Frequently Asked Questions:

FAQs:

What can be recycled at NC State?
We collect mixed paper, sorted paper, and bottles and cans at NCSU in our blue bins. We also take cardboard, which would go into a green cardboard dumpster on campus.
Check the “What Can Be Recycled” section for more information.

What is the difference between mixed and sorted paper?
Mixed paper consists of magazines, newspapers, chipboard (cereal boxes, etc.), folders, post-it notes, etc. Sorted paper is basically anything that you can put in your printer, such as white paper, colored paper, and notebook paper.

What types of items can be put in the “Bottles and Cans” bin?
Plastic bottles labeled #1-7, six-pack rings, aluminum cans, steel cans, glass jars, and gabeled top containers (orange juice cartons, soy milk cartons, etc.) can all be recycled in the “Bottles and Cans” bin.

Do my items need to be rinsed out before I can recycle them? What about bottle caps?
While it is better to rinse out items and remove caps, it is not necessary for the items to be recycled.

Can Solo plastic cups be recycled?
Solo plastic cups can be recycled, but not all recycling facilities can accept them. We cannot accept them to recycle at NCSU.

Can pizza boxes be recycled?
Sometimes; it depends on the amount of food residue in the box. If there is no residue left over, then the box can be recycled with the cardboard. If it turns out the bottom has lots of residue, but the top is fine, then you can rip the top off, recycle it , and throw away the bottom.

Can my yogurt containers be recycled?
Yogurt containers can be recycled, but we cannot currently accept them at NCSU. Check out the “Above and Beyond” section for more information about how you can recycle them.

Can I recycle my old electronics?
Student Residence: Small electronics such as MP3 players , PDAs, and cell phones can be dropped off at our Sullivan site.
Larger electronics can be taken to the Wake County Landfill. Click here for more information. We also hold “E-waste” events on campus where you can bring your electronics to be recycled for free (or a minimal cost for TVs)!

Campus electronics: Surplus will take pretty much all electronics to be recycled.

Can I recycle my old batteries?
Batteries can be collected and dropped off at our Sullivan site. We also have one battery collection site in Bragaw on campus.

I live off-campus and want to recycle, but my apartment complex/neighborhood doesn’t provide it. What should I do?
You can contact the City of Raleigh to request curbside recycling for your house, or you can talk to your apartment complex manager about getting a free Multi-family central site for the apartment complex.
Click here to find out how.

I still have some recycling questions. What should I do?
Feel free to contact our office for answers to any other questions you may have!