The University of Washington: Facilities Services

UW Recycling and UW Solid Waste

Bagits & Bagit Stations

In most offices and labs, recyclable office paper is collected in "bagits".

  • Bagits are reusable polypropylene bags that close with a drawstring and have a handle on the bottom.
  • Bagits are 15" wide by 30" high and are held open on plastic frames which hold one or two bagits as shown below:

photo of 3 bagits
photo of two bagits

  • Acquire bagit stands and bagits:
    • If the new station is in a student/public area, UW Recycling pays for the bagit frames and bagits.
    • If the new station is in a faculty/staff area, departments purchase the bagit frames, which are available inexpensively through UW Recycling. UW Recycling pays for the bagits.
    • If the new station is in Athletics, Housing and Food Services, Student and Union, or other self-sustaining facility, the department pays for bagit frames and initial bagits.
    • For new buildings, all containers are paid for out of the capital improvements budget.
  • To purchase bagit frames from UW Recycling, send an email to recycle@u.washington.edu. Include the following information in your email: type and number of stands (single or double) needed, budget number if applicable, and delivery location.
  • When the bagit stands are in place, contact Custodial Services at custserv@u.washington.edu or 206-685-1500 to begin service.
  • Place bagits on their stands in offices, labs, copy rooms, etc. Bagits must not be located in hallways according to Environmental Health and Safety policy and Seattle Fire Department regulations.
  • Sorting the paper into the proper bagit is essential for efficient, effective paper recycling on campus. See Recycling Procedures for examples of papers appropriate for each color of bagit. In general:
    • White bagits are for white paper.
    • Green bagits are for mixed (not white) paper.
    • Blue bagits are for newspaper.
  • Bagit signs list examples of papers appropriate for each color of bagit. Please post the signs to help recyclers put paper into the correct bagit. Contact UW Recycling at recycle@u.washington.edufor signs.
  • If your department is relocating, you must leave in the building any bagit frames or bagits supplied by the Recycling Program. Take any bagit frames or bagits purchased by your department to the new building.