Below is a list of recycling waste receptacles that are managed by Sustainability Services. If there is a waste receptacle that is not listed below but you have questions about, please contact the Grounds and Automotive department at tbramble@pugetsound.edu. If you have questions about the recycling system on campus, please email us at recycling@pugetsound.edu.

You can also search where an item should be disposed of by using the City of Tacoma’s “What Goes Where?” search feature.

Note: This guideline is specific to our on-campus recycling operations. For off-campus recycling guidelines, visit www.tacomarecycles.org.

Recycling Toter
Recycling Toters
Academic buildings

Curbside recyclable items (i.e. cardboard, cans, paper, empty plastic soda bottles (no caps) clean milk cartons), no food! Check tacomarecycles.org for list of recyclable items.

Slim recycling bin
Slim Bins
Residential halls

Curbside recyclable items (i.e. cardboard, cans, paper, empty plastic soda bottles (no caps), no food! Check tacomarecycles.org for list of recyclable items.

Outdoor recycling bin
Outdoor Recycling Bins
Outside the Collins Memorial Library, in Karlin Quad (on the path between Jones and Music), and by the Rotunda

Curbside recyclable items (i.e. cardboard, cans, paper, empty plastic soda bottles (no caps), no food! Check tacomarecycles.org for list of recyclable items.

Glass and e-waste recycling bin
Glass & E-Waste Bins
Residential halls and academic buildings

Clean glass bottles and jars only. No lab glass or broken glass.

Green food waste gin
Food Waste Bins
Some residential buildings

Only food waste (i.e. meat, eggs, coffee grounds, flowers, pasta). No paper products or compostable foodware (i.e. paper napkins, cardboard, or compostable cutlery).

Waste Management FAQs

On-campus e-waste can be dropped off at the Technology Services Service desk in the basement of Collins Memorial Library. For multiple items or very large or bulky items, please call service desk at x8585 to ensure there is space to receive them.

On-campus books are recycled via Better World Books. If you are a faculty or staff member and have a significant amount of books, please contact us at recycling@pugetsound.edu for assistance. For personal books, you are encouraged donate to neighborhood Little Free Libraries, other donation centers, or sell-back services like Half Price Books. Books should not be placed in recycling toters without prior approval from Sustainability Services.

Batteries should never be put in campus trash or recycling containers. We have four drop off sites on campus for batteries: 

  1. at the Technology Services desk (Library Basement) 
  2. near the Mailroom (Wheelock Student Center) 
  3. copy area in ground floor of Jones
  4. on the East side of Thompson Hall, 1st floor. 

Lithium or rechargeable batteries should have both top and bottom taped over to prevent battery fires.

  • Paper towels
  • Pizza boxes
  • Cafe cups
  • Frozen food boxes
  • Nut milk cartons