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Recycling and Composting

A page within Sustainability

 UWL's recycling program was established in 1991 to reduce the amount of solid waste as well as reusing, and recycling those waste materials when possible.

UWL has combined reduce, reuse, and recycle with re-buy and refuse to form UWL's R-5 Program. It is important to note that theses are listed in order of importance. Principally, recycling should come after attempts to reduce use of materials in the first place, and also after trying to  a potential reuse for the product. If there is no way to reduce or reuse, then proceed to recycling.

  1. Reduce:   Cut your use of energy, water, materials and toxic products
  2. Reuse:   Use it again and again, until it can't be used anymore
  3. Recycle:   Make new products or packaging from used materials
  4. Re-buy:   Purchase products made from recycled materials
  5. Refuse/Re-think:   Think again!  Consider the environmental consequences of your purchasing decision before you buy.  Refuse products you don't need.  

Buying products made from recycled materials and thinking about our purchases closes the loop. 

Recycling Rules

  1. Never bag your recycling! It should be put in loosely into the recycling containers.
    1. Bagged recycling can cause damage to recycling equipment and may just be thrown away!
  2. Recycling rules change based on where you are! What is recyclable where you are from may be different from what is recyclable in La Crosse. 
    1. The most up to date recycling information is available here:
      1. Green Circle Recycling
  3. Food waste and liquids are contaminants! Your recyclables should be cleaned of these prior to being placed in a bin.
  4. Hazardous Materials should not go into the your recycling bin! The La Crosse County Landfill will take those at the Household Hazardous Materials collection facility.
    1. Hazardous Materials include but are not limited to: 
      1. Batteries (lead acid, rechargeable, lithium ion, normal alkaline can be placed in trash), Electronics (computers, chargers, phones, TVs), appliances, cleaning supplies, and more.
      2. For a full list of Hazardous Materials go here:
      3. Household Hazardous Materials

Plastics #1, 2, 4, 5

Examples of recyclable plastics

 

  • All plastic containers #1, 2, 4, 5
  • Before plastics are placed in a recycling bin they must be CLEAN.
    • Any liquid or food waste must be removed prior to recycling.
  •  Examples:
    • Soda bottles and milk jugs
    • Food packages
    • Shampoo and detergent bottles
  • Remove and discard caps and spray bottle nozzles

Metals

Examples of recyclable metals

  • Aluminum and tin cans/lids 
  • Aluminum foil and pie plates (must be cleaned of food residue)
  • Wire clothes hangers
  • Empty aerosol cans
  • Metal pots and pans

Glass

glass

  • Any clear or colored jars and bottles

Paper

paper

  • Any type of corrugated boxes - Flatten all boxes 
  • Cereal boxes (plastic inserts removed)
  • Soda boxes 
  • Mail and envelopes (plastic windows are accepted)
  • Shredded paper (must be placed in a plastic bag)
  • Magazines and catalogs
  • Phone books
  • Pizza box covers (greasy bottoms should be thrown away)
  • Egg cartons

Common Contaminants

The following items are contaminants in the recycling stream, and should not be placed in a recycling bin:

  • Food waste of any kind
  • Food-tainted items (such as: used paper plates, pizza boxes, paper towels, or paper napkins)
  • Liquids
    • Liquids should be removed prior to being put in a recycling bin.
  • Plastic wrap, films, etc.
  • Styrofoam
  • Hazardous materials 
    • such as chemicals and electronics.

When it doubt, throw it out!

Some of the above items, like electronics and plastic films can be recycled just not in a typical recycling bin. They should be brought to specific collection facilities.

Composting Services

Interested in fighting climate change in your kitchen? Let’s get composting! By collecting certain food waste, you can reduce CO2 emissions and fight climate change. UWL Sustainability offers tips and guidance on getting started and place to drop it off. See the attachment below for more information. To sign up fill out this form: https://forms.office.com/r/A9xQRDreWN