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How to Recycle from On Campus

For the most part, Oberlin uses an all-in-one-bin recycling system. This means that all recyclables, with a few exceptions, go in the blue recycling bins around campus.

In Mudd, the Science Center, King, and the Con, we have paper-only bins in addition to the multi-purpose bins. The paper in these bins is collected by a separate company that pays the college for our recycled paper.

Be sure to check out our More Resources page to find out what else you can recycle!

BLUE BINS ACCEPT:

  • Cans (tin, aluminum, etc)
  • Glass bottles
  • Newspapers
  • Envelopes (windows okay)
  • Mixed Paper (glossy, colored, office)
  • Plastics Labeled #1 or #2

BLUE BINS DO NOT ACCEPT:

When you have the option, put all paper in the paper-only bins. This paper is dumped into the green-and-yellow Paper Retriever bins around campus, where it is picked up by Abitibi Consolidated, a company that pays us for our recycled paper.

Also, look for the blue containers marked "Nothing Personal" near the printers. ONE-SIDED office paper collected there will be turned into notepads and made available to students FREE by the Recyclers. Place paper blank side up.

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On campus, FLATTEN BOXES and take corrugated cardboard (which has a ribbed filling inside two thin sheets of cardboard) to the cardboard dumpsters behind:
  • Wilder
  • Stevenson
  • Talcott
  • Harkness
  • Burton
  • Tank
  • Fairchild (the dorm)
  • Lord/Saunders
  • Science Center
  • Keep
  • Old Barrows
  • Phillips
  • Dascomb
  • or put it in the container in the mailroom

Note: This does not include WAXED or GLOSSY corrugated cardboard.
This does include paperboard (like cereal boxes).

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Every year, Americans purchase nearly three billion disposable batteries. Recycling these batteries helps keep heavy metals out of landfills and out of the air, and saves our resources. (EPA, 2007)

We recommend switching to rechargeable batteries in order to reduce the amount of solid waste in landfills. Although it costs more to buy rechargeable batteries and a charger, this is definitely a worthwhile investment -- rechargeable batteries can be reused hundreds of times before you need to buy new ones!

To recycle batteries:

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OSCA's co-ops run on a slightly more inclusive recycling system than the rest of campus:

You can drop these recyclables off at co-ops. Contact us if you have questions. OSCA also COMPOSTS.

If you have any questions about the Recycling Program or comments about our web pages, email us at recycle@oberlin.edu

This page was last updated in April 2008