Single-Stream Recycling Initiative
Single-Stream Recycling is a system in which all recyclable materials are placed in the same collection bin labeled "Recycling", instead of being sorted and separated into individual containers.
In order to achieve optimal recycling rates, BGSU has a paired container policy, where recycling & landfill containers are placed side by side; ensuring a user-friendly approach that will help us meet our waste diversion goal.
The goal of the Recycling Program at BGSU is to preserve the environment, educate the BGSU community, and conserve natural resources and energy through sound solid waste management practices, and to provide the BGSU community with the best opportunity to recycle.
Help Us Prevent Contamination
Contamination (placing items that are not recyclable into the recycling container) is the biggest problem facing the BGSU Recycling Program but can be lowered/eliminated with your help. Remember: No one goes through the recycling to remove contamination from the recycling; it is up to you. Recycling loads tainted with excessive contamination are declared trash and taken to the landfill; a losing proposition for everyone, especially the environment.Contamination from non-recyclable items is the number one obstacle for single-stream recycling. Contamination occurs when food waste, left over liquids, or other non-recyclable items are placed into the "Recycling" bin and damage the other content, making it unable to be recycled. Mixing in non-recyclable items jeopardizes the success of the whole program. Therefore, it is very important for each of us to ensure we are placing the appropriate material (that is also appropriately cleaned out) in the correct bin! If you have questions about certain items, please contact us!

All recycable items go into the "Recycling" container

All non-recyclable items go into the "Landfill" container
Accepted Recyclables
All items must be emptied, rinsed, and cleaned of food waste
Cardboard
Examples: Tissue Boxes, Cereal Boxes, Coffee Sleeves, and card board packing boxes.
Large cardboard should be taken to outside orange cardboard dumpsters.
No pizza boxes of any kind or frozen food containers
Paper
Examples: Mixed Office Paper, Envelopes, Cardstock, Butcher Block Paper, Sticky Notes
Construction paper is not accepted. Alos, no paper towels, tissues, food packaging, candy wrapper, etc.
Plastic Bottles
Examples: Bottles and Containers.
Locate the number within the recycling symbol on the bottom of the container , if it is 1 through 7, then it is recyclable.
No cups, no produce containers, lids, or straws of any kind.
No plastic bags, food wrappers, shrink wrap.
Cans
Examples: Aluminum Beverage Cans, Steel Cans
Please empty out and rinse
Glass
Examples: Beverage Bottles and Food Jars
Please empty out and rinse
No mirrors, lightbulbs, lids, or broken glass
Newspaper and Magazines
Examples: Newspaper, Magazines, Phone Books
Non-Recyclables = Landfill
Any item that contains food waste, grease, or leftovers cannot be recycled
Food Containers
Examples: Paper Plates, Styrofoam, Paper Food Holders, Greasy Pizza Boxes
Starbucks pastry bags free of food residue CAN be recycled
Cups
Examples: Single-Use Beverage Cups, Plastic Lids, and Straws of any kind
Napkins
Examples: Napkins, Paper Towels, and Tissues (Kleenex)
Condiment Cups
Examples: Salad Dressing Packets, Condiment Cups, and Ketchup Packets
Food and Wrappers
Examples: Any Food, Chip Bags, Plastic Wrap, Dirty Paper Sub Wraps, Candy Wrappers, and Aluminum Foil
Frequently Asked Questions
Reduce Waste in Landfills
- All materials that go into a landfill stay there for hundreds and even thousands of years before they decompose. Some items that are placed into a landfill will actually never fully decompose. Recycling all the materials that we can helps to conserve the amount of landfill space available in the United States while also decreasing the need to build new or expand current landfills
Create Jobs and Industry
- Recycling products creates a wide array of job opportunities and income for Ohio residents. More than 100,000 jobs in Ohio, which is more than landfills provide, are directly dependent on recycling. The recycling industry also generates over $22 billion in sales a year in Ohio alone.
