Trash
Styrofoam
Egg cartons, meat trays, to-go containers, cups or any Styrofoam previously in contact with food must go into the trash. Packaging Styrofoam is not recyclable.
Paper coffee cups
Most paper coffee cups contain a coating for insulation and waterproofing, which makes them difficult to be recycled. Please dispose of your cup in the trash. (Cardboard sleeves can be removed and placed into the recycling bins.)
Food
If compost bins are not avaliable, place food scraps and food contaminate materials in the trash.
Over 100,000 of students, faculty, and staff step on Ohio State’s campus every day and use a wide array materials- from food to furniture, from paper to medical supplies. When possible, Ohio State works to divert materials away from the landfill through recycling, composting, reuse, and donation. We also seek to minimize our waste footprint by eliminating it from the system.
Reduce paper consumption
In collaboration with AASHE and Root Solutions, Ohio State is implementing a behavior-based paper savings program to reduce paper consumption across campus. Through research and analyses, we are determining barriers individuals face when using office printers. We will implement best practices to achieve paper savings for the university.
Reduce paper towel usage
In 2018, Ohio State launched a pilot to replace paper towels with hand dryers throughout 11 campus buildings. Since the installation, Ohio State avoids sending an average of 16 tons of paper towels to the landfill each month.
University-wide standards
Ohio State set a goal to develop university-wide standards for targeted environmentally preferred products and fully implement preferable products and services by 2025. This measure supports the Zero Waste Goal by assisting the university to procure durable products and those that are easily diverted from the landfill.