Sustainability

• Welcome to UChicago
• Tips on Going Green
• Recycling Directory
• Green Event Certification
• Recommended Reading
• Community Resources
• City and State Resources
• Campus Resources

Aluminum foil and cans

The mining and processing of aluminum is extremely resource-intensive. Aluminum is almost 100% recyclable and does not degrade during the recycling process, making it the most valuable beverage container to recycle. It yields significant energy savings, as well: making a new aluminum can from an old one uses 95% less energy than using virgin materials. Earth911 has more information on aluminum recycling.

Where can I recycle aluminum on campus?

Clean aluminum foil and food containers may be placed in any recycling bin around campus or in the dorms.

Where can I recycle aluminum in Chicago?

Aluminum products can be recycled in most offices and housing units, including those managed by the University's Residential Properties. Chicago residents should place aluminum and cans into blue carts for recycling. For residents not served by the City's blue cart system, recyclables may be dropped off at 36 recycling centers across the city. For those living in buildings with more than four units, talk to your landlord to find out how you can recycle.

Appliances

After the end of their useful life (typically 10-18 years), large home appliances can either be refurbished and resold or recycled, depending on their condition. These appliance are mainly made of steel, with trace amounts of aluminum, zinc, copper, recyclable plastics, and Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) refrigerants. According to the EPA, these components can be recycled easily and can be quite valuable, which helps to contribute to the material's impressive recycling rate of 90% as of 2008. Not only does appliance recycling save landfill space and prevent the release of harmful chemicals into the environment, but in many cases it saves energy too. For instance, according to the Chicago Recycling Coalition, using scrap material to manufacture steel results in a 97% reduction in mining wastes, 90% savings in virgin materials use, 86% reduction in air pollution, 76% reduction in water pollution, 74% savings in energy, and 40% reduction in water use.

Where can I recycle appliances on campus?

There are no locations on campus that currently recycle appliances. Appliances are accepted at the University's annual e-waste event. Keep an eye out for information on the next e-waste event.

Where can I recycle appliances in Chicago?

It is easiest to recycle old appliances when purchasing new ones. Many retailers, including Sears, will pick up your old appliance when they deliver a new one. ComEd is also running a refrigerator pick up recycling program. The Chicago Recycling Coalition has more details about recycling appliances in Chicago. Chicagoans living in single-family homes or apartment buildings with four units or less can place appliances in alleys for pick up by the Department of Streets and Sanitation. All other residents served by private waste haulers who cannot bring their appliances to a recycling facility should discuss their options with their building's facility manager. Local scrap dealers also accept old appliances, although they may charge a fee to safely and properly recycle all the components.

Batteries

All batteries can be categorized as primary (single use) or secondary (rechargeable). Both types, if disposed of in trash incinerators or municipal landfills, can release dangerous amounts of toxic elements. Properly recycling batteries prevents hazardous materials from leaching into our air and water.

Where can I recycle batteries on campus?

Facilities Services operates a recycling program for non-rechargeable batteries of all shapes and sizes. There are several locations to drop off these batteries around campus. Look for the cylindrical containers at the Regenstein Library, outside of the University of Chicago Environmental Center (Reynolds Club 002A), and other locations on campus. Any household batteries are acceptable (excluding cell phone batteries). Batteries are picked up within a week or so after a call is placed to the Facilities Work Center at 773.834.1414. The recycling service is free.

Where can I recycle batteries in Chicago?

The City of Chicago has also partnered with the Chicago Public Library and Chicago Walgreens to provide residents with a place to recycle single use and rechargeable batteries. All common dry cell batteries, including alkaline, rechargeable and other common types can be recycled. Batteries accepted include: alkaline batteries (e.g. Duracell, Energizer, Ever Ready), lithium batteries (typically found in cameras), all button type batteries (found in watches and smaller electronic devices), and rechargeable tool batteries. Wet cell batteries, such as car batteries, cannot be recycled through this program. DO NOT bring car batteries or lead acid batteries to these locations; take them to the Household Chemicals and Computer Recycling Facility. You may take your batteries to any Chicago Public Library or Chicago Walgreens location during their hours of operation. Many Aldermanic offices also participate in the program. Please call ahead to inquire.

For rechargeable batteries and larger computer batteries, refer to Earth911, which offers many resources for recycling batteries.

