Elon University has a recycling program for recoverable materials such as paper and paper-related products, cardboard, plastics, glass, tin, aluminum, and glass. To a lesser degree, automotive batteries, household batteries, fluorescent bulbs, motor oil, tires, shipping pallets, electronics, and printer cartridges are also recycled. Elon composts at all three dining facilities; Clohan Dining, McEwen Dining, and Lakeside Dining.

Elon’s recycling efforts, on average, save more than 200 tons of cardboard, and 35 tons of paper, plastic, and other recyclable materials. Elon’s composting efforts, on average, save more than 187 tons of compostable materials from the landfill.

Collection & Processing

Recyclable materials should be deposited in appropriate containers found within buildings and throughout the campus grounds. Recycle bins have a blue label, lid, or body. Recyclables are picked up by members of the Environmental Services department and deposited in designated containers at the Facilities Management office.  Cardboard is also taken off campus by a vendor for processing. Other common recyclables are sent to Greensboro for separation and further processing. Recycling receptacles can be found in residence halls, classrooms, offices, athletic venues, and throughout the campus grounds.

Elon University is a member of the Collegiate Recyclers Coalition, a Council of the Carolina Recycling Association. If you have any questions or comments about recycling or have a need for a pick-up service, please contact Facilities Management at 336-278-5500 or email Kendra Harrison at kharrison17@elon.edu.

Visit the Sustainability website for more information on recycling at Elon, including locations for specialty item recycling (e.g., batteries) and permissible recycling items.

Recycling and Composting Facts

Big-Picture: Waste & Diversion at Elon University (2024–2025)

In the 2024–25 school year, Elon University generated 1,523 tons of total waste.
Of that total, 236 tons were recycled and 187 tons were composted.
Together, recycling and composting diverted 423 tons from the landfill.
This results in a 27.8 percent waste diversion rate for the year.
The remaining 1,100 tons went to landfill, which is 72.2 percent of total waste.

Big-Picture: Recycling Stats in the United States

In the United States in 2018, about 292.4 million tons of municipal solid waste (trash) were generated. Of that total, approximately 69 million tons were recycled. When you include composting, nearly 94 million tons were recycled or composted, giving a 32.1 percent recycling and composting rate.
Paper and paperboard make up the largest share of recycled material by weight, accounting for about 67 percent of the recycled total.
Metals accounted for about 13 percent of recycled materials, while glass, plastics, and wood each made up roughly 4–5 percent.

Big-Picture: Composting in the United States

In the United States in 2018, almost 25 million tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) were composted — much less than the 69 million tons recycled but still a significant contribution to waste management.
On a per-person basis in 2018, Americans composted about 0.42 pounds of organic waste per person per day.
Food waste and yard trimmings together make up a large portion of organic materials in the waste stream, but only a small percentage of food waste gets composted nationally.

PIZZA BOXES – although cardboard, mostly are considered contaminated as a cardboard recyclable BUT are VERY WELCOME items to COMPOST.  Please place pizza boxes in any compost related container or for multiple boxes, please call (336) 278-5500 to ask for pick-up service.

Find out what’s recyclable and where to find bins.

Recycling Plastics

Plastics Recycling Explained:

Plastics are one of the most misunderstood recycling items. Just because a container has the chasing-arrows symbol does not mean it’s recyclable everywhere. The number on the bottom (#1–#7) only tells you what type of plastic it is, not whether your local facility can recycle it.

What actually gets recycled depends on the recycling facility’s equipment and markets.

At Elon, plastics go to the Republic Materials Recycling Facility in Greensboro, which accepts #1 (PET), #2 (HDPE), and #5 (PP) plastics.
Elon does not accept thin plastics (like grocery bags) in the recycling cans or items smaller than 2″ x 2″.

Why only some plastics?
Different plastics melt and process differently:

#1 and #2 (water bottles, milk jugs, detergent bottles) are usually blow-molded.
#5 (tubs and cups like yogurt or sour cream containers) are injection-molded.
Because plastics behave differently when melted, not all types can be processed together, and many (#3, #4, #6, #7) are often not accepted due to limited markets or processing challenges.

What the numbers mean (quick guide)
#1 PET – Water and soda bottles
#2 HDPE – Milk jugs, detergent and shampoo bottles
#3 PVC – Vinyl products
#4 LDPE – Plastic bags and film (not accepted curbside at Elon; plastic bags can be brought to the designated collection spot in Moseley across from Irazu).
#5 PP – Yogurt, sour cream, and to-go containers
#6 PS – Foam cups and takeout containers
#7 Other – Mixed or specialty plastics

Bottom line: At Elon, recycle clean, empty #1, #2, and #5 plastics only. When in doubt, leave it out — contamination can ruin whole loads of recycling.