Kansas State University is committed to becoming a more environmentally aware community by expanding recycling efforts across the campus. Our goal is to enhance the campus environment, minimize the waste stream, decrease waste management costs and help our planet.
The Recycling Program started in 1989 and is coordinated through the Facilities / Custodial Department. Currently 30 buildings are participating in some form of recycling. The Program is now being restructured to better serve the University community. We are relocating existing receptacles, adding new receptacles, including new products and increasing staff in order to improve recycling efforts.
The bulk of recyclable materials generated at K-State is mixed paper, cardboard, newspapers, and magazines. K-State recycles many other materials.
Here's what you can recycle at K-State:
K-State Does Not Recycle:
Adhesives, Garbage, Bright Fluorescent paper, Wrap from reams of paper, Binders, Brown Envelopes, Carbon paper, Paper towels, Food Tape, Food wrappers, Plastic or Styrofoam cups.
Recycle bins are located across campus both inside and outside buildings.
Go to the lists of campus locations.
Everyone succeeds if we all recycle. Various collection bins are located around campus (find out where). Please do your part by finding out what recycling services are available for you.
For Faculty/Staff: KSU building deskside bin program. This program is specifically designed with special bins located in the offices of faculty and staff. Recycled materials include newspaper, mixed paper, and magazines. For more information, contact KSU Facilities at 532-6446, recycles@ksu.edu .
For Students: Living groups, dormitories, and Greek programs. Many living groups and dormitories have implemented their own recycling programs in coordination with KSU Recycling pickup. There is also an exciting new Greeks Going Green program involving most fraternities. For more information on the GGG program, contact Molly Hamm, mollyh@ksu.edu.

K-State's new recycling truck.
New for 2009 is K-State's involvement with the 10-week national RecycleMania program. This friendly competition among other colleges and universities aims to promote campus recycling programs while reducing our waste flow to landfills and impact on the planet. 
How can you be involved? Several student groups are participating.
Go to the K-State RecyleMania page.
Download a copy of the KSU Recycle Mania poster. (pdf, 140kb)
Check back regularly for weekly K-State recycling totals and more details on the competition. For more information on RecycleMania. Go Cats!
Week 9: March 15-20, 2009:
Cardboard = 3,310 lbs.
Mixed Paper = 14,940 lbs.
Newspaper = 2,160 lbs.
Magazines = 1,590 lbs.
Plastic = 262.8 lbs.
Aluminum = 196.8 lbs.
Weekly Total = 22,459 lbs.
This translates to .92 lbs. per person.
See more K-State information and all weekly totals at the K-State RecycleMania page.
This handy brochure contains all the
recycling information at K-State.
Download the Brochure (pdf, 247kb)
The U.S. throws away around 200 million tons of garbage each day. The average American generates about 4 pounds of garbage each day at home and at work. That is approximately 1,460 pounds per person per year!

Deskside office bin.
We throw away enough aluminum every three months to rebuild our entire commercial air fleet. The energy saved from recycling one aluminum can will run your TV for 3 hours. Recycling aluminum takes only 5% of the energy needed to manufacture it from raw material.