Recycling at Tufts is coordinated by Tufts Recycles! Their website is always a great resource, but you can also use the following general guide to recycling at Tufts.

What goes in BLUE Bins?

Mixed Paper

• Magazines
• Newspaper
• Envelopes (plastic windows are OK)
• Paperback books
• Cereal boxes
• Notebooks
• Folders
• White paper
• Colored and glossy paper
• Beverage cartons
• Clean paper hot cups

• All paper is recyclable. Don’t worry about staples, paper clips, spirals, etc.

What goes in GREEN Bins?

Glass, metal, plastic

• All rigid plastics
• Cans (tin, steel, and aluminum)
• Glass bottles
• Clean aluminum foil and trays
• Empty aerosol cans
• Aseptic “drink boxes”
• Juice and milk cartons
• Empty photocopier toner bottles
• Plastic utensils

What goes in the TRASH?

Items that cannot be recycled 

• Wax-coated items or items with food on them, such as:
• Pizza boxes (clean lids can be recycled)
• Paper cups for cold drinks and plates
• Carbon paper
• Plastic bags (though many grocery stores will take them back!)
• Film
• Styrofoam
• “Soft paper” like tissues or napkins (though this can often be composted – see the sidebar at right for more information)

What about Electronic Waste (E-Waste)?

Ever wondered what to do with outdated technology? First things first: it’s hazardous and doesn’t belong in the trash! Computers, monitors, printers, TVs, VCRs, and DVD players should be recycled because they contain mercury, cadmium, chromium and other hazardous metals and materials. Due to lower environmental standards and working conditions in developing nations like China, India, and Kenya, America’s electronic waste is often sent to these countries to be processed, in most cases illegally and without the proper safety precautions. As part of our committment to social and environmental responsibility, Tufts does not send trash overseas.
At the end of the year, residential students can leave old technology, batteries and other electronics in their dorm’s R²ePack box for recycling.

Outdated computers

Try to donate or recycle your old computers before they become totally obsolete. If you wait too long to dispose of your computer, it will no longer be possible for it to be reused. Students and users of home computers should contact the computer manufacturer about their recycling program (Dell, Apple, IBM, and others will recycle your computer for $30 or less including shipping).

Learn more from the EPA’s e-cycling website: http://bit.ly/cjx8oc. For computer recycling in the area, see www.bostoncomputerrecycling.com.

The Tufts Computer Donation Program collects, cleans up and donates Tufts-owned computers that are less than five years old to the Grafton, Boston, and Medford/Somerville communities. Older Tufts-owned computers are recycled via Tufts’ long-standing recycling program. For details, visit http://uit.tufts.edu/?pid=834.

Cell phones, batteries, and ink cartridges

Recycle cell phones on campus. Cell phones and ink-jet cartridges can be added to the battery collection containers for recycling. Tufts Recycles! donates collected phones to MassRecycle.

Almost all batteries (including computer batteries) can be recycled at Tufts, with the exception of liquid and gel acid batteries (e.g. car batteries). Please put a piece of tape over the ends of each battery to prevent a fire hazard.