Recycling Tips

Want to learn more about being green? These tips will help you think green here at Ross.

Reduce

There are many practices you can try to reduce waste:

  • Practice double-sided printing when possible
  • Keep a mug or water bottle at your desk instead of using paper products
  • Use rechargeable batteries if possible. One charger can charge many different sizes of batteries. You may also dispose of used batteries here at Ross in the staff lounge or on the loading dock, where they will be picked up for safe disposal.
  • Save supplies you no longer use for the annual Green Clean Day

Reuse

Many items can find a purpose, even after you are done with them:

  • Save supplies you no longer use for the annual Green Clean Day
  • Binders, binder/paper clips, books, computer software (you may check with Computing Services to find out if your software is reusable), manila folders, office furniture, etc.
  • Holiday greeting cards can be recycled and reused via St. Jude’s Ranch for Children Recycled Card Program. To find out how visit https://stjudesranch.org/about-us/recycled-card-program/
  • If you have any questions regarding whether or not you have items that may be reused, please contact the Green Team at RossGreenTeam@umich.edu

Recycle

U-M utilizing single-stream recycling. This means that all recycle receptacles – including those in the faculty hubs, shared staff spaces, Wintergarden, hallways, and your personal offices – do not need to separate out different types of recycling. Please put all recyclable materials in the same recycle receptacle. NOTE: If you place trash items (even something as small as a soiled Kleenex) in the recycling receptacles, it will contaminate the entire bin and everything will be thrown away, so please be conscious of what you recycle. For more recycling guidelines, please review U-M’s Recycle website.

Things to remember to recycle:

  • Transparencies – only transparencies without printing on them may be recycled. To recycle blank transparencies, you may send boxed transparencies to 3M Recycle Program, C/O Genmark, 99 Stevens Lane, Exeter, PA 18643.
  • Toner Cartridges – used cartridges from printers can be recycled. Please email RossHelpdesk@umich.edu to request them to pick it up; please include your contact name and room number.
  • CD ROMS – Jewel cases in good condition may be brought to Computing Services, old or damaged (but not broken) CD ROMS may be recycled, or you may send them to MRC Polymers, C/O DADC Recycling Program, 3307 Lawdale Ave., Chicago, IL 60623.
  • Copy Paper Wrappers – Copy paper wrappers are recyclable. NOTE: Hammermill empty paper reams are not because they are coated with a water-proofing chemical.
  • Paper  – paper books/manuals, cardstock, flyers, glossy catalogs/magazines, cardboard (which needs to be bagged or bundled separately for the custodians to pick up), envelopes with windows, hanging file folders (you must remove the wire from which the folder hangs), spiral notebooks (you must remove the binding), manila folders, newsprint, phone books, shredded paper (this must be bagged separately) can be placed in recycle bins
  • Beverages & Containers – those labeled 1 and 2 can be placed in recycle bins
  • NCR Carbonless Forms – these can be placed in recycle bins

Things that do NOT get recycled:

  • Carbon paper
  • Food/food wrappers. NOTE: All Aramark/Seigle/Marketplace food containers are compostable. Compost bins are marked brown and may be found in recycle areas throughout Ross.
  • Napkins/tissues NOTE: All Aramark/Seigle/Marketplace food containers are compostable. Compost bins are marked brown and may be found in recycle areas throughout Ross.
  • Sticky labels/adhesives
  • Thermal fax paper
  • Waxy cardboard