Recycle from A-Z

Recycling A-Z

Item What To Do With It

Aerosol Can

Davis Campus: If the container had paint/solvents in it, it is considered hazardous/universal waste and must be disposed of through Safety Services.

UC Davis Health: Aerosol cans may be hazardous waste when they are non-empty and will no longer be used. Aerosol cans are not hazardous wastes when they have been emptied of contents. Reference Hazardous Waste Disposal or contact Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) at 754-2740.

Aluminum Can

Davis Campus: Recycle at any bottle/can/containers recycling bin or mixed recycling bin on campus.

UC Davis Health: Place empty cans in mixed recycling container.

Aluminum Foil

Davis Campus: Recycle at any bottle/can/containers recycling bin or mixed recycling bin on campus. Please empty any food, liquid, or grease from the foil or foil pan before recycling.

UC Davis Health: Clean aluminum place in mixed recycling container. Soiled / food soiled place in landfill/trash container.

Audio Equipment

Davis campus:

  • Waste generated on campus (non-residential): Contact Aggie Surplus for resale options or recycling.
  • Waste generated on campus (residence halls): Contact the Student Housing Sustainability Office.
  • Waste generated off campus: Please take household hazardous waste (HHW) such as electronic waste to your local HHW facility (City of Davis residents use the Yolo County Landfill).

 

UC Davis Health: Create PO&M Service Request (BEATS) for pick up by Move Crew.

Battery

It is illegal to throw batteries in the trash in the state of California.

Davis Campus: Drop off at any multi-bin location on campus (find the closest multi-bin location on the campus Sustainability Map) or request a desktop battery bin and intercampus mail to "Environmental Safety Facility" when full. See Safety Services Battery Recycling Program.

UC Davis Health: Place batteries in appropriately labeled bucket. See Safety Services Battery Recycling Program.

Bottle (food/beverage)

Davis Campus: Recycle at any bottle/can/containers recycling bin or mixed recycling bin on campus.

UC Davis Health: Recycle plastic #1-#2, CRV in mixed recycling container.

Bulk Recycling

Sometimes a desk side recycle bin won’t do. For office, residence hall or apartment moves or major clean-outs, there are several options:

Davis Campus:

UC Davis Health: For large office moves or major clean-outs please coordinate as needed with EVS and PO&M. Departments should assess items prior to disposal to ensure compliant and sustainable disposal practices (see medical supply donations).

Can (food/beverage)

Davis Campus: Recycle aluminum, tin and steel cans at any bottle/can/containers recycling bin or mixed recycling bin on campus.

UC Davis Health: Place in mixed recycling container.

Candy bar wrapper

Dispose of in landfill/trash container.

Cardboard

Davis Campus: Break down and recycle at any tan cardboard dumpster on campus (usually located in parking lot enclosure or loading dock of buildings).

UC Davis Health: Break down all cardboard and place in appropriate recycling bin, or in designated area separate from landfill/trash.

Cassette Tape

Currently not recyclable on campus. Dispose of in landfill/trash container.

CD

Davis Campus: Currently not recyclable on campus. Dispose of in landfill/trash container.

UC Davis Health: If only a few, place into Confidential Document Shredding console. If more than a few, contact the Operational Waste Programs Administrator to coordinate a pickup by our confidential document vendor.

Cell Phone

Davis Campus: Drop off at any multi-bin location on campus or intercampus mail to "Distribution Services". Find the closest multi-bin location on the campus Sustainability Map.

UC Davis Health: Contact IT for return.

Chip Bag

Currently not recyclable on campus. Dispose of in landfill/trash container.

Clothing

Davis Campus: Donate to the Aggie Reuse Store if still in good condition.

 

Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) bulb

Davis Campus: see Light Bulb

UC Davis Health: It is illegal in the state of California to throw CFLs in the trash due to the mercury content in the bulb. Create PO&M Service Request (BEATS) for Electrical – Electrical Support.

Compost

See food waste/organics.

Computer and Peripheral

Davis Campus: Contact Aggie Surplus for resale options or recycling.

UC Davis Health: Contact IT.

