Waste reduction
Waste Reduction at Elon
Elon has a goal waste reduction goal of 50% landfill diversion by 2030. Currently about 24% of the solid waste stream is recycled or composted. Elon’s Waste Reduction Master Plan includes a variety of recommendations and strategies to achieve 50% landfill diversion by 2030.
All trash, recycling and composting is managed by Environmental Services.
Learn more about waste reduction programs.
Recycling at Elon
Elon’s recycling program began in the late 1980s as a student initiative and is now managed by Environmental Services. Elon has single-stream recycling, which means all recyclables go in the same bin: glass (all types), plastic (except thin plastics), paper (all types) and metal (aluminum, steel, tin) cans. Small plastic items (smaller than 2 inches square, such as silverware) should not be placed in recycling bins. Thin plastics, such as plastic bags (grocery and sandwich), can be placed in designated bins located in each neighborhood office as well as the Moseley Center. Cardboard is recyclable and should be broken down and placed next to a recycling bin. The university also has recycling bins available for household batteries, small electronics, printer cartridges, and writing instruments. Learn more about the recycling process at Elon.
Students, faculty and staff are also able to recycle textiles, such as clothes and shoes, in designated bins located in the Moseley Center as well as each neighborhood office.
Paper, Plastic, Metal, and Glass
Plastics (except thin plastics and small plastic items less than 2 inches square), glass (all colors), metals (aluminum, steel, tin) and all types of paper (newspaper, magazines, office paper of any color, sticky notes, envelopes with plastic windows, paperboard, etc.) can be recycled in the same bin.
Bin Location: Bins are located near trash cans in classrooms, hallways, offices, lounges, common spaces, outdoor campus locations and trash/recycling rooms of residence halls.
Thin Plastics
Thin plastics, such as grocery bags, food storage bags, produce bags, plastic air pillows, bubble wrap, paper towel and bathroom tissue wrap, and case wrap (used to wrap water bottles, etc…) can be recycled in the same bin.
Bin Locations: Bins are located in the Moseley Center, as well as each neighborhood office.
Cardboard
To recycle cardboard, break it down flat and put it next to any recycling bin inside a building, preferably in offices and trash/recycling rooms.
Bin Location: Everywhere there is a blue recycling bin.
Printer and Toner Cartridges
Inkjet cartridges: Cartridges may be deposited in collection bins specifically labeled for printer toners/cartridges. For large cartridges, call Facilities Management (336) 278-5500 to request they be picked up.
Laserjet cartridges purchased from Laser Consultants: Return empty cartridges to Purchasing CB 2950.
Laserjet cartridges from Office Depot or other vendors: Some vendors offer a buy-back or take-back option. Contact your vendor for details. Typically a new cartridge is shipped with a label or pre-printed envelope for returning the empty cartridge. If your vendor does not have a take-back option, deposit empty cartridges in a collection bin.
Canon printers/copiers: See the Technology Knowledge Base for how to recycle empty toners.
Bin Locations – inkjet and laserjet cartridges: bins located in Moseley Center: Student Involvement Office and near the mail room; Johnston Hall 2nd floor copy room; McMichael near office 102; Oaks McCoy Commons 1st floor; Mooney 1st floor copy room; Gerald L. Francis Center student lounge; School of Law upper stack copy room; laundry or trash rooms in residential neighborhoods.
Household Batteries
Bin Locations: Belk Library main stairwell; McEwen Communications main floor near elevator; Center for the Arts 1st floor near elevator; Moseley Center near the mail room; Johnston Hall 2nd floor copy room; Whitley office area; Gerald L. Francis Center student lounge; Arts West 102 lounge; Colonnades E; The School of Law upper stack stairwell.
Small Electronics (cell phones, CDs, DVDs, cords, etc.)
Many electronics are banned from the landfill in North Carolina. Large, university-owned electronics can be recycled by contacting Facilities Management, (336) 278-5500.
Small electronics such as: cell phones, digital cameras, MP3 players, computer speakers, hard drives, CDs, DVDs, CD/DVD drives, disks, headsets, cords, cables and chargers can be recycled in grey collection bins located throughout campus.
Bin Locations: Belk Library main stairwell; McEwen Communications main floor elevator; Johnston Hall 2nd floor copy room; Koury Business Center main stairwell; Janice Ratliff Building lobby; School of Law upper stack stairwell.
