Recycling

About Our Program

The recycling program began as a student run initiative in 2000. By 2003, recycling workers extended their service to create a university-wide recycling program, Recycling is now part of General Support Services.

Our Recycling Efforts Continue to Grow!

 Thank you to all of our recyclers on campus!

Please call 786-1129
or Email uaa.recycling@alaska.edu

• Recycling Policies & Procedures

  Recycling Policy

  Pick up dates and times, and any changes will be announced on this recycling home page.  We will attempt to announce any changes to the schedule at least one week in advance and will request that the Green & Gold post these changes as well.
   
  If we missed your pick up or if you need an extra pick up due to higher than usual levels of materials (ex: because of an office move, cleaning, etc.), please send an email to the Recycling Crew Director at uaa.recycle@alaska.edu.

  
  The recycling crew consists of students who have class schedules; therefore, notice as far in advance as possible will help us work an extra pick up into the recycling schedule.  We will try to be as flexible as possible and hope that with advance notice we will be able to coordinate your pick up needs.  However, we cannot schedule extra pick-ups because your office was locked on the pick up date and the crew was unable to access recycling bins.
   
  We very much appreciate departments who call or email in advance and warn us that they have large amounts of material to be recycled.
   
  It is our policy to provide departments with medium to large-sized bins at central collection locations.  Departments are required to provide bins for individual offices.
   
  Recycling do’s and dont's are posted on the recycling page and departments are requested to appropriately process their recycling. If your batch of recycling includes a lot of trash, bottles and cans that are not emptied, or a lot of bottles with caps left on, the batch will be placed in the trash.  It only takes a few seconds and we all need to take responsibility for appropriately processing what we use.

  What can I recycle?

  Staff & Faculty
  Departments have pick ups for mixed paper, cardboard, aluminum & steel cans, batteries, and plastic bottles. Departments are asked to provide their own receptacles for cans & bottles and in individual offices. Only recycling unit bins are emptied by our crew -  Smaller department bins should be emptied into our bins by your staff please.

  Students/Campus Visitors
  Public bins for mixed paper, cardboard, cans & plastic bottles are distributed throughout campus for your use.

  How do I recycle it?

  Mixed Paper & Cardboard

  • Mixed paper includes white or color paper, glossy paper, junk mail, window envelopes, paper board (e.g. cereal boxes), gift wrap, paper egg cartons.
  • Staples are ok
  • DO NOT include milk or juice cartons/boxes, hardcover books, binder clips, or metal/plastic bindings
  • Please flatten cardboard and place it next to your recycling bin for pick up 

  

  Cans

  • Empty aluminum and steel food or beverage cans are accepted
  • Please rinse off any food left on cans
  • DO NOT include scrap metal of any kind

  

  Plastic

  • We accept #1 PETE & #2 HDPE bottles or jugs with a neck. 
  • DO NOT include bottle caps, other numbered plastics, tubs (yogurt), cups, take out containers, or bottles which held chemicals.
    ( As of September 15, 2019 we will no longer collect plastic bags or stretch film.)

   

  Batteries

  • Alkaline (e.g. found in remote controllers, stereos, cameras, and CD players),
  • Lithium (e.g. found in digital cameras and computer motherboards),
  • Lithium-ion (also known as “rechargeable”; e.g. found in laptops, cell phones),
  • Nickel metal hydride (e.g. found in cordless phones, power tools, and digital cameras),
  • Nickel cadmium/“wet cell” (e.g. found in aircraft, and solar applications),
  • Nickel cadmium/“dry cell” (e.g. found in remote controllers, telephones, and portable radios),
  • Lantern-type 6-volt batteries.

  

  All anodes must be taped.  Batteries should be placed in a bag, labeled as “Recycle” and taped to or placed directly next to, the paper or mixed Recycling bins in your department.

  

  Federal regulations now classify electronic circuit board containing equipment and computer monitors and television sets (Cathode Ray Tube, flat Light Emitting Diode or plasma) as regulated universal waste and landfills can no longer accept those items for disposal.  UAA departments within the Municipality of Anchorage are required to deliver to or request pick-up of the items from Surplus Property (786-1959).
  

  Custodial Services will no longer pick the items up as trash. Surplus Property will arrange to recycle the items through licensed vendors and recyclers in accordance with the new regulations.
   
  Community campuses should research local options and develop plans to assure proper recycling of electronic circuit boards and computer monitors and televisions.  If you have any questions.