Confidential Document Shredding

Davis Campus:

  • On campus: Contact Distribution Services for on-campus paper shredding options and charges. Learn more about secure document handling.
  • Off campus: Off campus options for campus shredding services are also available through Viking Shred and Iron Mountain.

UC Davis Health: Place in the appropriate confidential document console / container.

Containers (non-food/beverage)

Davis Campus:

DVD

Davis Campus: Currently not recyclable on campus. Dispose of in landfill/trash container.

UC Davis Health: If only a few, place into Confidential Document Shredding console. If more than a few, contact the Operational Waste Programs Administrator to coordinate a pickup by our Confidential Document vendor.

Electronics

It is illegal to throw electronics in the trash in the state of California.

Davis Campus:

  • Waste generated on campus (non-residential): For large electronics contact Aggie Surplus for resale options or recycling. Drop off small electronics at any multi-bin location on campus or intercampus mail to "Distribution Services". Find the closest multi-bin location on the campus Sustainability Map.
  • Waste generated on campus (residential): Contact the Student Housing Sustainability Office here.
  • Waste generated off campus (residential): Please take household hazardous waste (HHW) such as electronic waste to your local HHW facility (City of Davis residents use the Yolo County Landfill).

UC Davis Health: Create PO&M Service Request (BEATS) for pick up by Move Crew.

Energy Bar Wrapper

Currently not recyclable on campus. Dispose of in landfill/trash container.

Expanded Polystyrene Foam

Hold for re-use where possible (e.g. foam coolers). Landfill/trash container if must be disposed.

To avoid foam coolers when buying lab products, please consider the following options:

  • Purchase bulk orders at the Scientific Store
  • Use the NEB vending machine in Vet Med 3B
  • Buy from companies that offer free shipping labels for empty foam containers (e.g. NEB and Sigma)

Film (plastic)

Currently not recyclable on campus. Dispose of in landfill/trash container.

Floppy Disk

Davis Campus: Currently not recyclable on campus. Dispose of in landfill/trash container.

UC Davis Health: If only a few, place into Confidential Document Shredding console. If more than a few, contact the Waste Programs Administrator to coordinate a pickup by our Confidential Document vendor.

Fluorescent bulb/tube

It is illegal in the state of California to throw fluorescent bulbs/tubes in the trash due to the mercury content in the bulb.

UC Davis Health: Create PO&M Service Request (BEATS) for Electrical – Electrical Support.

Food Waste/Organics

Davis Campus: Composting is available in a limited number of locations. Compost at a nearby compost bin if one is available in your vicinity. If not, dispose of in a landfill/trash bin. You can find locations that accept compostables on the Campus Sustainability Map.

UC Davis Health: Place in compost container. Food/organics waste only, no “compostable” containers, utensils, cups, etc.

Freezer

Davis Campus: see Refrigerator 

UC Davis Health: Create PO&M Service Request (BEATS) for pick up by Move Crew.

Glass (food/beverage)

Davis Campus: Recycle at any bottle/can/containers recycling bin or mixed recycling bin on campus. Laboratory glass is not recyclable and must be disposed of separately.

UC Davis Health (non-medical waste): Place in mixed recyclables recycling container. If in a lab area, coordinate as needed to place in a glass collection box. If a significant amount, contact EH&S and EVS to ensure not a safety risk to handle/dispose.

Grocery Bag (Paper)

Recycle clean paper grocery bags in any mixed paper or mixed recycling bin.

Hardbound Book

Davis Campus: Request a separate bin to recycle hardbound books from Custodial Services for an additional charge.

UC Davis Health: If no metal or plastic binding, place in mixed recycling container. Otherwise, remove binding or place in landfill/trash. If large amount, please contact EVS for separate container to prevent overflow and heavy containers.

Household Hazardous Waste

Davis Campus: Many products used in homes and workplaces are hazardous and need to be disposed of safely, including glues and adhesives, nail polish and remover, solvents, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, etc. California law prohibits throwing many of these products in the trash. List of materials that cannot be put in the trash.

Inkjet Cartridge

Davis Campus: Drop off at any multi-bin location on campus or intercampus mail to "Distribution Services". Find the closest multi-bin location on the campus Sustainability Map.

