Clark University Recycling Guidelines
Sustainable Clark recycles all paper, cardboard, aluminum, metal, glass containers and plastics #1-#7.
Not only is recycling good for the environment and the economy, it's actually illegal not to recycle most of these items! Many other things can be donated or recycled. See the reference list below for more information.
Recycling bins for mixed paper and plastic/metal/glass are located throughout the Clark campus in residence halls, academic buildings, administrative offices, and common areas. Faculty and staff offices are provided blue deskside bins for paper and are welcome to designate a box or trash can for recycling plastic/metal/glass.
Please use the recycling bins! It might not always be super-convenient, but you know it's the right thing to do!
The student Recycling Crew picks up recyclables from every campus building once a week during the academic year. If you need an emergency pick-up or have a question about recycling that is not answered in the FAQ's or the Recycling Guidelines below please call the Office of Sustainability at extension #7601.
Clark's Recycling Center, located at 501 Park Avenue, collects and processes campus recycling. It also handles responsible recycling of hazardous materials such as florescent light bulbs; electronic waste such as computers (also called e-waste); bulky metal items such as desks. Disposal of oils, solvents, paints and chemicals is managed according to regulations by Physical Plant staff. Please call Physical Plant at extension #7566 for pick-up of any of these items.
Items Acceptable for Recycling and Donating
| ITEM | INCLUDING | WHERE/HOW |
Paper |
copy paper, office paper, notebook paper, folders, envelopes, mail, magazines, glossy paper, tissue, newspaper, packaging, paper bags, colored paper, sticky notes. If you can rip it, you can recycle it! |
bins marked 'Paper' throughout campus paper clips, staples OK |
Cardboard |
boxes, corrugated cardboard, paperboard (thin cardboard like cereal boxes),milk and juice cartons, packaging, liners, pizza boxes, tubes (like inside paper towels), egg cartons |
place next to 'Paper' recycling bins remove inner plastic liners from boxes please flatten boxes |
Metal |
aluminum cans, soda cans, steel cans (like soup cans), tin foil, foil containers, lids, anything made of metal or with metal parts |
bins marked 'Plastic, Metal, Glass' OR 'Bottles' throughout campus Please empty and rinse out cans! |
Glass |
bottles, jars |
bins marked 'Plastic, Metal, Glass' OR 'Bottles' throughout campus Please empty and rinse out jars! |
plastics #1 - #7 |
bottles, jars, yogurt cups, food containers, to-go containers, plastic cups, straws, lids, milk jugs, blister packaging, coffee lids, detergent bottles, toothpaste and cosmetics tubes, utensils, anything made of stiff plastic |
bins marked 'Plastic, Metal, Glass' OR 'Bottles' throughout campus Please empty and rinse out containers! |
Batteries |
dry cell, alkaline AA, AAA, C, D; 9-volt, cell phone, computer, game, watch, lithium, rechargeable, ni-cad |
blue barrel in University Center |
Books |
all books: textbooks, reference books, fiction, non-fiction, workbooks, manuals, books on tape |
donate to Better World Books and Goddard Library book sale donation boxes in Academic Commons and University Center |
Clothing, Personal and Home Goods |
clothing, shoes, games, small appliances, toys, accessories, lamps, jewelry, linens, cooking stuff, china, glassware, art, books, music, school supplies, sports equipment, knick-knacks |
donate to Clark Community Thrift Store during business hours across from campus on Main St. OR in donation boxes during 'Clark Collection' drives |
office and school supplies |
binders, folders, tape, staplers, organizers |
use ClarkYou Marketplace to post and share your extra supplies OR donate to Clark Community Thrift Store during business hours |
plastic bags |
shopping bags (why not use a cloth bag instead?) |
Clark Community Thrift Store can always use bags OR take to any local supermarket |
Florescent Light Bulbs |
tubes, ballasts, CFLs |
call x7566 for pick-up |
Electronic Waste |
Clark-owned computers, office machines and electronic items privately owned computers and electronics electric items including small appliances, lamps, coffee pots |
call ITS for possible re-use OR call x7566 for pick-up call x 7566 for pick-up; $5 fee OR donate to Clark Community Thrift Store |
wireless and digital devices |
cell phones, iPods, MP3s, digital cameras, PDA, palm pilot, game consoles, chargers, other devices—broken, outdated or working |
Recycling for Charities provides free shipping; donation benefits charity of your choice |
Toner Cartridges |
from copiers |
use manufacturer's pre-paid package to return bring to Office of Sustainability or take to office supply store |
Ink jet Cartridges |
from printers |
use pre-paid envelope available from Office of Sustainability x7601 |
CDs |
music, data, files, instructional, blank |
CD Recycling Center
provides free shipping |
Tyvek Envelopes |
cannot rip them |
Tyvek for info |
packing peanuts |
styrofoam packaging |
bring to the UPS Store, 210 Park Ave, Worcester |
bubble wrap |
plastic packaging |
bring to the UPS Store, 210 Park Ave, Worcester |
furniture, bulky goods |
Clark-owned office furniture personally owned furniture |
call x #7566 for pick-up donate to Clark Community Thrift Store during business hours |
hazardous liquids |
paint, oil, solvent, glue, chemicals |
call Physical Plant x7566 to pick up |
TVs |
cathode ray tube (CRT), console, projection |
search on Earth911.com |
other items |
|
MassRecycle |
Please keep recycling categories separate!
Plastic, metal and glass do not go in 'Paper' recycling bins.
Paper and cardboard do not go in 'Plastic/Metal/Glass' recycling bins.
Unacceptable for Recycling at Clark University
Please DO NOT put the items listed below into Clark University Recycling Bins! They are considered 'contamination' – if more than 10% of total contents is 'contaminated' an entire bin of perfectly good recycling turns into worthless trash. Instead, place them in a trash can. They are the only items that go in a trash can. There are surprisingly few!
Unacceptable in 'Paper' Recycle Bin
Used paper towels, used facial tissues, foil-lined paper, sippy boxes, used paper coffee cups, greasy paper, food-encrusted paper, food itself.
Unacceptable in 'Plastic/Metal/Glass' Recycle Bin
Plastic bags such as chip bags, candy wrappers, plastic box liners; plastic wrap (Saran wrap), any soft plastic you can scrunch in one hand; Styrofoam cups, plates and packaging, containers with food or liquids in them, food itself, foam wrapping, broken glass, light bulbs, sharps (needles), aerosol spray cans. Empty all containers!