Recycling at Georgetown

Georgetown is committed to sustainable waste management. With your help, we can reduce the amount of waste we send to the landfill. Students, faculty, staff and visitors can recycle much of your personal and office waste generated on campus. Explore the information below to find out what and how.

Single Stream Recycling

Georgetown uses a single-stream recycling system, which means all common recyclable materials (with the exception of corrugated cardboard) should be placed in the same bin. This shift is meant to make recycling simpler for our University community members and reduce contamination in the waste stream. Please help Georgetown recycle properly by always following the labels on the bins!

What items can be recycled?

Examples of corrugated cardboard recycling, which does not include cereal boxes and other non-corrugated cardboard classified as mixed paper.
Mixed recycling includes, mixed paper, metals, plastic, and glass. See text for examples.

Paper

  • Unwaxed Cups & Containers
  • Flattened Cardboard (not corrugated)
  • Milk, Juice, & Soup Cartons
  • Newspaper / Magazines
  • Books / Phone Books
  • Junk Mail & Office Paper

(all items clean & empty)

*Corrugated cardboard should be flattened and placed in designated cardboard recycling areas
*No Tissues

Plastic

  • Cups & Containers
  • Bottles & Lids
  • Bulky Items

(all items clean & empty)
*No Plastic Bags
*No Foam Polystyrene
*No Straws or Utensils

Metal

  • Steel & Aluminum
  • Bottles/Cans/Containers

(all items clean & empty)
*No Paint Cans

Non-recyclables

Examples of non-recyclables like styrofoam cups, plastic grocery bags, plastic wrap, plastic straws, chip bags, and plastic utensils.

Campus community members are encouraged to minimize non-recyclable waste to help reduce material sent to a landfill.  The best waste practice is to reduce the need for new material by minimizing waste from the start, and reusing, recycling or composting the rest. 

Bulk Items and Electronics

E waste image

Recycled in separate streams:

More Recycling Resources

Recycling Labels for Download

Mixed Recycling/Cardboard/Landfill Labels

More Information

To request bins or report a problem, contact Facilities Management:

Facilities Management
(202) 687-3432
Submit a Work Order (new window)