Bottle caps

Bottle caps that seal items such as beverages in plastic bottles, cosmetic products, milk cartons, ketchup bottles, and laundry detergents are accumulating in landfills worldwide. Not only do bottle caps pollute the planet, they are also severely harmful to wildlife who often ingest them.

Where can I recycle bottle caps on campus?

There are no bottle cap recycling options currently available on campus.

Where can I recycle bottle caps in Chicago?

Aveda currently operates a recycling program for many varieties of bottle caps. The Aveda Store at the John Hancock Center accepts bottle caps, as does the Aveda Institute located at 2828 N. Clark Street in Chicago.

Building Supplies

Reusing building materials reduces the consumption of new resources, saves money during the construction of new projects, and minimizes landfill waste and pollution. Building material reuse is achieved by deconstructing (disassembling) a building in such a way that the materials (flooring, siding, fixtures, etc.) can be reused for new construction.

Where can I recycle building supplies on campus?

There are no building supplies recycling options currently available on campus. Check our FAQs for information on what the University recycles in the way of construction materials and building supplies.

Where can I recycle supplies in Chicago?

There are several options for recycling and reusing building materials. If you are in the Chicago area, consider donating your building materials to or buying salvaged materials from The Rebuilding Exchange. Building Materials Reuse Association also offers a comprehensive list of building material recyclers in North America.

Cardboard

Cardboard is one of the most popular packing materials: according to Earth911, more than 90% of packages sold in the U.S. are transported in cardboard. When cardboard breaks down in landfills it creates methane, a major greenhouse gas. Luckily, it is one of the easiest materials to recycle because the fiber has already been processed and as of 2009, about 80% of cardboard in the U.S. was recovered for recycling. Both corrugated cardboard and paperboard can be recycled into a variety of paper products.

Where can I recycle cardboard on campus?

Cardboard can be placed in any recycling bin on campus or in the dorms. Be sure that it is clean and flattened.

Where can I recycle cardboard in Chicago?

Cardboard can be recycled at a number of locations throughout Chicago. Many high volume businesses throughout the city, including Jewel-Osco and Dominicks, accept boxes at a majority of their locations. In addition, cardboard can be recycled in most office and housing units, including those managed by the University's Residential Services.

Chicago residents should place aluminum and cans into blue carts for recycling. For residents not served by the City's blue cart system, recyclables may be dropped off at 36 recycling centers across the city. For those living in buildings with more than four units, talk to your landlord to find out how you can recycle.

Carpet

If you are in the market for new carpeting, consider individual interlocking carpet squares that can be purchased at more specific amounts than a roll of carpet, which helps reduce the amount of excess carpeting left after installation. These squares allow for easy installation, as well as quick replacement of a square or two due to spills or high-traffic patterns.

Where can I recycle carpet on campus?

There are no carpet recycling options on campus at this time.

Where can I recycle carpet in Chicago?

The best option for carpet recycling in the Chicago area is to find an installer who offers reclamation services with installation. Ask the dealer to include a "reclamation specification" when ordering a new carpet. INVISTA offers national reclamation services, but they may charge an up front cost. For more information and ideas, visit Chicago Recycling Coalition.

CDs, CD cases, and hard drives

CDs are made of two high value recyclable materials: polycarbonate plastic and aluminum. According to Back Thru the Future, 300 cubic feet of natural gas, two cups of crude oil, and 24 gallons of water are used to manufacture one pound of plastic, or 30 CDs. A single hard drive contains approximately one pound of aluminum and recycling this saves enough energy to run your television for 102 hours. Recycling CDs and hard drives saves a substantial amount of energy and prevents pollution attributed to the manufacturing of these items.

Where can I recycle CDs and hard drives on campus?

IT Services offers free recycling for hard drives. CDs, DVDs, and cases are not currently recycled on campus. These items are accepted at the University's annual E-waste event. Keep an eye out for information on the next e-waste event.

Where can I recycle CDs and hard drives in Chicago?

Consider bringing your CDs to Best Buy for recycling. Several organizations also accept CDs sent through the mail, including CD Recycling Center and Green Disk, although a small fee may apply. Back Thru the Future recycles hard drives for free and will also recycle CDs and cases that are shipped to them.

Cell phones

Recycling cell phones helps the environment by saving energy and reducing the need for new landfills. Important components of cell phones, such as precious metals, copper, and plastics can be salvaged for future use. Phones can be recycled into refurbished cell phones or broken down into parts for future use in other products.