Save Energy and Resources
- Recycling materials to make them into a new product helps to reduce the invasive processing of natural resources. Creating products from recycled materials also helps to conserve energy because there is no need for labor intensive resource processing and extraction. Using recycled aluminum to create cans saves up to 95% of the energy it costs to create a can from virgin natural resources.
It's the Law
- Forty-Four states, including Ohio, have passed legislation forcing the reduction of waste. BGSU currently falls under these laws, and must continually meet state goals on waste stream reduction. House Bill 592 set a goal of reducing the solid waste stream in Ohio by 25% by 1994. Ohio surpassed the expectations of the bill by reaching the goal in the year 1990. In 1995 the goal was revised to reduce the solid waste stream by 50% and increase the recycling objective to 25% by the year 2000.
Easy! Instead of throwing away your paper, plastics, cans, glass, and cardboard, recycle them! Paper, plastics, cans, and glass are all collected in the same bin labeled “All-in-One”; just find a bin and put it in! It is essential that recyclable items are rinsed out and free of residue to avoid contamination. Cardboard can be flattened and placed in any large orange dumpster located outside buildings across campus. See “What Should I Recycle” tab for more information on what can be recycled. Any other waste should be placed in the bins labeled “Landfill”.
Paper
- Recycle these items in the bins labeled "Recycling = All-in-One":
- Office paper
- Newspaper
- Cardstock
- Butcher Block
- Envelopes
- Phone books
- Magazines/Catalogs
No construction paper
Cans
- Recycle these items in the bins labeled "Recycling = All-in-One":
- Aluminum Cans
- Steel Cans
Please rinse out cans before recycling to avoid food contamination
Plastic
- Recycle these items in the bins labeled "Recycling = All-in-One":
- Plastics #1-7
- Plastic containers, cups, and bottles
No shrink wrap, plastic wrap, or any other plastic film or covering is accepted
Please rinse out materials before recycling to avoid food contamination
Glass
- Recycle these items in the bins labeled "Recycling = All-In-One"
- Glass Bottles
- Glass Jars
Please empty, rinse, and remove all lids to glass containers
Cardboard
- Recycle these items in the bins labeled "Recycling = All-in-One":
- Small cardboard items such as cereal boxes, tissue boxes, etc.
- Small cardboard items such as cereal boxes, tissue boxes, etc.
- Recycle larger pieces of cardboard, such as moving boxes, in the large orange dumpsters labeled "cardboard recycling" outside of most buildings across campus
Please no heavily soiled cardboard boxes, such as pizza boxes.
Batteries
- We have numerous battery and inkjet recycling stations across campus - find the one nearest you!
Scrap Metal
- The BGSU Recycling Program accepts scrap metal such as futon frames for recycling. Arrangements for pick-up of material can be made by contacting the Campus Operations Help Desk (419-372-2251).
Clothes, Shoes, & Electronics
On-Campus
- Paper, newspaper, cans, plastics, glass, and small cardboard items are all accepted in any bin labeled “All-in-One”, located in every building across campus (see What to Recycle tab for more specific information on what is accepted in the recycling bins)
- Large cardboard items can be deposited into large orange dumpsters labeled "cardboard recycling" found throughout campus.
- Batteries and Ink Jet Cartridges can be found at numerous locations through campus
- Scrap Metal should be brought to Campus Operations and notify the BGSU Recycling Program
- For large recyclable items, contact greenbg@bgsu.edu or bring them to Campus Operations to be recycled
Off-Campus
- Off campus students, like all residents of Bowling Green, are encouraged to take their recyclables to the BG Jaycees Recycling Center. The BG Jaycees Recycling Center is open 24 hours and located at 1040 North College Drive, just west of the Wood County Airport. The BG Jaycees Recycling Center can be reached by calling 1 (419) 352-5446.
- Don't throw recyclables in the trash! Recycling stations are placed throughout campus for your convenience!
Updated: 10/04/2021 09:06AM