What to know about recycling at Millersville!
Get to know the Big 4.
Recycling is an ever changing and adapting industry. National and international markets determine what can be collected and recycled, and this can change over time. What we collect at Millersville University may be different from what you collect at home or in other parts of Pennsylvania and may have changed since you last learned about recycling. It is important to only recycle the items that are the Big 4. Placing other materials in the recycling bin will contaminate the collection and may result in the material not being able to be recycled. Let’s all work together to recycling right and divert as much material as possible to be recycled.
The Big 4 - What to recycle at Millersville.
At Millersville University, we recycle the Big 4: Plastic Bottles and Jugs, Metal Cans, Glass, and Corrugated Cardboard.
1) Plastic Bottles and Jugs: Plastic bottles, jars, jugs, and anything else with a neck.
For these materials, the top of the item should be smaller, or have a neck, compared to the bottom of the item. Focus on the shape of the plastic rather than the numbers listed on the bottom. Rinse out the container and throw away the lids.
2) Metal Food and Beverage Cans: All food and beverage cans made from aluminum or steel. Rinse out the container and throw out the lid.
3) Glass: Clear, green, and brown glass bottles and jars. Rinse out the container and throw away the lid.
4) Corrugated Cardboard: Any size sheet of corrugated cardboard, including items like shipping boxes and packing boxes. Flatten the boxes and remove all packaging materials such as bubble wrap and styrofoam.
Click the image below for recycling guidance provided by the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority (LCSWMA).
Commons items at Millersville that cannot be recycled.
Please place the following items in the trash can. They CANNOT be recycled at Millersville.
- Hot and cold drink to go cups - both paper and plastic
- To go or single use plastic containers
- Any type of Styrofoam
- Pizza boxes
- Yogurt and other wide mouth plastic containers
- Cereal, tissue, and other types of paperboard
- Office paper, magazines, and newspapers
- Any type of plastic bag
When in Doubt, Throw it Out.
Learn more about recycling at Millersville as well as how you can avoid wishcycling.
Wishcycling is the disposal of items into the recycling bin that you hope can be recycled but are not actually recyclable.
If you are unsure if an item is recyclable, it is better to throw it in the trash than possibly contaminate the recycling. Make sure to follow up later and see if the material is recyclable for future situations.
But when in doubt, please throw it out.
Some Additional Resources for Recycling in the Lancaster Area.
Lancaster City has a drop-off location where you can take additional items that are not collected on campus. Such items include, office paper, magazines, newspaper, books, etc. For more information as well as hours, check out their website here.
Toner Cartridges
Ricoh Copiers - Toner cartridge boxes should come with a return label for returning the used cartridges to Ricoh. If these are not available, return labels can be printed through Ricoh's Product Stewardship and Recycling website.
Other Toner Cartridges - Faculty, staff, and students can drop other toner cartridges off at the Office of Sustainability (located in the Lombardo Welcome Center) to be recycled.
Waste to Energy
Unlike other locations where waste is sent straight to a landfill, Millersville University’s waste goes to LCSWMA (the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority), where it is processed at a waste-to-energy facility and used to produce renewable energy for homes and businesses in the region.