans
  • Aluminum foil
  • Heat-and-serve food pans
  • Glass bottles (all colors)
  • #1-7 plastic containers
  • Milk cartons and drink boxes
  • OCC (cardboard with the wavy middle layer)
  • Computers
  • TVs
  • Monitors
  • Rechargeable batteries
  • Compact fluorescent light bulbs
  • Printer cartridges
  • Cordless and cell phones
  • Any other electronics

WHAT ELSE to recycle?

  • Here is a list of all the things IC will accept in on-campus recycling bins
  • Here is a list of all the things you can recycle off-campus in Tompkins County
  • Here is a list of materials and tips on where and how to recycle or reuse them
  • Check out The World's Shortest Comprehensive Recycling Guide
  • Call our Recycling Hotline at (607) 274-1777 if you have any questions

HOW to recycle?

  • Do not use plastic bags to collect your recycling
  • Empty and rinse containers
  • Remove caps and lids
  • If possible, flatten milk cartons and drink boxes
  • Remove straws from drink boxes
  • Staples, paper clips, rubber bands and envelope windows are okay
  • Flatten cardboard boxes (cardboard that does not fit in the recycling bin can be placed next to it)

WHY recycle?

Recycling makes good sense for our natural environment, our economy, and us. Instead of using materials once, throwing them away in a landfill and then replacing them with new raw materials, you can recycle - this will reduce pollution from the manufacturing process, reduce energy that would otherwise be used to create new materials, and conserve natural resources. Ultimately, all of this will save you money, because things made from recycled content use less energy to produce than raw materials!

Keep in mind that here at IC, we have to pay to get rid of our trash, but we are paid for what we recycle. It's kind of like getting paid twice for recycling - we save the money from not throwing it away and we get paid to recycle! It just makes sense. For more information, click here!

What is RECYCLEMANIA?

RecycleMania is a recycling competition among colleges and and universities across the U.S. It began in 2001, and IC has been participating since 2005. Over a 10-week period, schools compete to see which institution can collect the largest amount of recyclables from residence halls, on-campus apartments and dining halls. Schools report measurements on a weekly basis in pounds recycled per on-campus student. The university that recycles the most wins! Click here for more details.

Please see the navigation bar for more instructions on what, how, and when to recycle both on and off-campus!