What to recycle

VCU Recycling accepts a wide variety of paper products and other materials for recycling.

  • Cardboard boxes
    Remove Styrofoam packing material and breakdown. We also accept empty pizza boxes.

  • Mixed paper
    Cereal and food boxes, file folders of all colors, hardcover textbooks, junk mail, magazines, newspapers, paperback books, phone books, shredded office paper (place in a bag for collection), spiral notebooks, white and colored paper.

  • Bottles and cans
    Aluminum cans, glass beverage containers of all colors (no lab or plate glass), plastic containers, narrow neck only coded #1-PETE, water and soda bottles #2-HDPE, empty detergent/liquid storage containers, juice/milk containers #7, other plastic narrow neck bottles.

  • Electronics
    Computers, hard drives, keyboards, monitors, fax machines, printers, scanners and microwaves. Departments need to surplus these items prior to them be accepted for recycling.

  • Ink-jet and toner cartridges
    Place your used ink-jet or toner cartridges in the prepaid mailing envelope provided by the manufacturer and have VCU Mail pick up.

    Ball Office Products will pick up used ink-jet and toner cartridges when orders are placed for office supplies.

    Request a HP box for the placement of cartridges. Submit a work order to the facilities service center at (804) 828-9444 or through QuikFM for a box or pick up as needed.

  • Scrap metal
    Any type of steel and metals to include such items as chairs, desks, filing cabinets, lab and office equipment. Note: These items will be evaluated by the VCU Surplus Property Manger to determine their condition for either reuse or recycling. The Department of General Services will arrange for pick-up.

  • Wood
    Wood pallets and other non-treated wood items. No plywood or particle board.

VCU Recycling