What Can Be Recycled?

Duke University supports single stream recycling, which means that paper, cardboard, metal, plastic and glass products can be commingled in any recycling bin on campus. Please contain corrugated cardboard boxes separately from traditional recyclables.

Keep all non-recyclables such as food, plastic bags, coffee cups, batteries, hazaradous waste and any other contaminants out of the recycling stream. Remember to empty and rinse all items as appropriate.

Paper

ACCEPTED NOT ACCEPTED
Newspaper Food-soiled paper
Magazines and catalogs Coffee cups
Printer and copy paper Shredded paper
Notebook paper Chinese-style takeout containers
Gable top and aseptic cartons (milk, juice cartons) Ice cream cartons 
Envelopes and folders Plastic bindings and clips
Paper bags Hardcover books
Paperback books 3-ring binders
Post-It notes  
Staples, tape and paperclips  
   

Cardboard

ACCEPTED NOT ACCEPTED
Cardboard boxes (broken down) Food-soiled cardboard
Paper towel and toilet paper rolls Pizza boxes
Boxboard and paperboard (cereal, pasta boxes) Takeout containers
  Spiral tube containers (Pringles, mixed nuts cans)

Metal

ACCEPTED NOT ACCEPTED
Aluminum cans (soda, beer cans) Aluminum foil, trays and pie pans
Steel cans (soup, vegetable cans) Batteries
Aerosol cans (deodorizers, cleaning products) Light bulbs
  Pots, pans and lids

Plastic

ACCEPTED NOT ACCEPTED
Plastic bottles, tubs, jugs and jars Styrofoam products
Caps and lids (leave on container) Plastic bags, wrap and film
  Bulky plastics (baskets, pails, toys)
  Compostable plastics

Glass

ACCEPTED NOT ACCEPTED
Glass bottles and jars (all colors) Laboratory glassware
Lids (leave on container) Broken Glass
  Ceramics
  Mirrors

Questions?

Contact Duke Recycles at 660-1448 or morgan.bachman@duke.edu