UC Davis Health: Place used ink jet in box that new one came in, label “Recycle Toner” and place with outgoing internal mail.

Junk Mail

Recycle in any mixed paper or mixed recycling bin. Remove any plastic film, foil, or adhesive sections.

Kitchen Appliance

Davis campus:

  • Waste generated on campus (non-residential): Contact Aggie Surplus for resale options or recycling.
  • Waste generated on campus (residence halls): Contact the Student Housing Sustainability Office.
  • Waste generated off campus: Please take household hazardous waste (HHW) such as electronic waste to your local HHW facility (City of Davis residents use the Yolo County Landfill).

UC Davis Health: Create PO&M Service Request (BEATS) for pick up by Move Crew.

Landfill

Davis Campus: Dispose of in landfill/trash container. There are many creative ways to reduce your landfill waste. For more ideas, stop by the Aggie Reuse Store next to the EcoHub or contact Waste Reduction and Recycling.

Light Bulb

It is illegal to throw fluorescent bulbs/tubes or CFL bulbs in the trash in California due to the mercury content in the bulbs.

Davis campus:

  • Waste generated on campus (non-residential): Contact Aggie Surplus for resale options or recycling.
  • Waste generated on campus (residence halls): Contact the Student Housing Sustainability Office.
  • Waste generated off campus: Please take household hazardous waste (HHW) such as electronic waste to your local HHW facility (City of Davis residents use the Yolo County Landfill).

UC Davis Health: Create PO&M Service Request (BEATS) for Electrical – Electrical Support.

Magazine

Recycle in any mixed paper or mixed recycling bin.

Metal

See scrap metal.

Microfilm

Currently not recyclable on campus. Dispose of in landfill/trash container.

Newspaper

Recycle in any mixed paper or mixed recycling bin.

Office Appliance

Davis campus:

  • Waste generated on campus (non-residential): Contact Aggie Surplus for resale options or recycling.
  • Waste generated on campus (residence halls): Contact the Student Housing Sustainability Office.
  • Waste generated off campus: Please take household hazardous waste (HHW) such as electronic waste to your local HHW facility (City of Davis residents use the Yolo County Landfill).

UC Davis Health: Create PO&M Service Request (BEATS) for pick up by Move Crew.

Office Supplies

Davis Campus: Contact Aggie Surplus for resale options or donate to Aggie Reuse Store.

UC Davis Health: Reuse within department or donate to Aggie Surplus, create PO&M Service Request (BEATS) for pick up by Move Crew.

Packing Peanuts/Air Pillows

Davis Campus: Currently not recyclable on campus. For reuse, drop off at your nearest United Parcel Service store (e.g. 140 B Street, Suite #5, Davis, CA).

UC Davis Health: Hold for re-use. Landfill/trash container if must be disposed.

Paper

Davis Campus: Recycle at any mixed paper bin or mixed recycling bin on campus. If you are moving out or doing spring cleaning in your office you can get a larger paper bin to fill with papers and files you no longer need. For information on how to request that, go the Bulk Recycling section of this guide.

UC Davis Health: Place non-confidential paper in mixed recycling container.

Paper Shredding

See Confidential Shredding.

Paperback Book

Davis Campus: Recycle in paper recycling bin if in small amounts. If large amount, please contact Custodial Services  for separate bin to prevent overflow) for an additional charge).

UC Davis Health: Place in mixed recycling container.
If large amount, please contact EVS for separate container to prevent overflow and heavy containers.

Paperboard/Chipboard (e.g. cereal and tissue boxes)

Recycle in any mixed paper or mixed recycling bin.

Phone Book

Recycle in any mixed paper or mixed recycling bin.

Pipette Tip Box

Recycle at any bottle/can/containers recycling bin or mixed recycling bin on campus. No pipette tips.

PLA (Polyactic Acid)

Davis Campus: Compost at a nearby compost bin. You can find locations that accept compostables on the Campus Sustainability Map.

Plastic Bag/Film

Davis Campus: Currently not recyclable on campus. Dispose of in landfill/trash container or take clean, dry bags to Target or Safeway in South Davis for recycling.

