Can I Recycle It?

Below is an alphabetical list of the most common items thrown away on campus as well as the optimal disposal method.

Contamination results in hundreds of tons of recycling and compost being landfilled at Vassar each year. When in doubt, throw it out.

List of Items and Their Disposal Methods

  • Aluminum Can: Recycle. Empty completely before placing in bin.
  • Cardboard Boxes: Recycle. Please break down and stack next to recycling bins when able.
  • “Compostable” To-Go Containers: Landfill. We are transitioning away from “compostable” containers since they are not compatible with our composting program.
  • Foil: Landfill
  • Food Scraps (Baked good, fruits, vegetables, meat, et cetera): Compost where available.
  • Milk Carton: Landfill
  • Napkins: Compost; If available; otherwise, landfill.
  • Paper Cups: Landfill. While many of these containers have compostable materials, they are not currently acceptable for our compost program.
  • Pizza Boxes: Recycle. Ensure they’re clean and free of food waste before recycling, and please stack next to recycling bins.
  • Plastic Bags: Landfill (or reuse). Vassar currently does not have an on-site bag recycling program.
  • Plastic Bottle: Recycle. Empty completely before placing in bin.
  • Plastic To-Go Container (Clean): Recycle. Only if rinsed and/or wiped out; otherwise landfill
  • Plastic To-Go Container (Dirty): Landfill. Even a small amount of food waste can contaminate an entire bag of recycling.
  • Printer Paper: Recycle.
  • Shampoo / Body Wash Bottles: Recycle. Rinse thoroughly before recycling.
  • Soup Containers: Landfill. While many of these containers have compostable materials, they are not currently acceptable for our compost program.
  • Tetrapak Container: Landfill. Vassar does not have a Tetrapak recycling program
  • Utensils: Landfill. While many are made of compostable materials, they are not currently acceptable for our compost program.
  • Yogurt Container: Landfill.