Where can I recycle cell phones on campus?

Green Campus Initiative has placed cell phone collection boxes in several locations across campus (lobby of Mitchell Hospital, lobby of Regenstein Library, the CAPS office (2nd floor of Ida Noyes), and basement of Reynolds Club, room 002A).

Where can I recycle cell phones in Chicago?

When buying a new phone, ask if your cell phone carrier will recycle your old phone.

AT&T, Best Buy, Office Depot, Sprint, Staples, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless all offer drop-off recycling programs. Please browse their respective websites for more information.

Clothing and fabric

According to the U.S. EPA Office of Solid Waste, Americans throw away more than 68 pounds of clothing and textiles per person per year. The manufacturing of clothing is energy-intensive, whether it is pesticide-intensive cotton or petroleum based-polyester. Be vigilant about donating old clothes, or properly recycling them to close the loop on fabric waste.

Where can I recycle clothing and fabric on campus?

Look around campus for clothing collection boxes for local charities.

Where can I recycle clothing and fabric in Chicago?

There are numerous options to reuse and recycle clothing, including selling your clothes online (eBay, Craigslist, the Freecycle Network). Or, go to your local consignment store. Buffalo Exchange and Crossroads Trading will give you cash or store credit in exchange for the clothes they take. Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood has many shops that will give you a share of the profits they make from selling your goods. You can also donate your clothes to Goodwill, the Salvation Army, or to other nearby clothing collection boxes. For fabric, Trans-America Trading Company accepts clothes and fabric swatches to recycle or resell.

Computers and electronic waste

Electronic waste, or e-waste, is anything you want to get rid of that has a plug, a battery or was once electric equipment or a component of electric equipment (like fans, calculators, disk drives, computers, keyboards, space heaters, etc.). E-waste has significant consequences for the environment once it reaches landfills because it often includes contaminants such as lead, cadmium, beryllium, mercury, and brominated flame retardants. All of these contaminants, even in small doses, can leach out and contaminate soil and drinking water once disposed of in landfills, causing significant health and environmental impacts. E-waste is responsible for an estimated 70% of the heavy metals found in landfills.

Where can I recycle computers and e-waste on campus?

IT Services will accept computers, laptops, monitors, keyboards, modems, printers, and scanners free of charge. Working computers will be refurbished and donated while non-working computers will be processed in an environmentally sound manner, not dumped in a landfill. Drop hardware off at the Solution Center Warehouse located at 6019 S Kimbark Ave., Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. IT Services can also pick up a small amount of computer hardware at your location, by appointment. If you would like schedule an appointment, call 773-702-7913 or email computer-recycling@listhost.uchicago.edu.

These items are accepted at the University's annual e-waste event. Keep an eye out for information on the next event.

Where can I recycle computers and e-waste in Chicago?

It is easiest to recycle computers and e-waste when you buy new technology. Many retailers will recycle your old computer when purchasing a new one from them. Sometimes, the technology is refurbished and resold, while other times it is simply recycled. Some electronic items are accepted at the City of Chicago's North Branch Household Chemicals & Computer Recycling Facility. Office Depot, Staples, Apple, Dell, and Best Buy all offer technology recycling programs, although some companies may charge fees to safely and properly recycle on your behalf. The Green Earth Exchange, in partnership with Amazon.com, and Target now run trade-in programs. Depending on an item's condition and value, it can be recycled free of charge or in exchange for a gift card, complete with paid shipping labels.

Cork

Cork, made from the bark of cork oak trees, is a renewable, recyclable material that should be collected properly so that it can be used and reused many times over. Recycled cork can be made into many new products including flooring tiles, building insulation, footwear, bulletin boards, and packaging materials.

Where can I recycle corks on campus?

There are no cork recycling options available to students, faculty, or staff on campus.

Where can I recycle corks in Chicago?

Since the spring of 2010, all Whole Foods locations nationwide collect corks and give them to regional companies that manufacture new items from recycled cork. Please note that synthetic corks made from petroleum-based products are not accepted through this program.

Cosmetics

When was the last time you cleaned out your medicine cabinet or cosmetic bag? While cosmetics do have a shelf life, they don't need to end up in our landfills once they're spent. Makeup and cosmetic items are not normally recycled simply because consumers and community recyclers often do not know that these products can be diverted from landfills.

