November 15 Is "America Recycles Day"

"America Recycles Day", a program from Keep America Beautiful is a nationally recognized day and coast-to-coast community-driven awareness campaign dedicated to promoting and celebrating recycling in the United States. It has been held on Nov. 15 since 1997.

It is important for students, staff, and faculty to better understand which bin to use when disposing materials. Visit the Recycling Basics guide from the Office of Sustainability to learn more.

So, what exactly can be recycled at UNO and which bin do you use?

Cardboard

All corrugated cardboard (e.g. shipping boxes, pizza boxes, etc.) is collected in a separate CARDBOARD ONLY dumpster.

• Cardboard boxes should be clean and dry.

• Cardboard boxes should be flattened and placed behind-or-near the closest recycling bin or outside collection site. Please do not attempt to place boxes in recycling bin.

• If you have generated a large amount of cardboard, please contact Facilities Management and Planning to arrange a pick-up.

Mixed Recyclables

Paper, metal, and plastic may be placed together in the recycling bins around campus. There is no need to separate each item. This guide provides examples of the items accepted in UNO’s mixed recyclables containers.
PAPER

Almost all clean paper, including but not limited to:

• Magazines/Catalogues
• Newspaper
• Mail
• Paperback Books
• Office Paper
• Colored Paper
• Notebook Paper
• Envelopes
• Paper Bags
• Drink Boxes

Metal

Aluminum and steel (tin) items, including but not limited to:

• Food Cans
• Beverage Cans
• Aluminum Bottles
• Tin Cans
• Steel Cans

Plastics

The BLUE recycling bins are for hard plastics like plastic bottles, cups, caps, lids, food containers, and packaging with the numbers: #1, #2, #3, #5, including but not limited to:

• Water Bottles
• Soda Bottles
• Food Containers
• Juice Bottles
• Cookie Trays
• Reusable Food Storage Containers
• Disposable Food Storage Containers
• Microwave Meal Trays
• Lotion Bottles
• Spray Bottles
• Soap Dispensers
• DVD/CD Cases

The ORANGE Hefty® Energy Bag®

Soft plastics and Styrofoam. Including, but not limited to:

• Foam cups and containers
• Chip bags
• Candy wrappers
• Plastic utensils
• Plastic straws
• Plastic packaging

For a more complete list of materials accepted into which bin, visit First Star’s Recycling Guide.

For an additional opportunity to participate in America Recycles Day and take it one step further, consider joining Keep Omaha Beautiful 24-Hour Zero Waste Challenge!