UC Davis Health: Dispose of in landfill/trash container.

Plastic Container (#1-2)

Recycle at any bottle/can/containers recycling bin or mixed recycling bin on campus.

Plastic Container (#3-7)

Plastics #3-7 have a limited recycling market. Choose plastics #1 or #2 whenever you can.

Davis Campus:  Recycle #3-6 containers at any bottle/can/containers recycling bin or mixed recycling bin on campus. Compost #7 PLA containers in compost bin and dispose of all other #7 containers.

UC Davis Health: Dispose of plastics #3-7 in landfill/trash container.

Plastic wrap

Dispose of in landfill/trash container.

Pyrex Glass

Currently not recyclable on campus. Dispose of in landfill/trash container.

Red Solo Cup

See Plastic container (#3-7).

Refrigerator (Mini or Full Size)

Davis campus:

  • Waste generated on campus (non-residential): Contact Aggie Surplus for resale options or recycling.
  • Waste generated on campus (residence halls): Contact the Student Housing Sustainability Office.
  • Waste generated off campus: Please take household hazardous waste (HHW) such as electronic waste to your local HHW facility (City of Davis residents use the Yolo County Landfill).

UC Davis Health: Create PO&M Service Request (BEATS) for pick up by Move Crew.

Scrap Metal

Davis Campus: Recycle at one of these designated metal recycling locations:

  • Primary drop-off site: Waste Water Treatment Plant
  • Physics & Geology
  • Western Ag Center
  • Crocker Lab
  • Hoagland Hall
  • Art Building
  • South Silo
  • Facilities Management
  • Aggie Surplus (formerly Bargain Barn)

UC Davis Health:

  • Metal such as cans (aluminum, tin, and steel), clean foil - place in mixed recycling container.
  • Project generated metal coordinated on case by case basis.
  • Large volume amounts create PO&M Service Request (BEATS) for pick up by Move Crew.

Small Electronic

Davis Campus:

  • Waste generated on campus (non-residential): Drop off at any multi-bin location or intercampus mail to "Distribution Services". Find the closest multi-bin location on the campus Sustainability Map
  • Waste generated on campus (residential): Contact the Student Housing Sustainability Office here.
  • Waste generated off campus (residential): Please take household hazardous waste (HHW) such as electronic waste to your local HHW facility (City of Davis residents use the Yolo County Landfill.)

Softbound Book

Recycle in mixed paper recycling bin if in small amounts. If large amounts, see Bulk Recycling section of this guide.

Steel Cans

Recycle in bottle/can/containers recycling bin or mixed recycling bin.

Sticky Notes

Recycle in mixed paper or mixed recycling bin. Please tear off the sticky adhesive area before recycling.

Tin Can

Recycle in bottle/can/containers recycling bin or mixed recycling bin.

Toner

Davis Campus: Label box/container and intercampus mail to "Distribution Services".

UC Davis Health: Place used toner in box that new one came in, label “Recycle Toner” and place with outgoing UCD internal mail

Transparency

Currently not recyclable on campus. Dispose of in landfill/trash container.

UPS Battery

Davis Campus: Contact Aggie Surplus for resale options or recycling.

Video Tapes (VHS)

Currently not recyclable on campus. Dispose of in landfill/trash container.

Visual Equipment

Davis Campus:

  • Waste generated on campus (non-residential): Contact Aggie Surplus for resale options or recycling.
  • Waste generated on campus (residential): Contact the Student Housing Sustainability Office here.
  • Waste generated off campus (residential): Please take household hazardous waste (HHW) such as electronic waste to your local HHW facility (City of Davis residents use the Yolo County Landfill).

Wooden Pallet

Davis Campus: Contact Utilities (Solid Waste) for recycling information and drop off locations.

UC Davis Health: Return to Vendor or Distribution for re-use. Pallets for disposal are collected at the 14th Ave Warehouse.

Writing Instruments

Currently not recyclable on campus. Dispose of in landfill/trash container. Choose refillable pens and pencils when you can, and reduce waste by just replacing the lead or ink refills.