Recycling, Compost, Landfill - What Goes Where?
This page is designed to simplify waste reduction and recycling at UM-Dearborn. Please remember, these guidelines are specific to UM-Dearborn's Recycling Program. Every recycling program has slightly different rules depending on where you are. If you're curious about the recycling guidelines where you live, visit the Michigan Recycling Directory and type your county or city in the search box.
While we don't have composting options available to the public yet, you can divert food waste from landfill by hosting a Zero Waste Event on campus.
New Recycling Drop-off on Campus!
Students can drop off recyclables from home in the outdoor recycling dumpster across from Parking Lot E3, between IVAS and back of the Mardigian Library. Please review the recycling guidelines carefully before dropping off. Dumpsters are emptied every Tuesday and Friday. If it’s full, please come back after the next pickup to mitigate overfill fees. Do not put plastic bags of any kind in the recycling container.
This is a pilot program, please help us do it right! If you have questions, email us at umd-sustainability.edu.
UM-Dearborn Recycling Guidelines
Paper & Cardboard
- Flattened Cardboard
- Office Paper
- Glossy Paper (like magazines)
- Newspaper
- Softcover Books
- Junk Mail (it's ok to leave small plastic window)
- Clean Pizza Boxes
- Milk, Juice, and Soup Cartons
- Coffee cups
- Waxy paper soda cups
Plastics (must be clean!)
- Plastics numbered 1, 2, 5
- Plastics numbered 4 and 7, EXCLUDING styrofoam/polystyrene products and flimsy plastic/plastic bags
- Plastic Bottles
- Plastic Cups
- CLEAN plastic takeout boxes
Metal
- Aluminum Cans
- Small Steel Lids
- Clean tin foil
You can download the recycling guidelines through the following link: Recycling Guidelines Download.
UM-Dearborn Landfill Guidelines
Some plastic products:
- Plastics #3
- Plastic Bags (you can recycle these at most large grocery stores or at our Recycling Hub for Special Items in the Mardigian Library)
- Flimsy Plastics (these are typically plastics without a recycling triangle label)
- Plastic utensils
- Plastic Binders
- Chip Bags
- Ziplock Bags
- Plastic Wrap
- Styrofoam
Some paper products:
- Tissues
- Paper Towels and Napkins
- Hardcover Books
- Spiral Notebooks
- Shredded Paper
- Candy Wrappers
Miscellaneous items:
- Glass
- Compostable products (we are in the process of developing a composting program!)
- Food Waste
- Items that are soiled, dirty or covered in liquid
You can download the landfill guidelines through the following link: Landfill Guidelines Download.