The University of Washington: Facilities Services

UW Recycling and UW Solid Waste

Public Area Bins

In public areas of campus buildings used by students or visitors, there are color-coded metal containers for recyclable materials. There are four types of public area bins. Some locations may not have all four bins.

 

 

 

To avoid contamination of the recyclable material, posters with guidelines for filling public area bins are posted nearby.

Posters are available from UW Recycling. Call 206.685.2811 or email recycle@u.washington.edu.
Old Public Area Bins  
New Public Area Bins

 

 

Blue: newspaper

Inside the blue public area bin is a blue bagit. Place the following in the blue newspaper bin:

  • The Daily, P.I., Times, etc.
  • University Week
  • newspaper inserts
  • time schedules
  • Faculty/Staff Directories

 

Green: mixed paper

 Inside the green public area bin is a green bagit. Place the following in the green mixed-paper bin:

  • colored and white paper
  • flyers
  • sticky notes
  • ream wrappers
  • microfiche wrappers
  • softcover books
  • journals
  • file folders
  • tablet backs
  • all envelopes
  • magazines
  • notebook paper
  • brochures
  • card stock
  • carbonless forms
  • thermal fax paper
  • small amounts of shredded paper
  

Gray: cans and bottles

 Place the following in the gray bin:

  • #1 and #2 plastic
    • remove lids and place lids in trash
    • #2 plastic tubs are OK; no #2 plastic bags
  • glass bottles (all colors)
    • empty bottles
    • remove lids and place lids in trash
  • steel (tin) cans
    • remove lids and place lids in trash
    • rinse can
  • aluminum cans
    • do not crush
  • milk and juice cartons

Do not put the following in the gray bin:

  • plastic cups or cup lids
  • #3 through #7 plastics
  • laboratory glass (see EH&S for disposal guidelines)
  • broken glass
  • ceramic cups
  • mirrors
  • sheets of plastic
  • plastic wrap
  • plastic bags (even #2)
  • plastic dishes or eating utensils
  • trash or other contaminants

 

 

Red: waste

 Place the following in the red waste bin:

  • garbage
  • napkins
  • aluminum foil
  • tissues
  • latte cups
  • waxed paper
  • carbon paper
  • food
  • photographs
  • plastic cups and lids
  • plastic bags
  • plastic wrap
  • plastic-coated paper
  • plastic plates and utensils
  • #3 through #7 plastics