• UAA Recycling Pick-Up Schedule

  Effective: February 6, 2018

  MONDAY

  • Professional Studies Building
  • Wendy Williamson-Auditorium
  • Gordon Hartlieb Hall
  • Auto/Diesel Technologies
  • Lucy Cuddy Hall
  • Rasmuson Hall-Mixed
  • Allied Health Sciences

  TUESDAY 

  • Beatrice McDonald Hall
  • Sally Monserud Hall
  • Eugene Short Hall
  • Wells Fargo Sports Complex
  • Student Union
  • Ansep building
  • Bookstore

  WEDNESDAY

  • Engineering & Industry Building
  • Health Sciences Building
  • Engineering & Computation Building
  • Natural Sciences Building
  • Social Sciences Building
  • Spine 1 and 2
  • Ecosystem Biomedical Health Laboratory

  THURSDAY

  • University Center
  • Bragaw Buildings
  • Bragaw Office 1
  • Bragaw Office 2
  • Bragaw Office 3 - Mixed
  • Aviation Technologies Building
  • Gambell Professional Building
  • Rasmuson Hall – Paper (ASD Voc Program Students)

  FRIDAY

  • University Lake Building
  • University Lake Annex
  • Alaska Airlines Center
  • MAC Student Housing
  • Edward Lee Gorsuch Commons
  • Residential Life Office
  • North Hall Student Housing
  • West Hall Student Housing
  • East Hall Student Housing
  • Fine Arts Building
  • Ansep Academy Building
  • Conoco Philips Integrated Science Building
  • Administrative & Humanities Building
  • Consortium Library

   

  *Please contact the Recycling Director at uaa.recycle@alaska.edu if an earlier pick up is necessary. While we try to accommodate special requests, our recycling crew is comprised entirely of students, and the recycling pick-up schedule is built around class schedules. Please remember that while recycle can be expected to be picked up on certain days, specific times are not promised. It is advised that all materials be ready and accessible at 8am on the scheduled day to ensure pick-up. Thank you for your cooperation!

• FAQ

  Recycling FAQs

  Do I need to separate my mixed paper or cardboard from the regular trash? Doesn’t the recycle crew do that before it goes to the landfill?

  The recycling crew is only able to collect from the recycle receptacles.

  I have a separate box or bin full of recycling at my desk, why hasn’t the recycling team been by to pick it up?

  Well, you're almost there. All you need to do now is take your personal bin to the nearest centrally located recycle bin. If your department doesn’t have a centrally located bin, please email uaa.recycle@alaska.edu or call 786-1129 to request a bin.

  Can I recycle my plastic soda and water bottles, plastic bags, and food containers?

  Yes, you can recycle plastic soda and water bottles. The bottles must be #1 PETE bottles with neck and #2 HDPE jugs with neck. You cannot recycle food containers. Avoid placing food containers in recycle bins as it will contaminate the entire bin and it will all need to be thrown out. ( As of September 15, 2019 we will no longer collect plastic bags or stretch film.)

  Can I recycle used paper plates, cups, napkins, and towels? They’re made from paper right?

  While it is true that these materials are generally made from paper, most of these items (once used) have food residue on them. For example, if pizza boxes have cheese or grease on the cardboard, they cannot be recycled.

  How do I reach UAA Recycling?

  You can reach us by email at uaa.recycle@alaska.edu or call 786-1129

  Why doesn’t the recycling get picked up at night when the custodians do their regular maintenance?

  The recycling team is made up of student employees so collection is done during the day.

  Can I recycle coffee cups?

  Unfortunately, no.  Coffee cups come with a lining which inhibits it from being a recyclable material.

  Can I recycle batteries?

  Personal batteries such as AA can be taken to Total Reclaim. Batteries purchased for and consumed by UAA can be recycled at UAA. Just tape the anodes, collect in a box or plastic bag, and place them on or beside the nearest recycling bin.

  Can I recycle glass?

  Yes! For beverages or food items bought or consumed on campus, place the glass container in either bins designated for can or plastic recycling. The UAA Recycle Crew will sort it out for you! 

  Can I recycle books?

  Yes; however, here are a few rules to keep in mind. Paperback books may be recycled and it's okay to keep both the front and back covers in tact. Hardcover books must have the front and back covers removed before recycling. Books that are bound must have the bindings removed before recycling.