What Goes in the Bins?
- Food waste stream accepts FOOD WASTE ONLY. (No containers, cutlery, or packaging of any kind)
- Food scraps (anything edible, bones, stems, eggshells)
- Coffee grounds and tea bags
That’s it! This bin is for food waste only.
- Empty UMass to-go dining containers are RECYCLABLE (it doesn't have to be clean, just empty. It it isn't empty, it's trash)
- Cardboard - Shipping boxes, cereal boxes, egg cartons, paper towel and toilet paper rolls (no waxy coatings, or boxes meant for the refrigerator or freezer)
- Paper - Office paper, newspaper, paper bags, magazines, junk mail (staples and envelope windows are OK. No books please)
- Plastic Bottles, Jugs, Tubs, & Lids - plastic drink bottles, milk jugs, yogurt cups, tubs and lids, shampoo bottles, etc. (put the caps back on so they won’t slip through the cracks in the equipment)
- Metal Cans - Soda and beer cans, soup and vegetable cans, foil
- Glass Bottles & Jars - beer bottles, other beverage bottles, pickle jars (no pyrex, ceramics, or window glass)
(Trash)
- Plastic bags and film
- Boxes meant for the refrigerator or freezer
- Utensils
- Non-recyclable containers (black plastic, paper or compostable take-out containers)
- Anything else that isn’t food waste or can’t be recycled
No food waste bin? Food waste should then be put in trash.
Other Items
- Liquids – always dump liquids out before placing items in any bin.
- Clothing and Textiles – bring these to the Bay State Textiles bin (located behind Hampden and next to Brooks hall).
- Electronic Waste – bring your e-waste to the library or your Residential Service Desk.
To test your knowledge of current campus waste guidelines, visit the UMass Waste Quiz
Interested in how our waste system is connected to climate change? Watch "Waste Not Warm Not" below...
