Recycling
Frequently Asked Questions
What is single-sort recycling?
Single-sort Recycling is a new system the University of New England has adopted that allows you to recycle more than ever! Now you can put paper, glass, metal and plastics all in ONE bin! For a complete listing of what can go into the green, single-sort recycling bins, click here.
If everything recyclable can go in the single-sort bins, why is there a separate bin for returnable bottles and cans?
The university is investing the revenue generated by the bottles & cans into the recycling program. Those 5 cents may not seem like a lot, but they add up to make sure we can keep our waste management environmentally friendly.
What are the benefits of single-sort recycling?
Single-sort recycling saves time. In addition, the majority of the waste generated on the campus is now recyclable, which helps reduce the waste UNE puts out and decreases our carbon footprint. For information on your carbon footprint, visit The Nature Consevancy's Carbon Footprint Calculator.
Is there anything that can’t go in single-sort recycling?
Light bulbs, hypodermic needles, sharp objects, bubble wrap, food, Styrofoam packaging and peanuts, food bags, diapers, potato chip bags, and other non-recyclable waste cannot be put in single-sort recycling. We ask that all of these objects go into the gray bins to facilitate the recycling process.
How do I tell corrugated cardboard from ordinary cardboard?
Corrugated cardboard can be identified by the triangles inside it, which are visible wherever the cardboard is cut in a cross section. (See the photo below for a visual representation of corrugated cardboard.) Ordinary cardboard does not have these triangles.
Where do I recycle corrugated cardboard?
Corrugated cardboard can be recycled in the dumpster marked "CARDBOARD ONLY." On the Portland Campus, this dumpster is located behind Alexander Hall. On the Biddeford Campus there are cardboard dumpsters located near Champlain Hall, behind the Campus Center, behind Decary Hall and behind Stella Maris.
What do I do with my florescent light bulbs?
Because fluorescent light bulbs contain mercury, all fluorescent bulbs on campus must be recycled. NEVER dispose of fluorescent bulbs in the trash or in a dumpster.
Normally, fluorescent bulbs on campus are changed by Facilities Management (FM). FM has fluorescent bulb accumulation points on each campus. When they change your bulb, they save the bulbs for recycling.
To have fluorescent bulbs picked up for recycling, or to report abandoned fluorescent bulbs, call Facilities Management at x2368.Who should I call about getting new bins or a different sized bin for my work area?
If you feel bins should be located in a different place, or would like some added, place a work order.
Available Work Area Bins
Available Work Area Bins
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Recycle box for larger office accumulation areas - (12.5 gal), Color blue | |
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Desk-side recycle container (41 Quarts), Color blue | |
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Vanity waste basket, which fits into the 28 1/8 Quarts recycling container (below). | |
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Recycling container - (28 1/8 Quarts), Color blue |
How often are the bins emptied?
The recycling bins will be emptied on the same schedule as the trash, so about once a day. However, if you notice that a recycling bin is full (or will be full very soon) please let us know! This is a new system, and if a certain recycling bin needs to be emptied more than once a day we would like to keep up with demand and provide you with the best service possible.
What if the recycling bin in my dorm is full?
Ask your RA to place a work order. Facilities will then empty the bin.
What if my personal, desk recycling bin is full?
Faculty and staff who have personal recycling bins should empty these bins into the nearest large recycling bin on a regular basis.
What do I do if I see a recycling bin that needs to be emptied?
Place a work order. Please call ext. 2368 with any questions about this system.
I have seen recycling being put into a trash truck. Why?
This happens when people contaminate recyclables with trash. Even if some recyclable material is put into a recycling bin, the contents must match the labeling of the bin. EcoMaine will refuse to accept loads of contaminated recyclables.
How do I recycle shredded documents?
Please keep shredded documents in the plastic bag liner of the paper shredder. The plastic bag ensures that the thin scraps of paper are processed correctly. If your shredded paper is not in the plastic bag, it cannot be recycled and may contaminate the bin of recyclable material. Place the plastic bag with shredded paper into a green single-sort recycling bin.
How can I find out if my plastic container is recyclable?
Plastics numbered 1-7 are recyclable in the green single-sort bins. On the bottom of most plastic containers, there is a triangular symbol (that looks much like the recycling symbol). The number within that triangle is the number of plastic your container is made out of. Unfortunately, if there is no number there is no way to identify the type of plastic and it cannot be recycled using our system.
How can I find out if my bottle or can is returnable?
To find out if a bottle or can is returnable or not, look at the label. Normally, located near the bar code is a list of states in which that product can be redeemed for cash. If "ME" is on that list, your bottle or can should go in the blue "Returnable Bottles & Cans Only" bin.
What is the difference between a returnable can and a redeemable can?
For the purposes of this recycling program, these two terms are used interchangeably to mean a bottle or can that has a cash value in the state of Maine.
Can I recycle beverage straws, lids and caps? What about plastic utensils?
While these items can be placed in the single-sort bins, they are too small for EcoMaine’s equipment to salvage (They'll literally fall through the cracks.). Because of this, they will wind up as trash and should be separated and placed in the trash whenever possible.
Can I recycle my pizza boxes?
Yes! Pizza boxes can be placed in the green single-sort bins. They can even have some oil and a little bit of cheese stuck to them. However, please remove all crusts, pizza pieces, and large clumps of toppings before recycling. In Ginn/McDougal residence hall, there are specific bins for pizza boxes so the boxes don't fill up the recycling containers.
Can I recycle waxed paper or cardboard?
Unfortunately, wax is not recyclable. However, in modern products the “wax” coating is often actually a thin layer of plastic. To tell if your product is waxed, lightly scratch it with your fingernail. If the coating comes off under your nail, it is waxed and cannot be recycled.
Where does my recycling go? How does it get there?
Waste Management comes to the Portland Campus on Wednesday mornings and empties the 65 gallon toters into a truck that is used for recycling only. The material is taken to EcoMaine in Portland. On the Biddeford Campus, our Facilities staff brings the green toters to Sokokis Hall and empties them into the compactor located there. When the compactor is full, Waste Management is notified and they bring the material to EcoMaine in Portland. When the City of Biddeford moves to single-sort recycling, we hope that the material will travel a shorter distance.