Reuse, Compost & Recycling

Learn where to dispose of waste at Seattle University and how to donate items.

  1. Institute for Environmental Justice and Sustainability
  2. Campus Sustainability
  3. Reuse, Compost & Recycling

Follow the guide below to find out “what goes where” on campus. For any questions about waste disposal and management at Seattle University, contact Nathan Wolk, Recycling Coordinator and Compost Technician, at wolknathanie@seattleu.edu. 

Graphic showing what goes in landfill (snack bags, plastic bags, condiment packets, wrappers, loose bottle caps, foil lids), compost (food waste, food-soiled paper, compostable to-go ware), and recycle (must be clean and empty. bottles and cans, cartons, paper and cardboard, and plastic containers)

Green compost graphic

What goes in the green compost bin?

  • Any and ALL food scraps
  • Food-soiled paper (like paper plates or pizza boxes) and compostable to-go ware
  • All to-go ware from Seattle University dining, cafe, and catering services. This includes paper to-go ware, and disposable utensils, cups, and straws.
  • Plant and yard waste
  • Look out:  Coffee cups from off-campus cafes may not be compostable. Check the label or ask the barista if cups are compostable before disposing.
  • Learn about what you can compost with information from Seattle Public Utilities
Graphic of paper with blue recycle sign

What goes in the blue recycle bin?

  • All recyclables must be clean, dry, and empty
  • Paper: All colors, coated cartons and cups too. Must be dry (wet, food-soiled, or shredded uncoated paper goes in the compost bin)
  • Cardboard: Flatten and place next to a recycling bin
  • Plastic: Must be empty, clean and dry. Loose lids must be 3 inches or wider
  • Metal: All types of empty metal containers and scrap metal
  • Glass: All types of empty glass containers
Graphic of brown trash can

What goes in the brown landfill bin?

  • Non-recyclable and non-compostable items like snack bags, plastic bags, condiment packets, wrappers, loose bottle caps, items smaller than 3 inches, and foil lids
Graphic with drawings of plastic wrap, a pile of papers, and batteries

What to do with items that are hard to recycle or can be donated?

  • Students:
    • Use the reusable items bins located in the lobby of residence halls to donate the following items: 
      • Clothing
      • Electronics
      • Small appliances
      • Books
      • Office supplies and equipment
  • Faculty and Staff:
    • Submit a work order to donate or recycle...
      • Batteries & small electronics
      • Reusable items to donate (office supplies and equipment, textiles, books)
      • Plastic film products: If you can stretch the plastic easily with your thumb, it is most likely recyclable. Collect stretchable plastic consolidated into another plastic bag before submitting a work order
      • Styrofoam
      • Toner and printer cartridges
      • Scrap metal
  • Recycle confidential documents in a confidential recycling bin. These bins are typically in office suites; contact your department's administrative staff to learn where your bin is located.

Contact

Nathan Wolk

Recycling Coordinator and Compost Technician