Recycling
Recycling at Loyola is easy and convenient. Simply place recyclable items in the recycling bins located throughout campus.
All of Loyola's recycling is "single stream," which means that all recyclable items can be placed into the same bin. Items are hauled from campus to a recycling facility where individual materials like cardboard, paper, aluminum, and some types of plastic are sorted for resale and remanufacturing.
What can you recycle at Loyola?
Paper
All paper including glossy paper, paper with envelopes, textbooks, newspaper, and paper with staples is accepted. As of 2023, paper cups without lids, straws, or food/liquid residue can also be accepted.
Cardboard
Please break down cardboard if possible and remove any packing materials (plastic, foam, etc.).
Metal
All aluminum and tin cans are accepted. Small items are no problem.
Glass
Glass bottles and other containers are accepted. Please put broken glass or sheet glass in the landfill bin.
Plastic
Plastics labeled # 1-5 and 7 are accepted. Focus on plastics that are clearly labeled with the recycling arrow and are in large volume including packaging, containers, and other items.
For everything listed, please empty any liquids in a nearby sink before putting the container in the recycling. Anything that has significant food or grease on it should be composted or landfilled. Learn more about composting at Loyola.
Sorting Loyola's Recycling
Curious about how Loyola's recyclable material is sorted? Check out this video from our waste hauler, LRS, on how their recycling facility, The Exchange, works!
The Cycle & Recycle Center
Have items like plastic film, disposable masks, toothpaste tubes, and more that are not accepted in regular recycling? The Cycle & Recycle Center can help you divert these hard-to-recycle items from the landfill! Visit the Cycle & Recycle Center in the Main Parking Structure on the Lake Shore Campus and make sure to check in with active programs before you go - we're always updating with new recycling and reuse opportunities!
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Where is it located?
The Cycle & Recycle Center is located on the south side of Loyola’s main parking garage, just past the Welcome Center.
What can I recycle here?
The center collects and recycles items that are not accepted in regular recycling (blue bins):
Current programs (updated September 2024):
- Plastic bags and other plastic film
- Disposable face masks
- Gently and well-used clothing
- Used books
- Spray bottles and squeeze trigger heads
- Razors and razor packaging
- Empty sauce containers and packets (ketchup packets, coffee creamer pods, dipping cups, etc.)
- Empty oral care items (toothpaste tubes, toothbrushes, mouthwash bottles and caps)
- Stick deodorant containers and caps (aerosol containers not accepted)
- Eye care packaging (contact lens and eye drop packaging, contact lens solution caps)
- Hair care tools (curling irons, hair dryers, etc.)
- Air freshener plugs and cartridges
- Unpopped plastic air cushions for shipping and packing peanuts
- Small electronics
What if the center doesn’t collect an item I need to have recycled? We are always looking for ways to expand our program and add new items for the collection. Feel free to email us with suggestions or questions at sustainability@luc.edu.
When can I drop off my items?
Anytime! We have bins for all collected items sitting in our corner of the parking garage, so stop by whenever is most convenient for you
Items that require special recycling process
- Computers and Computer Peripherals – Anything with a Loyola Asset Tag will be recycled by Information and Technology Services. Make a request at the ITS Service Desk or email helpdesk@luc.edu.
- Batteries, Printer Cartridges, Small Electronics – All batteries, toner cartridges, small electronics including flash drives, cables, power blocks, cell phones, and other materials are accepted at Digital Media Labs on all campuses. For a listing of locations and hours visit Digital Media Services.
- Large Electronics – Large items such as appliances and special equipment can be removed and, sometimes, recycled by placing a Work Order Request with Facilities.
- Special Wastes – For medical, hazardous, chemical or other special wastes contact your campus environmental safety manager and they can support you in proper disposal.
- Toner Cartridges - Warehouse Direct, Loyola's preferred vendor for office supplies, will accept used printer toner cartridges for recycling. Just inform WD that you have cartridges to recycle and they will pick them up at the next delivery time on campus.
- Vinyl Banners – You can donate that used banner and Loyola will ‘upcycle’ it into a tote bag or laptop sleeve. We accept mesh-style or vinyl banners in good condition at room 216 in the SES building. Any damaged or thread-bare banners should be thrown away.
- Large volume materials – If you have a large volume of material that must be disposed of, please contact Facilities by placing a Work Order Request and requesting special removal. This is useful when moving or cleaning out spaces on campus and may be handled as part of a campus move.
Get in touch
Loyola's recycling program is managed by the Facilities Management Department which partners with the Department of Purchasing, the Office of Sustainability and Residence Life Office to reach out across the campus to address waste issues.
If you would like someone to discuss Loyola's recycling program at a staff or departmental meeting, please contact the Office of Sustainability. If you would like to address recycling in your Residence Hall, contact your Residence Hall Director.
Recycling at Loyola is easy and convenient. Simply place recyclable items in the recycling bins located throughout campus.
All of Loyola's recycling is "single stream," which means that all recyclable items can be placed into the same bin. Items are hauled from campus to a recycling facility where individual materials like cardboard, paper, aluminum, and some types of plastic are sorted for resale and remanufacturing.
For everything listed, please empty any liquids in a nearby sink before putting the container in the recycling. Anything that has significant food or grease on it should be composted or landfilled. Learn more about composting at Loyola.
Have items like plastic film, disposable masks, toothpaste tubes, and more that are not accepted in regular recycling? The Cycle & Recycle Center can help you divert these hard-to-recycle items from the landfill! Visit the Cycle & Recycle Center in the Main Parking Structure on the Lake Shore Campus and make sure to check in with active programs before you go - we're always updating with new recycling and reuse opportunities!
Get in touch
Loyola's recycling program is managed by the Facilities Management Department which partners with the Department of Purchasing, the Office of Sustainability and Residence Life Office to reach out across the campus to address waste issues.
If you would like someone to discuss Loyola's recycling program at a staff or departmental meeting, please contact the Office of Sustainability. If you would like to address recycling in your Residence Hall, contact your Residence Hall Director.