Where can I recycle cosmetics on campus?

There are no options for recycling cosmetics on campus at this time.

Where can I recycle cosmetics in Chicago?

Cosmetics maker Origins will accept empty cosmetic tubes, bottles, and jars from any manufacturer, free of charge, at virtually any Origins location nationwide. There are several Origins locations in and around the City of Chicago; it's recommended that you call ahead to confirm that the location is operating the program. MAC Cosmetics also offers the Back to MAC recycling program for its products. 

Eyeglasses

Donating your old eyeglasses as your prescription or style changes can make a tremendous difference to the lives of children and adults around the world.

Where can I recycle eyeglasses on campus?

No resources are available on campus for the proper disposal of eyeglasses, but consider gathering a group in your office or dorm for donations.

Where can I recycle eyeglasses in Chicago?

Mail your eyeglasses to various foundations, such as New Eyes for the Needy. There are also free reuse programs, such as that offered by Lions Club International, that donate glasses to those in need.

Glass

Glass is 100% recyclable and can be used and reused endlessly. Most recycling programs will only accept glass containers because other glass products such as light bulbs, mirrors, and Pyrex are treated with chemicals during the manufacturing process.

Where can I recycle glass on campus?

Clean glass of any color may be placed in any of the recycling bins around campus or in the dorms.

Where can I recycle glass in Chicago?

Glass products of any color can be recycled in most offices and housing units, including those managed by the University's Residential Properties. Chicago residents should place glass into blue carts for recycling. For residents not served by the City's blue cart system, recyclables may be dropped off at 36 recycling centers across the city. For those living in buildings with more than four units, talk to your landlord to find out how you can recycle.

Holiday trees

Holiday trees can be recycled and used to make sand, soil, mulch, and erosion barriers, among other things. It is environmentally unsafe and dangerous to your health to burn holiday trees. Instead, recycle them into something useful.

Where can I recycle holiday trees on campus?

There are no venues on campus for disposing of holiday trees.

Where can I recycle holiday trees in Chicago?

The City of Chicago holds an annual city-wide holiday tree recycling drive in early January. Bring your tree to any number of Chicago Park District parks for free and go home with some fresh mulch if you would like it. For more information, check the City's website in early December.

For a small donation, the non-profit Do The Right Thing will pick your tree up directly from your home and bring it to a local nursery for chipping and composting.

Household hazardous waste

Hazardous waste can include liquids, solids, gases, and sludges. While they can be discarded commercial products, such as cleaning fluids or pesticides, many household products are also considered hazardous waste. Households produce numerous sources of hazardous materials, from dish detergent and tile cleaner to paint and old medications. All leftover household products that contain corrosive, toxic, ignitable, or reactive ingredients are considered household hazardous waste. It is important to properly dispose of this waste in order to protect the environment and human health.

Where can I recycle hazardous waste on campus?

There are no resources currently available on campus to dispose of household hazardous waste.

If University departments on campus or at satellite locations have hazardous waste to dispose of, please contact Environmental Health and Safety at 773-702-9999 for a pick up and instructions on properly preparing your materials for disposal. If departments within the University Hospitals and Medical Center have hazardous waste to dispose of, please contact the Regulatory Compliance Safety Office at 773-702-1733.

Where can I recycle hazardous waste in Chicago?

All household hazardous waste materials may be dropped off at the City of Chicago's North Branch Household Chemicals & Computer Recycling Facility at 1150 N. Branch Street. Be sure to confirm the site hours by calling or checking online.

Ink cartridges

Hundreds of millions of inkjet cartridges end up in landfills every year. Recycling cartridges can save up to 80% of the energy required to make new cartridges. Consider refilling your cartridges as well— they can be refilled five to seven times before they need to be recycled.

Where can I recycle ink cartridges on campus?

The student group Green Campus Initiative has placed ink cartridge collection boxes in several locations across campus, including the lobby of Mitchell Hospital, the lobby of Regenstein Library, the CAPS office (2nd floor of Ida Noyes), and the basement of Reynolds Club, room 002A.

Where can I recycle ink cartridges in Chicago?

