Guide

Below is an alphabetical list of the most common items thrown away on campus as well as the optimal disposal method.

Contamination results in hundreds of tons of recycling and compost being landfilled at Vassar each year. When in doubt, throw it out.

ItemDisposal Method
Aluminum CanRecycle.
Empty completely before placing in bin.
Cardboard BoxesRecycle.
Please break down and stack next to recycling bins when able.
Clean Plastic To-Go ContainerRecycle.
Only if rinsed and/or wiped out; otherwise landfill
Dirty Plastic To-Go ContainerLandfill.
Even a small amount of food waste can contaminate an entire bag of recycling.
FoilLandfill.
Food ScrapsCompost where available.
Baked good, fruits, vegetables
Milk CartonLandfill.
NapkinsCompost.
If available; otherwise, landfill.
ItemDisposal Method
Paper CupsLandfill.
While many of these containers have compostable materials, they are not currently acceptable for our compost program.
Pizza BoxesRecycle.
Ensure they’re clean and free of food waste before recycling, and please stack next to recycling bins.
Plastic BagsLandfill (or reuse).
Vassar currently does not have an on-site bag recycling program.
Plastic BottleRecycle.
Empty completely before placing in bin.
Printer PaperRecycle.
ItemDisposal Method
Shampoo / Body Wash BottlesRecycle.
Rinse thoroughly before recycling.
Soup ContainersLandfill.
While many of these containers have compostable materials, they are not currently acceptable for our compost program.
Tetrapak ContainerLandfill.
Vassar does not have a Tetrapak recycling program
UtensilsLandfill.
While many are made of compostable materials, they are not currently acceptable for our compost program.
Yogurt ContainerLandfill.