Recycling Guide
What can be recycled?
In general, paper, cans, cardboard and plastics can be recycled. Refer to the recycling guide above for a specific list of what can and cannot be recycled at SDSU. It is important to only place recyclable items into the recycling bin, as this ensures that the material is recycled and is of high quality.*
Where do I put recycling?
SDSU uses a single stream recycling system which means all recycling (cans, paper, plastic, etc.) goes into one bin and does not need to be sorted.** All recycling bins are blue for easy identification.
Can plastic bags be recycled?
Due to regional recycling industry standards, plastic bags are not recyclable.
*Placing non-recyclable items into the recycling bin not only affects the quality of the recycling, but can also impact the entire recycling process by damaging machinery and hurting employees. In some cases, too much trash in a recycling bin can cause that entire bin's contents to be taken to the landfill instead of being recycled.
**There are exceptions to this rule! Please follow the SDSU Recycling Guide for what can be placed in the single stream recycling bins. Other items may be able to be recycled but must be handled separately.
While all recyclable items can go into the single stream recycling bins**, certain items are managed separately when collected in large quantities. This increases efficiency of the recycling process when it leaves campus.
Shredded Paper
Shredded paper must be bagged in one of the above mentioned mail bags or in a plastic bag. Do not mix shredded paper with sheets of paper.
To request a mail bag or have one emptied please place a work order with Facilities and Services at 605-699-4136.
For information on the Shred-It Program, which collects confidential paper for shredding, please contact the Office of Finance and Budget at 605-688-4920.
Corrugated Cardboard
Cardboard specific bins and dumpsters are for corrugated cardboard only and are in select locations. Please remove all packaging (bubble wrap, Styrofoam, etc.) and flatten the box before recycling.
**Exceptions to the rule
**There are exceptions to this rule! Please follow the SDSU Recycling Guide for what can be placed in the single stream recycling bins. Other specialty items may be able to be recycled but must be handled separately.
Items in this section should not be placed in the blue single stream recycling bins. Please read instructions on where to properly recycle each item.
Unless otherwise noted, the resources below are for SDSU property only.
Batteries
- Accepted: NiCd, lead acid and rechargeable batteries
- Not Accepted: Alkaline (i.e. AA, AAA, D)
- Contact Environmental Health and Safety at 605-688-4264
Books
- Students
- Drop off bins are located in Bailey Rotunda Breezeway year-round and in the University Student Union the last four weeks of each semester.
- Faculty and Departments
- Once you collect books that you are ready to give away, follow these steps:
- STEP 1: Contact Hilton M. Briggs Library to see if any material could be added to the library collection. The University Archives may be interested in any materials written by SDSU faculty, staff or alumni, such as reports, lectures, books, etc. Accepted materials will be picked up by the library staff.
- For general materials, please contact the Acquisitions Unit at 605-688-5563.
- For archival materials, please contact Archives and Special Collections at 605-688-5094.
- Guidelines for Departmental Records and Guidelines for Faculty Donations
- STEP 2: If Briggs Library does not accept the materials, there are two options:
- Several organizations collect used books to support various programs. Individuals are able to donate books by shipping books to a designated location. A couple of examples include and .
- Books can also be placed in campus recycling bins. Tear off all hard covers and remove any spiral binding (metal, plastic, etc.) prior to disposal. Please contact Facilities and Services at 605-688-4136 if extra bins are needed for collection or to schedule a special pick up.
Chemicals
- Contact Environmental Health and Safety at 605-688-4264
Electronics
- Accepted: SDSU computers, printers, phones, scanners and other electronics
- Contact Property Management at 605-688-6657
- If an item is not accepted by Property Management, contact Environmental Health and Safety at 605-688-4264
Ink and Toner Cartridges
- Accepted: All types and brands of ink and toner cartridges.
- Drop-off locations are in Bailey Rotunda Breezeway, IT Support Desk (Morrill #131) and the Print Lab (Yeager).
Oil
- Accepted: All types including pump oil and car oil
- Contact Environmental Health and Safety at 605-688-4264
Paints
- Accepted: Oil and latex
- Contact Environmental Health and Safety at 605-688-4264
Scrap Metal
- Contact Facilities and Services at 605-688-4136
Surplus Property (State Supply Only)
- Contact Property Management at 605-688-6657
Wood and Pallets
- Contact Facilities and Services at 605-688-4136
It's simple! Bins and dumpsters are color coded as follows: blue for recycling and yellow for trash.
Recycling (Blue)
Add photos from /sustainability/old-bins-dumpsters
Trash (Yellow)
Add photos from /sustainability/old-bins-dumpsters
Recycling Rooms
The following buildings have recycling rooms in addition to the standard recycling bins. Please follow room signage for correct placement of recyclable items.
Contact Facilities and Services (688-4136) when the room needs to be emptied.
- Alfred Dairy Science (room 150 - due to limited space, all cardboard should be placed directly in the dumpster outside and not collected in this room)
- Chicoine Architecture, Math and Engineering (room 120)
- Daktronics Engineering (room 157)
- McFadden Biostress (room 133)
- Performing Arts Center (room 159)
- Raven Precision Agriculture (room 170)
- Wagner (room 245)
