Waste Sorting Guide
Use the waste sorting guide to learn what belongs in recycling, compost, landfill, cardboard, and techno trash collection areas across campus.
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 Trash & Recycling
Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Reach out for trash and recycling service questions or support.
Request Shredding Pickup
Departments with boxes of paper for shredding can request pickup through Central Receiving’s Shredding Services.
Waste Sorting Categories
Use the categories below as a quick text reference for campus waste sorting. For the full visual guide, use the Waste Sorting Guide linked above.
Recycling
Clean and empty bottles, jars, jugs, tubs, cans, paper, and cardboard are accepted in campus recycling collection.
Cardboard
Flatten clean cardboard boxes before placing them in designated cardboard recycling areas.
Compost
Food scraps, compostable serviceware, napkins, paper towels, and other approved compostables may go in compost collection.
Landfill
Trash such as plastic film, foam, chip bags, straws, and other non-recyclable or non-compostable materials belongs in landfill.
Techno Trash
Batteries, light bulbs, ink cartridges, and other designated electronic or special waste items should be collected separately.
Recognition and Recycling Programs
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.