Waste less, reuse more and recycle effectively

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• Recycle effectively

  What is recyclable on campus?

  UH offers single-stream recycling throughout the entire campus. Any recycling bin on campus accepts the following items:

  • Plastics #1-5 and 7 (Styrofoam and other #6 plastics are not accepted)
  • Metals: aluminum, steel and tin (cans, bottles, foil, paperclips, small metal pieces)
  • Tetrapaks: milk cartons, soup containers
  • Paper: white or colored paper, magazines, newspaper, paper board, construction paper, card stock
  • Glass: bottles, jars
  • Corrugated cardboard: This is the only item the University recycles separately. If the cardboard doesn’t fit in a recycle bin, leave it next to or behind a bin for pick up.
  • Print out the below graphic as a handy guide! You can tack it up over your recycling bin, or keep a copy of the image on your phone.

  All recyclables should be free from food and other contaminants. Containers should be emptied, rinsed and dried when possible.

  

  Need to request recycling bins for your office or department? If you have no blue bins in your building, you can request them using "Fix It" through accessUH. Click here for a handy guide to help you through the process.

  Used ink and toner cartridges: Students may recycle used ink and toner cartridges at Office Depot or at a local Recycling Center in Houston.

  Office administrators may go through Tejas Office Products. When placing a supply order with Tejas, make a note under 'Special Instructions' that says "Pick up empty toner cartridges to be recycled" and their delivery driver will pick them up.

  Plastic Film: Plastic films like grocery bags, ziplock bags, and shrink wrap cannot be recycled with other items. Most all grocery stores will have a plastic bag receptacle. Save up your plastic film in its own container and then take that to the nearest grocery store.

  Didn't find what you were looking for? Email sustainability@uh.edu with your recycling questions.

   

  What about OFF campus?

  The best resource for City of Houston resident recycling info is this handy Recycling page.

  If you live in Unincorporated Harris County, or a surrounding town (Pearland, Sugar Land, The Woodlands, etc) please check with your local recycling authorities for best practices.

• Reduce the demand for disposables

  Bring your own water bottle, bag for life, reusable lunch box and fabric napkins to cut down on throw away packaging and single-use items. 

  Did you know all that at most of our campus Cafes, you can get discounts on your coffee if you bring your own reusable coffee cup? Save money and the environment 

• Give your old items a second life

  Check out our student-run cooperative Cougar Closet! It is our communcal closet on campus available for all currenlty enrolled UH Students

  Try repairing or upcycling a product to give it a new use and donate unwanted items to local charity shops rather than throwing them away them. 

• Design waste out of your life

  Reusables are a great way of preventing personal waste, but what about waste from other University activities? 

  • Go paperless where possible, and when you need to print something do so double sided 
  • Organising an event? Use our sustainable event checklist  
  • Plan your meals, keep track of what’s in the fridge, don’t cook more than you need and freeze or share leftovers with friends. You’ll save money and help the environment in the process – win-win!