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TCNJ Guidelines

A TCNJ staff member recycling a plastic bottle into a blue bin.

Quick References:

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TCNJ is single stream recycling, that means that if you find a blue container you can add your paper AND bottles and cans (as described below) into the same container for recycling!

 

Recycling Guidelines:

What can I recycle at TCNJ?

Paper, Bottles and Cans, Cardboard, CDs, DVDs, VHS, Batteries, Cell Phones, Ink Cartridges, Copier/Printer/Fax/Toner

Details associated with the TCNJ Recycling Program:

Bottles and Cans

Glass

  • Bottles
  • Jars
  • Food and beverage containers

Plastic Bottles

  • #1
  • #2
  • #3
  • #4

Not sure what these are? Click here

Metal Cans

  • Tin
  • Steel
  • Bi-metal
  • Aluminum

Bottles and Cans are NOT required to be cleaned but must they must be emptied.

Paper

Corrugated cardboard

(“wavy” interior is acceptable)
  • Must be broken down or folded
  • Must keep clean and dry

Newspaper

  • Must keep clean and dry

Mixed paper

  • Magazines
  • Standard and Junk Mail
  • Office and copy paper
  • Phone books
  • Paper file folders
  • Paper envelopes
  • Colored paper
  • Food menus

Please note that this list of items is subject to change with new disposal contracts.


What can I NOT recycle at TCNJ?

Paper Coffee Cups, Pizza Boxes, Textbooks, Naked Juice Bottles, Paper Towels, Paper Plates
When recycling materials have been mixed with bulk trash, such as food waste, they are now considered contaminated and must be removed as bulk trash.

Common Contaminated Items that TCNJ can NOT Accept

  • Anything that is contaminated by food
  • Paper coffee cups
  • Pizza boxes
  • Food paper plates
  • Text Books
  • Paper towels (these are mistaken for the paper recycling containers in the bathrooms)
  • Pyrex glass

How can I avoid contaminating recyclables?

  • Empty liquids out of bottles and cans prior to recycling (soda cans, water bottles, sports drinks, etc.)
  • Don’t place garbage (paper towels, gum wrappers, etc.) inside recycling containers or bottles and cans that are being recycled
  • Ask questions regarding TCNJ Recycling Guidelines when in doubt if something can be recycled

What other items can I recycle at TCNJ?

Batteries

All types of batteries. Learn more

BATTERY RECYCLING FOR TCNJ COMMUNITY ONLY:

BATTERY DROP OFF LOCATIONS ON CAMPUS:

  • Brower Student Center – Info Desk – Must show your TCNJ identification card

 

Cell phones and their accessories

(Can NOT be thrown into the trash, most products come with this sticker)

  • Contact Amanda Radosti at radosti@tcnj.edu to request a display box for your area
  • Check with your cell phone provider to see if they accept old cell phones

Inkjet Cartridges

  • Ink jet recycling can be brought to the Telecommunicaitons Office in Green Hall Lower Level OR R. Barbara Gitenstein Library, Room 4 – Instructional Design Lab
  • Contact Amanda Radosti at radosti@tcnj.edu to request a display for your area
  • Check with your place of purchase to see if they accept old cartridges
  • Some schools may collect these as fund raisers

Copier/Printer Toner  (includes Canon toner cartridges)

  • Return to Current Office Supply Vendor (Staples)
    • Clearly mark Recycle on box of used toner and office supply vendor will pick up when dropping off new items

CDs, DVDs and VHS tapes

  • Technotrash Recycling – Please make sure to destroy all personal content.
  • These items can be accepted at the IT Help Desk in Green Hall.

When in doubt, throw it out!

Still have questions about what can be recycled? Contact the Recycling Coordinator radosti@tcnj.edu

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