The details on recycling at UT Southwestern

Going green? You’re either a champion recycler, or an alien (hopefully the first one).

This Earth Week and beyond, remember sustainability activities that help keep our campus beautiful and healthy.

In 2018, UT Southwestern (minus University Hospitals) recycled 493.5 tons of material. Employees in the Bass Administrative Center recycled 13.26% of their waste, South Campus recycled 8.4%, West Campus recycled 8.86%, North Campus recycled 12.21%, and East Campus recycled 15%. University Hospitals generated 127 tons of recyclable material.

Blue bins are your friend

You might see a few blue bins in your area – community-sized (larger) bins in common areas and break rooms (example pictured), and smaller bins at your individual workspace. Take a moment to find your nearest larger blue recycling bin. Our current custodial contract allows for emptying of these larger bins, not the smaller ones – so be sure to empty your smaller bin into a larger one at your convenience.

• What can go in them? Standard recycling: paper, envelopes, cardboard, chipboard, plastic bottles, rigid plastic, plastic food containers, aluminum cans, and metal cans. 
• What cannot go in them? Paper towels, Styrofoam, plastic utensils, plastic bags, candy and food wrappers, anything contaminated with food.
• Need to get a blue bin? Order one through Procurement Portal Punch Out. Business Solutions offers recycling bins in multiple sizes and price ranges: 6-7 gallon desk side bins as well as community-sized units.

Got something a little weirder to recycle? Batteries, pallets, books, lightbulbs? Check out the Recycling page on MyUTSW.

Contact Sustainability

Any other questions? greenchampions@utsouthwestern.edu, or contact UT Southwestern’s Sustainability Coordinator, Thea Junt.