The College of New Jersey has been continually developing our Recycling Program in an effort to reduce bulk trash and to increase the amount of materials recycled on campus.
Single Stream Recycling
TCNJ is single stream recycling, that means that if you find a blue container you can add your paper AND bottles and cans into the same container for recycling!
Recyclables
There are many different items and materials that can be recycled. Some can be put directly into the blue recycling containers, others require specific steps or drop-off points. View the drop down to learn the details of each item or use the Office Flyer, view the PDF version.
Bottles, cans, and jars
Glass
You can recycle glass bottles, jars, and any glass food or beverage containers.
You can only recycle plastic bottles type 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Look for the universal recycling symbol to find the bottle’s specific number.
Metal cans
Tin, steel, bi-metal, and aluminum cans are all recyclables.
Paper
Corrugated cardboard
All cardboard must be broken down or folded and kept clean and dry.
The “wavy” interior cardboard is also acceptable.
Newspaper
All newspaper must be kept clean and dry.
Mixed paper
All types of mixed paper can be recycled.
- Coated Papers (Magazines, food menus, etc.)
- Mail (Standard and junk mail, paper envelopes)
- Paper (Copy paper, colored paper)
- Phone books
- Paper file folders
Batteries
You can and should recycle all types of batteries. They tend to contain both hazardous and reusable material.
First check if the place you purchased them will take old ones, if not bring them to the Brower Student Center info desk along with an identification card.
Service is limited to the TCNJ community only.
Types of batteries accepted:
- Alkaline Batteries (most common, single use)
- Nickel-Cadmium, NiCd (rechargeable)
- Nickel Metal Hydride, NiMH, or Lithium-Ion (Laptop batteries)
- Button Cell (small round batteries typically used in watches or laser pointers)
- Sealed Lead-Based
Copier and printer ink
Inkjet Cartridges
Ink jet recycling can be brought to the Telecommunications Office in Green Hall Lower Level OR R. Barbara Gitenstein Library, Room 4 – Instructional Design Lab.
You can also check with your place of purchase to see if they accept old cartridges, and some schools may collect these as fundraiser events.
Copier and printer toner
Return to current office supply vendor (Staples). Clearly mark “Recycle” on the box of used toner and the office supply vendor will pick it up when dropping off any new items.
CDs, DVDs, and VHS tapes
Please make sure to destroy all personal content before recycling. They are put into the Technotrash Recycling bins and are accepted at the IT Help Desk in Green Hall.
Cell phones and accessories
Do not throw into the trash.
Contact Amanda Radosti at radosti@tcnj.edu to request a display box for your area.
Check with your cell phone provider to see if they accept old cell phones.
Avoid Contaminating Recyclables That Are Trash:
When non-recyclable materials get mixed in (such as pizza boxes or food waste) they are then considered contaminated, and the whole bin gets removed into the trash.
Avoid containing the recycling by emptying liquids out of bottles and cans prior to recycling (soda cans, water bottles, sports drinks, etc.) and not placing garbage (paper towels, gum wrappers, etc.) inside recycling containers or bottles that are being recycled.
Always remember, when in doubt, throw it out!
Common Non-Recyclables That Are Trash:
- Anything contaminated by food
- Paper coffee cups
- Pizza boxes
- Food paper plates
- Paper towels
- Pyrex Glass