Recycling at NIU
Recycling is an important part of NIU’s long-term goal of achieving a waste diversion rate of 100% (zero waste). The university uses commingled, or single-stream, recycling for paper, plastics, glass and metal. You can put acceptable items made of these materials in the general recycling bins located throughout campus. There are other procedures for recycling other items used on campus, like batteries and lightbulbs.
Recycle Right
Recycling facilities aren’t set up to process non-recyclable items. If a non-recyclable item gets in a recycling bin, it contaminates the rest of the materials. Often, this means the entire contents of the bin ends up in the trash. Follow these tips to recycle right and keep waste out of the landfill:
- Recycle clean bottles, cans, paper and cardboard.
- Keep food and liquid out of recycling bins.
- Do not include loose plastic bags or bagged recyclables.
Resources:
Community Recycling Bin
If you don’t have access to campus recycling, you can use the community recycling bin. The bin is available for anyone to use at any time. It’s located off Lincoln Highway on the west side of Stadium Drive, in a turnabout area west of the Dorland Building.
General Recycling
Plastics
Plastics come in many varieties and are labeled with a number from 1-7. You can put plastics numbered 1-5 or 7, as well as those with a recycling symbol, in general recycling bins on campus.
Acceptable:
- Bottles labeled number 1 or 2
- Juice boxes
- Six-pack and 12-pack rings
Not acceptable:
- Hard plastic caps
- Plastic wrap/packaging
- Plastic bags (can be recycled at some local stores)
- Styrofoam
Paper
You can put paper in general recycling bins on campus. There are also some bins specifically for paper. Make sure paper is clean, dry and free of plastic or other materials before recycling (staples are acceptable).
Campus recycling does not accept shredded paper. Departments can sign up for shredding services through Building Maintenance and Operations.
Acceptable:
- Books, including phone books (if hardcover, remove cover)
- Cardboard (must be flattened)
- Corrugated paper cartons
- Envelopes (open window, labeled, inter-office)
- Junk mail
- Newspapers and magazines
- Notebooks
- Office paper (white, colored, ledger, glossy, carbonless/NCR)
- Post-it Notes
Not acceptable:
- Carbon paper
- Paper cups
- Used facial tissue/paper towels
- Wax paper/cartons
Glass
You can put empty, clean glass bottles, containers, etc. in general recycling bins on campus.
Acceptable:
- Clear glass
- Tinted glass
- Green, brown or other colored glass
Not acceptable:
- Broken glass (for safety reasons)
- Ceramics
- Cookware
- Lightbulbs
- Pyrex glass
- Window glass
Aluminum and Other Metals
You can put empty, clean aluminum beverage containers in general recycling bins on campus. Other types of aluminum are acceptable if they have a recycling symbol and fit in a bin.
For other types of metal, read about scrap metal recycling at NIU.
Acceptable:
- Aluminum foil
- Beverage cans
- Disposable baking pans
- Food cans and lids
- Staples and paper clips
Not acceptable:
- Dirty aluminum foil
- Steel pieces or other metals
Specialized Recycling
It’s illegal to dump electronics in Illinois landfills. Recycling electronics conserves valuable resources and keeps harmful chemicals out of the environment.
NIU collects e-waste generated by university departments and recycles it in accordance with state regulations. You can bring unwanted electronics to Shipping and Receiving, located near Campus Mail.
For other e-waste, DeKalb residents can use collection services provided by Lake Shore Recycling Systems.
NIU collects batteries used on campus and recycles them using approved vendors. You can put used batteries in the containers labeled “batteries only” at the following locations:
- Barsema Hall
- BSW area (at the dock door)
- Campus Life (room 220)
- Dorland Building mail room
- Faraday Hall (chemical stock room, room 202 or second floor bridge)
- Health Services (room 210)
- Human Resources (reception desk)
- Monat Building
- Montgomery Hall (room 325)
- Physical Plant
- Recreation Center
- Swen Parson Hall (room B12)
- Zulauf Hall (room 114)
You can also mail batteries for recycling. Request an envelope from Campus Mail. After covering the ends of each battery with clear tape (to prevent accidental discharge), mail them to Campus Mail/Recycle.
If you have any questions, contact David Mannia at 815-753-2383 or dmannia@niu.edu.
Fluorescent lightbulbs contain mercury, which is harmful to people and the environment. Properly recycling lightbulbs helps keep harmful chemicals out of groundwater.
NIU recycles lightbulbs used on campus, including those from residence halls. Old lightbulbs are collected by Building Services employees and electricians, then prepared and shipped to a recycling vendor.
Other lightbulbs can be brought to stores such as Lowe’s for recycling.
If you have any questions, contact David Mannia at 815-753-2383 or dmannia@niu.edu.
NIU collects and recycles Ricoh cartridges used on campus. Put the cartridge in a sealed, clear plastic bag and bring or mail it to Campus Mail/Recycle.
For other cartridges, follow the recycling information on the manufacturer’s website. Most will allow you to send cartridges back for free and will provide a shipping label for that purpose. Print out the label, put it on a box and bring it to Campus Mail. If the box doesn’t have a label, it will be thrown out.
You can also bring cartridges to local stores such as Target for recycling.
If you have any questions, contact Stefanie Zimmerman at 815-753-6286 or szimmer2@niu.edu.