Recycling is picked up on a regular basis by Custodial (indoor bins) and Grounds (outdoor bins) staff.
Special requests for recycling or compost pickups can be sent to: recycle@smc.edu
Q: How do I recycle electronics?
A: Email purchasing@smc.edu & put "Surplus/Obsolete Equipment" in the subject line. Also, make sure to label items as E-waste. Note: These requests are specifically for faculty and staff only.
Q: How do I dispose of cardboard boxes?
A: Email recycle@smc.edu with pickup requests. Please make sure all boxes are broken down and stacked neatly.
To throw a Zero Waste event, follow these tips:
- Let food vendor(s) know you would like their help in minimizing waste
- When ordering food, try to choose finger foods, to eliminate the need for utensils and plates
- Ask vendor to provide only “marine-compostable” items (uncoated paper plates, bowls, coffee cups and wooden utensils).
- “Bio-plastics” are not compostable - do not purchase or use them.
- Utensils should only be wooden. Paper plates/bowls should be “uncoated” with no wax liner or foil print, cold drinks should only be in aluminum cans/cups or recyclable plastic (#1)
- Ask the vendor to serve from durable dishes with metal spoons and tongs that can be washed
- Request that all condiments are served in bulk (butter, creamer, sugar, sauces, condiments, etc)
- Ask that linens be provided, folded in a cardboard box to avoid plastic bags and metal hangars.
A few vendors who offer certified compostable and reasonably priced items:
Plates, bowls, hot cups, napkins, ramekins, etc (fiber or paper option):
Utensils (wooden option):
Cold Cups (aluminum or plastic #1 option):
- Target - for aluminum cups
- Smart & Final - #1 plastic cups
Recycling
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Drain liquids before recycling.
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Place paper, cardboard and chipboard boxes in dedicated paper recycling bins to keep clean and dry.
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Flatten cardboard boxes to make room for more.
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No paper coffee cups or lids.
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No foil packaging like chip bags of snack bars.
Compost
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Napkins, paper towels, tissues, coffee grounds, and dirty paper plates and clam shells can all be composted along with unfinished food.
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Only wooden utensils can be composted, not bio-plastic.
- Remove all other contamination before placing items in compost bin.
Shredding shortens paper fibers, reducing the number of times paper can be recycled.
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Only shred sensitive documents. Don't just shred the whole pile.
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For all other paper, recycle normally in paper recycle bins.
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No carbon paper (contamination)
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No plastic (contamination)
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Paperclips & staples are OK
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Tape & labels are OK
