Monday, August 29, 2016

Hard-to-Recycle Waste and How to Recycle It

Between Recycling at the University of Michigan and Recycle Ann Arbor, students living on and off campus can recycle most of their waste. Paper, plastic containers, metal, and cardboard are all easily recycled with only a few exceptions. Find the full list of items accepted for recycling at U-M here.

However, there are items that are too difficult to be recycled when placed into a single stream recycling system. Small plastic items, binders, and plastic cleaning product caps and pumps are just some of the items that can’t be thrown into a normal recycling bin.

Luckily, TerraCycle makes it possible for individuals and organizations to recycle their hard-to-recycle waste. This company offers free recycling programs that lets you ship in your hard-to-recycle items.

Take the extra step to recycle those tricky products by taking advantage of these programs offered by the University of Michigan, Recycle Ann Arbor, and TerraCycle! You might even discover some odd items that can be recycled through these programs.
Photo retrieved from TerraCycle

Credit Cards and ID Cards
Send in plastic ID cards and credit cards via campus mail to be recycled the Waste Reduction and Recycling Office at the address below!

Plastic Card Recycling
109 E Madison, 2943

Bottle Caps
Send us your plastic or metal bottle caps to be recycled if you’re on the Ann Arbor campus. Learn how to here.

Plastic Pencils and Pens
Through the Recycle Write program, you can recycle your plastic writing utensils (no wooden pencils please) by setting up your own collection box on campus! Attach this informational poster to your recycling box. This program, made in conjunction with TerraCycle, will also produce $0.02 in donations for C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital for every item recycled!

Email recycle@umich.edu when the box is full and we will send you a prepaid shipping label to send the box off for recycling.

Binders
U-M now offers binder recycling, a program made possible by teaming up with TerraCycle! Contact recycle@umich.edu to find out how to get those old binders recycled.

If you’re on your way to shop for new school supplies, you may just want to take your old binders with you. At certain store locations, OfficeMax and Office Depot collect binders for recycling for free! You will also receive $2 in savings when you hand over your old or broken binders.

Water Filters
Did your Brita or PUR water pitcher break when you moved out of the dorms? Or is it just time to replace the water filters? You can ship dry Brita and PUR products to TerraCycle to be recycled for free!
Photo retrieved from TerraCycle

Cleaning Product Packaging
TerraCycle accepts pumps, caps, and triggers from spray bottles and disinfecting wipes packaging. Ship them in for free!

Personal Care and Beauty Product Packaging
If you’ve ever lived with roommates, you know just how quickly dozens of plastic containers from shampoo and soap can fill up a dorm room or apartment! Collect that empty packaging and ship them to be recycled by TerraCycle for free! You can also send in tooth brushes and empty toothpaste packaging if they are Colgate Brand.

Recycle Ann Arbor Drop Off Station
If you’re a dedicated recycler, hold on to vegetable oil and glass containers and take them the Recycle Ann Arbor Drop Off Station.

U-M has suspended its recycling of glass, but did you know that the U-M dining halls collect cooking oil to be recycled?

Still curious about what can be recycled at U-M? Visit www.recycle.umich.edu.

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