Trash & Recycling
Facilities Management supports campus trash and recycling services, including recycling guidance, special item handling, and shredding pickup information. Use this page to find hours, accepted materials, and contact information.
Contact Information
Hours of Operation
Monday through Friday
7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Request Shredding Pickup
Departments with boxes of paper for shredding can request pickup through Central Receiving’s Shredding Services.
General Information
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- Recycling containers are available at most campus buildings.
- Materials should be prepared according to recycling guidelines.
- Shredding pickup is available for departments through Central Receiving.
- Special disposal guidance is available for batteries, paint, and surplus items.
What can be Recycled?
Review accepted materials and preparation guidance by category.
✓ Accepted:
- Office paper, envelopes, sticky notes
- Magazines, newspapers, catalogs
- Paperbacks and hardback books
- Scratch paper, blueprints
- File purges without metal fasteners
✕ Not accepted:
- Paper towels, napkins, or tissues
- Folders with metal fasteners
- Paper cups, plates, or packaging
- Food-soiled paper
- Bound books such as dictionaries or Bibles
Note: Remove metal fasteners, such as paper clips, binder clips, and spiral-bound material, before recycling paper.
✓ Accepted:
- Clean corrugated cardboard
- Shipping boxes (flattened)
- Brown packing paper
✕ Not accepted:
- Wax-coated cardboard
- Food-soiled pizza boxes
- Cardboard with foam or plastic attached
Note: Flatten boxes before recycling to save space.
✓ Accepted:
- Aluminum cans
- Steel and tin cans
- Plastic bottles and jugs
- Glass bottles and jars (if accepted)
✕ Not accepted:
- Containers with liquid inside
- Plastic bags or film
- Styrofoam
- Hazardous material containers
Note: Empty and rinse containers before recycling.
✓ Accepted:
- Rechargeable batteries
- Lithium-ion batteries
- Alkaline batteries (if approved by program)
✕ Not accepted:
- Damaged or leaking batteries
- Improperly packaged batteries
Note: Do not place batteries in standard recycling bins. Follow campus disposal procedures.
✓ Accepted:
- Latex paint (depending on program guidelines)
- Unopened or usable paint for reuse
✕ Not accepted:
- Oil-based paint (without special handling)
- Paint disposed of in regular trash or drains
Note: Contact your department or Facilities Management for proper paint disposal instructions.
✓ Accepted:
- Furniture in reusable condition
- Office equipment
- Electronics for redistribution
✕ Not accepted:
- Broken or unsafe furniture
- Items not approved for reuse
Note: Submit surplus requests through the appropriate campus process for evaluation and pickup.
Program Highlights
CAFR Award Recognition
The Colorado Association for Recycling (CAFR) recognized Facilities Management’s Integrated Solid Waste Program with the Outstanding Government Recycling/Waste Diversion Program Award.
Since its expansion following a 1990 grant, CSU’s recycling program has significantly improved waste collection and diversion across campus.
CSU currently diverts approximately 55.1% of solid waste from landfills, with additional materials reused or donated through programs like Surplus Property and Leave-It Behind.
RecycleMania
RecycleMania is a national, 10-week competition that encourages colleges and universities to reduce waste and increase recycling efforts.
Schools compete in categories such as recycling per capita, total recyclables collected, and waste reduction performance.
Colorado State University has participated annually since 2004 and consistently ranks in the top 5% nationwide in the Grand Champion category.