Look for a return envelope mailer, often included with new cartridges, to send the cartridge back to the manufacturer after use. You may also be able to recycle cartridges at participating US Post Offices in Chicago (call to check restrictions beforehand as it is currently only a pilot program offered in select areas). Cartridges can be refilled at various Walgreens and Cartridge World stores. There are also many resources online for easy mail-in programs, including Recycle Tech Solution's "Dream Green" program or the Funding Factory.

Junk mail

The first step to combat junk mail is to contact the company and ask to be removed from their promotional material list. Register with DMAchoice, which can help to manage the junk mail you receive. Additionally, it is a great idea to opt for online services to reduce paper trails whenever possible.

Where can I recycle junk mail on campus?

All junk mail can be recycled, including envelopes with clear plastic windows and phone books, by placing these materials in any of the recycling bins around campus or in the dorms. When recycling junk mail, be sure that it does not reveal any personal information that could be used in identity theft or other harmful scenarios.

Where can I recycle junk mail in Chicago?

Junk mail, which falls under the category of "mixed paper" recyclables, can be recycled in most offices and housing units, including those managed by the University's Residential Services. Chicago residents should place junk mail into blue carts for recycling. For residents not served by the City's blue cart system, recyclables may be dropped off at 36 recycling centers across the city. For those living in buildings with more than four units, talk to your landlord to find out how you can recycle.

Light bulbs

Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) are a sustainable lighting option, but contain mercury, a substance that can pose a serious hazard to your health if you come in contact with it, even via landfill. This necessitates the proper disposal and recycling of CFLs along with other light bulbs.

Where can I recycle light bulbs on campus?

Light bulbs that were installed by Facilities Services can be removed and recycled by submitting a Service Request to the Facilities Work Center. Facilities will remove and properly dispose of the fluorescent bulb within 7 to 14 days.

Where can I recycle light bulbs in Chicago?

Compact fluorescent light bulbs and tubes may be dropped off at the City of Chicago's North Branch Household Chemicals & Computer Recycling Facility at 1150 N. Branch Street. Be sure to confirm the site hours by calling or checking online. CFLs can also be recycled at any Home Depot location.

Please refer to Earth911.com for a thorough list of resources for all light bulb and lighting recycling, including string, neon, and florescent bulbs.

Motor oil

More than 50% of car owners change their oil themselves. Too often, the old oil is illegally poured on the ground or into the sewer. Because oil does not readily dissolve in water and is slow to degrade in the environment, these practices seriously contaminate underground water supplies and are nearly impossible to clean up. One gallon of oil disposed of improperly can have extensive effects: it can create an oil slick on surface water up to 8 acres in size, contaminate 1 million gallons of freshwater (one year’s supply of water for 50 people), and render a 4-acre area of soil unusable for planting for decades. When disposed of properly, used motor oil can be re-processed, re-refined, and re-use, resulting in significant natural resource, energy, and monetary savings.

Where can I recycle motor oil on campus?

There are no venues on campus for disposing of motor oil.

Where can I recycle motor oil in Chicago?

Several mechanics and gas stations in Hyde Park have recycling programs. Check Earth911.com for a list of local businesses that accept used motor oil. If you take your car in for oil changes, ask your mechanic to confirm that they recycle their motor oil. Used motor oil may also be dropped off at the the City of Chicago's North Branch Household Chemicals & Computer Recycling Facility at 1150 N. Branch Street. Be sure to confirm the site hours by calling or checking online.

Office supplies

There are many ways to reuse desks, chairs, lamps, and garbage bins that are in good condition. Whenever possible, consider giving away or selling them for reuse.

Where can I recycle office supplies on campus?

Ask around to see if any colleagues have a use for the office supplies that you are no longer using. You can also consider giving away or selling your goods on marketplace.uchicago.edu.

Where can I recycle office supplies in Chicago?

Consider giving away or selling your goods on Craigslist or eBay or bringing them to a Goodwill, Salvation Army, or another thrift store. The Resource Center, located on the South Side of Chicago, runs the Creative Reuse Warehouse that collects used office supplies free of charge.

Paint

Latex paint is considered safe for landfills, but oil-based paint is a hazardous waste that may leech into streams and rivers and so must be disposed of accordingly. Be sure to completely dry latex paint before placing it in the garbage; the plastic or metal tin the latex paint comes in may be recycled separately.

Where can I recycle paint on campus?

The are no resources currently available on campus to properly dispose of toxic (oil-based) paint.