Writing Instruments (pens, pencils, and markers)
Used writing instruments may be recycled in the container located in Belk Library’s main stairwell. Recyclable writing instruments include pens, pencils, mechanical pencils, markers, highlighters, sharpies and dry erase markers.
Textiles
Textiles include: clothes, shoes, and any item made from cloth or an artificial fabric like vinyl. Any textile item, even if it is worn, torn, or stained, can be recycled.
Bin Locations: the Moseley Center and each neighborhood office
Recycling FAQs
What should I do with pizza boxes?
If the box is free of grease stains and food residue, recycle the box. If the pizza box has food residue and grease stains, compost it.
Do I have to wash an item before putting it in a recycle bin?
No, but removing as much beverage or food residue before recycling an item helps ensure all items, particularly paper, remain viable for recycling.
What do the numbers inside the arrows mean on plastics?
These numbers indicate the type of plastic used to make the object; it is not an indication that the item is recyclable. Learn more about the numbers used on plastic bottles.
Composting at Elon
Yard and food waste are collected and composted. When biodegradable materials are composted they are processed into a material that can be used as a soil amendment. Conversely, when biodegradable materials are placed in landfills they do not break down in the same manner and do not result in a useful product.
Yard Waste Composting
In fall 2008, Elon began collecting and composting its own yard waste in a facility located on the edge of campus. The facility closes the loop on the University’s yard waste as the final compost product is used in campus landscaping to improve soil quality and reduce water and fertilizer requirements.
Food and Biodegradable Serviceware Composting
All food waste and compostable food containers that are collected are composted in a commercial facility off-campus. Compostable serviceware is designated with the word “compostable” somewhere on the item.
What can I compost at Elon?
All food scraps (meat, bones, dairy, fruit peels, coffee grinds, etc) and serviceware labeled as compostable can be placed in compost bins on campus.
Where can I dispose of my compostables?
Dining Facilities
Customers with leftover food or compostable to-go containers can dispose of items in the compost bins located at Winter Garden, Fountain Market and Acorn Coffee, and Steepd. All dining facilities collect food scraps ‘behind the scenes’ for compost. This includes leftover food that cannot be donated to Campus Kitchen and food scraps left on plates.
Athletic Events
Many athletic events have ‘Mind the Bin’ stations. Compostable items can be placed in the orange bin.
Special Events
As of October 1, 2015 Mill Point Catering is using compostable serviceware as their default. Due to this change, event organizers utilizing Mill Point Catering no longer need to request compost bins. They should be automatically provided. If the bins are not provided call Facilities Management (336-278-5500) to get one immediately and report the issue to Catering.
Composting FAQs
Why can I compost some of the plastic looking cups and utensils used on campus?
Though some cold cups and silverware may look like plastic they are actually made from plant materials, not oil-based plastic so it is safe to compost them. You’ll be able to spot compostable serviceware because it will say “compostable” somewhere on the item.
Are meat, dairy, citrus and bones allowed in the compost?
Yes. Though not a good idea for a backyard system, these items break down just fine in a commercial facility.
What type of serviceware can I buy in a pinch if I am hosting an event?
Typical grocery stores carry paper plates and bowls that are compostable. Some are labeled as such, but as long as they are paper based and do not have a waxy coating they should be OK to compost. If you are hosting an approved, non-catered event with food for fewer than 50 people, talk to your neighborhood’s Eco-Rep about having compostables provided.
Waste Reduction Programs
Mind the Bin
This is a campaign to put waste items in the correct bin so only trash, not recyclables or compostables, goes to the landfill. Bins for compost, recycling and trash are color-coded, labeled and are conveniently located next to each other in a single ‘Mind the Bin’ station. The Elon University Department of Athletics partnered with Environmental Services and the Office of Sustainability to provide ‘Mind the Bin’ stations at some athletic events and select campus locations.
Don’t Trash It!
The Don’t Trash It! campaign runs at the end of the school year and is managed by Environmental Services. It provides collection points for gently used items that would otherwise be thrown away. Various items, such as gently used furniture, working appliances, small house wares, lamps, electronics, usable clothing and non-perishable, un-opened food items are collected in designated locations. Once collected, items are donated to local non-profit organizations. Don’t Trash It! is made possible by multiple campus and community partners. Campus partners include the Kernodle Center for Civic Life, Residence Life, Environmental Services and the Office of Sustainability.