Waste
NYU is committed to waste minimization through collection services, and upstream solutions through purchasing and IT sustainability, and programs like the Green Events Standard and Green Workplace Certification.
Review this page for information related to waste management at the NYU New York campuses.
Collection
Mixed Recycling
CLEAN items only. No food or liquids.
Items include:
- Magazines, newspapers, catalogs, white and colored paper (lined, copier, computer)
- Mail and envelopes
- Paper bags
- Wrapping paper
- Cardboard (egg cartons, trays, shoe boxes, tubs, file folders, packaging)
- Clean pizza boxes
- Paper cups
- Corrugated boxes
- Metal cans (soda, soup)
- Aluminum foil
- Metal or plastic caps and lids
- Glass bottles and jars
- Plastic bottles and jugs
- Food containers
- Food and drink cartons
- Aseptic packaging (juice boxes, soup cartons)
NO: wet paper, batteries or electronics, other glass (such as broken glass or lightbulbs), plastic bags and plastic films, styrofoam
Landfill
Items include:
- All food and liquids*
- Styrofoam and Packing peanuts
- Plastic bags and plastic film
- Non-compostable food-soiled items and liquids
*If there is a compost bin available, please place all food, liquids, and food-soiled paper in the Compost bin.
Compost
Compost collection is available in NYU dining halls, the Kimmel Center, and for residents of Washington Square Village and Silver Towers. If you would like to collect food scraps in your apartment or office, you can drop them off at one of the city-wide drop-off sites -- acceptable materials differ from what is listed below.
Items include:
- Coffee grounds, filters, and tea bags
- Compostable cups and cutlery
- All food
- Food-soiled paper
NO: plastics, styrofoam
If there is no compost bin available, please place all food, liquids, and food-soiled items in the Landfill bin.
E-Waste
Please note NYU IT's guidance around proper reuse and disposal of electronic equipment. E-Waste collection is only available in select locations.
Items include:
- Cables
- Toner Cartridges
- Printers and Scanners
- Monitors
- Media Formats: USB Drives, Hard Drives, and Memory (RAM)
- Cell phones and Tablets
- Laptops
NO: batteries, light bulbs, damaged or defective devices, DVDs, CDs, or VHS tapes, medical waste
Additional Resources
- NYU's Environmental Health and Safety - chemical and biological waste
- NYC Sanitation Services and 311 Recycling Rules- city resources and protocols
- donateNYC - food, furniture, books, textiles, and more
- GrowNYC - food scraps drop-off, clothing collection, Stop 'N' Swap events, and more
Request Bin Signage
NYU's recycling team can provide new or additional signage for collection bins. To put in a request for new signage, please complete a Work Request Form.
Please note that E-Waste and Compost bins and signage are only available at select locations.
FAQs
Please note, this information only pertains to New York City.