If University departments on campus or at satellite locations have hazardous waste to dispose of, please contact Environmental Health and Safety at 773-702-9999 for a pick up and instructions on properly preparing your materials for disposal. If departments within the University Hospitals and Medical Center have hazardous waste to dispose of, please contact the Regulatory Compliance Safety Office at 773-702-1733.

Where can I recycle paint in Chicago?

Oil-based paint is considered household hazardous waste and must be dropped off at the the City of Chicago's North Branch Household Chemicals & Computer Recycling Facility at 1150 N. Branch Street. Be sure to confirm the site hours by calling or checking online.

Paper

Paper is the most prevalent material in municipal waste streams—making up nearly 30% of Chicago's municipal solid waste. In the office, Americans throw away 4 million tons of copy paper—that's enough paper each year to build a 12-foot wall from New York to Los Angeles! By increasing the amount of paper we recycle, we can significantly reduce the amount of waste that arrives in our landfills.

Where can I recycle paper on campus?

Paper may be placed in any recycling bin on campus or in the dorms.

Where can I recycle paper in Chicago?

Paper can be recycled in most offices and housing units, including those managed by the University's Residential Properties. Chicago residents should place paper into blue carts for recycling. For residents not served by the City's blue cart system, recyclables may be dropped off at 36 recycling centers across the city. For those living in buildings with more than four units, talk to your landlord to find out how you can recycle.

Pharmaceuticals

Prescription and over-the-counter medications enter into our water system if they are flushed down the toilet. Such practices can pollute our drinking water and cause harm to people and the environment. Instead of flushing or throwing away unused or expired medications, ensure that they are properly and safely disposed of.

Where can I recycle pharmaceuticals on campus?

There are no options for recycling medications on campus at this time.

If your medication is prescribed by the University of Chicago pharmacy, colored dots are placed on the prescription, indicating proper means of disposal. A purple dot on the prescription means that if you no longer need the medication, it should be returned to the pharmacy. If it does not have a purple dot, the medication can be thrown away. If the prescription has a black dot, it should be put in a black hazardous material bin at the medical center.

Where can I recycle pharmaceuticals in Chicago?

The City of Chicago and the Chicago Police Department offer five drop off locations where you can safely and properly dispose of unused or expired prescription and over-the-counter medications. Locations are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Pharmaceuticals (non-controlled substances) can also be brought to the city’s Household Chemicals & Computer Recycling Facility at 1150 N. North Branch St.

The Health Equity Project gives medications to those who need them and do not have access; they accept unused, non-expired medications. If you have unused HIV/AIDS medications that have not yet expired and are no longer needed, contact RAMP to help someone who does not have access to those medicines. In addition, you can bring your expired medication to CVS or other local pharmacies to be disposed of properly.

Plastic bags

Plastic bags photodegrade, meaning they slowly break down into smaller and smaller bits that can contaminate soils and waterways. To help reduce plastic bag usage, it is best to shop with a stash of reusable bags. However, if you forget your reusable bags once in a while, there are many creative ways to reuse the plastic bags in your household. For example, plastic bags can be used to cover library books, line garbage cans, hold your muddy sneakers, and protect your bike seat from the rain. Once you've gotten all the use out of them that you can, be sure to recycle them so they don't end up in our landfills or environment.

Where can I recycle plastic bags on campus?

There are currently no options to recycle plastic bags on campus.

Where can I recycle plastic bags in Chicago?

Many grocery and convenience stores now accept plastic bags for recycling, including Jewel-Osco, CVS, Walgreens, Whole Foods, and Target.

Plastics

Plastic can be found everywhere — bags, electronics, bottles, and beyond! Thus, consider avoiding petroleum-based plastic materials at the origin by opting for bags, electronics, bottles, etc. made of other materials whenever possible. When plastics are needed, be sure to recycle them once their useful life is over.

Where can I recycle plastics on campus?

Clean plastic containers can be tossed into any recycle bin on campus or in the dorms. Be sure to remove the caps (see above entry for bottle caps).

Where can I recycle plastics in Chicago?

Clean plastic containers can be recycled in most offices and housing units, including those managed by the University's Residential Properties. Chicago residents should place paper into blue carts for recycling. For residents not served by the City's blue cart system, recyclables may be dropped off at 36 recycling centers across the city. For those living in buildings with more than four units, talk to your landlord to find out how you can recycle.

