Waste reduction and management
VCU is committed to increasing the amount of waste we divert from the landfill. Currently, VCU diverts 25 percent of our waste from the landfill through various reducing, reusing and recycling methods. As a university, we are dedicated to increasing our diversion rate by three percent each calendar year. To achieve this goal, we need your help to reduce, reuse and then recycle.
Recycling
VCU Sustainability worked with VCU Facilities Operations to centralize the collection of both recyclable and non-recyclable waste by locating recycling and trash containers in public areas throughout the university. The units have ensured the proper placement and number of containers for recycling and waste to provide convenient and efficient collection.
Download and post the Recycling and Waste Signage [PDF] in common areas of your workspace.
Recycling on campus
VCU utilizes a single stream recycling program meaning that all recyclable material can be placed in the same recycling bin. Recycling bins are located throughout campus and are marked with signage (see below) indicating the types of materials that can be recycled including the items listed below. Other items should be placed in waste bins.
- Paper (e.g., newspaper, copy paper, magazines and posters)
- Plastics #1-7 (e.g., cups, jugs, bottles and food packaging labeled with the recycling icon and #1-7)
- Plastic bags and packaging should not be recycled in these bins – they can clog recycling machinery. However, plastic bags with the recycling icon can be recycled at many grocery and large retail stores.
- Metal (e.g., soda/soup cans and aluminum foil)
- Cardboard (e.g., unsoiled pizza boxes, cereal boxes, boxes, and paper towel and toilet paper rolls)
Recyclable materials that contained food should be rinsed before recycling to avoid contaminating the recyclable materials. If food contamination cannot be removed from an item (e.g., pizza box with grease), it should be placed in the waste bin.
Recycling bins and service for current bins can be requested via the Facilities Self Service.
Recycling in residence halls
Recycling and waste bins are provided in common areas of VCU residence halls. These bins are marked with signage indicating what should and should not be disposed of in recycling bins and waste bins. Also, look for the signage below in these areas, which includes information about recycling other items.
Recycling resources
VCU Free Store
Donate reusable items in good condition to the VCU Free Store for other VCU students and employees to take for free. Visit the Free Store page for more information.
E-cycling
Donate used electronics that are no longer needed. Resident advisors and residence hall directors can provide information about e-cycling on campus.
Local donation stores
Donate unwanted clothing, home decor and other items to local donation stores.
Other recyclable items
- Employees with recyclable batteries, light bulbs or small, non-working electronics can contact their building manager to recycle these items. A list of building managers and contact information can be found on the VCU Facilities Management building managers web page.
- Used printer cartridges can be recycled by placing them in the original box so the vendor can pick them up when dropping off new orders.
- VCU General Services' reuse program invites VCU schools and departments to donate and acquire gently-used items (e.g., furniture, computers and laboratory equipment). For more information, visit the General Services page.
Waste management
Non-recyclable items should be placed in waste bins located throughout campus. Many of these bins are marked with the signage displayed below. Custodial staff empties waste bins in common areas (e.g., kitchens, break rooms, hallways, restrooms, lobbies and copy rooms) each day. Trash receptacles in individual offices will not be emptied.