Scrap metal

Metal is a common building product. Recycling metal into scrap and eventually new metal products reduces the need for mining and lowers production costs for metal manufacturers.

Where can I recycle scrap metal on campus?

No resources are available on campus for recycling scrap metal.

Where can I recycle scrap metal in Chicago?

Lake County Scrap Metal and St. Charles Scrap Metal are both located in the Chicagoland area and recycle scrap metal. Please explore Earth911.com to find additional scrap metal recycling centers near your residence.

Shoes

Your track shoes can be broken down into component parts and repurposed, so don’t throw them away! Nike has collected more than 20 million shoes in the last two decades, using them to create new shoes, as well as sport surfaces, such as basketball courts. In addition, you may consider resoling an old pair rather than throwing them out.

Where can I recycle shoes on campus?

Many clothing and shoe drives are held around campus. Look for bins on campus before taking them to a second-hand shop or to be recycled.

Where can I recycle shoes in Chicago?

Gently worn sneakers and other shoes can be dropped off at several area retailers and locations that collect shoes for local non-profit Share Your Soles, which provides the shoes to those with the greatest need around the world. Locations include both Fleet Feet Chicago stores and the Woodlawn Community School.

Certain Nike stores also take old shoes for recycling. The nearest locations to Hyde Park are the Factory Store (8510 S. Cottage Grove Ave., 773.846.5460) and Niketown (669 N. Michigan Ave, 312.642.6363). For more information, visit Nike's Reuse-A-Shoe website.

Styrofoam

Styrofoam takes over a million years to break down. Avoiding Styrofoam and excessive packaging in general will considerably benefit the environment.

Where can I recycle Styrofoam on campus?

At this time, no resources are available on campus for the proper disposal of Styrofoam.

Where can I recycle Styrofoam in Chicago?

Save and reuse your Styrofoam for packing. Some UPS stores and post offices will accept packing peanuts; check online or call ahead to confirm. Several mail-in programs also accept Styrofoam. Explore your options at Earth911.com.

Toner cartridges

Like ink cartridges, toner cartridges should be refilled and reused several times because their lifespan actually can be quite long. Once they are no longer reuseable, toner cartridges can be recycled. Cartridges contain potentially hazardous materials and must be recycled with care.

Where can I recycle toner cartridges on campus?

First check with the toner cartridge manufacturer about any free mail-back programs they may have. If they do not provide such a service, a large collection box is currently located on the 2nd floor of Ida Noyes for old toner cartridges.

Where can I recycle toner cartridges in Chicago?

Canon, Xerox, Hewlett Packard, and Lexmark all provide mail-in recycling options for toner cartridges. Cartridge World will also refill toner cartridges. Furthermore, there are many resources online for easy mail-in programs, including Recycle Tech Solution's Dream Green program.

VHS Tapes

While few people continue to purchase VHS tapes, they are still readily available at the library, online, and at thrift shops. VHS tapes are composed predominately of plastic and chemicals that will be harmful to the environment when simply thrown in a landfill. Instead, look to give them new homes or recycle them.

Where can I recycle VHS tapes on campus?

There are no venues on campus for disposing of VHS tapes. However, feel free to donate your tapes to a local library or thrift shop.

Where can I recycle VHS tapes in Chicago?

Donate your VHS tapes to a local library or thrift shop, or post them on Craigslist or the Freecycle Network. A great way to recycle your VHS tapes is to donate them to Alternative Community Training, an organization that employs people with disabilities.

Water filters

Some people do not like the taste of tap water while others are worried that it contains toxic and potentially harmful levels of various chemicals and minerals. As a result, people often use water filters to drink tap water. This is much better than using bottle after bottle of bottled water, however, filters are made of plastic and should eventually be recycled. It is also possible in some cases, and highly recommended, to purchase reusable filters in order to avoid the need to recycle all together.

Where can I recycle water filters on campus?

There are not currently any water filter recycling options on campus.

Where can I recycle water filters in Chicago?

If your water filter is manufactured by Brita or TerraFlo you can mail your filters directly to the company for recycling or find a nearby drop off location. If your filter is not manufactured by one of these name brands you can empty the charcoal sand into your garden or into the garbage and then bring the #5 plastic container to Whole Foods or another #5 plastic drop off location (all filters are different, so check with the recycler to find out which brands of water filters are accepted).