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Office of Sustainability
University of Mississippi

Ole Miss Recycles

What Materials Can You Recycle?

The University of Mississippi collects four major categories of materials in blue recycling bins located in most campus buildings: 1) Aluminum Cans; 2) Paper/Cardboard; 3) Plastic; and 4) e-waste

Aluminum and Steel Cans

All aluminum and steel cans are accepted. Most aluminum cans are viewed as soda cans; some pet food cans are also aluminum. Steel cans like food cans, shaving cream, deodorant and some pet food cans are all accepted. Please rinse all cans and put them loosely into the recycling bin (no paper or plastic bags).

 

Paper and Cardboard

  • Newspapers
  • Cardboard
  • Magazines
  • Softback textbooks (less than 1/2 inch thick with glue binding)
  • Phone books
  • Other common paper items: paper bags, junk mail, manila folders, white or colored office paper, envelopes, and envelopes with a plastic window

Plastics

Aluminum cans and plastics are collected together everywhere on campus, regardless of what the label on the bin may indicate (such as “plastic bottles only”). There is no need to separate aluminum from plastic on campus nor is it necessary to remove the top of your plastic bottle before recycling. We do ask that you remove any liquids from the bottle before placing the bottle into the recycling bin.

The plastics industry has developed a coding system to help consumers identify different types of plastic resins used in packaging. The codes can be found on the bottom of most plastic containers. Of the many types of plastics used in packaging, two types of plastic are currently recycled at the Oxford campus, including:

  • #1 Plastic (ex. soda/water bottles)
  • #2 Plastic (ex. milk jugs)
  • Look for these symbols on the bottom of the plastic item:

E-waste

  • Ink/toner cartridges
  • Cell phones

Other Recyclable Items

Beyond the major categories of materials (Paper/Cardboard, Aluminum, Plastic, and E-waste) that UM recycles, the university continues to expand its support in recycling a wide variety of other products commonly found on campus and throughout the local community. Below you will find additional information on the types of products currently being recycled at UM and the process and location for collection.

  • Light bulbs
  • Batteries

How to Recycle: Collection process and Drop-off Locations

Collection Process on Campus

Collection bins for recyclables have been placed all over campus in most academic buildings. These bins will be emptied at least once a week by the Physical Plant staff.

Recycling Drop Off Locations

On campus, individuals can take aluminum and plastic to the bins behind Fulton Chapel.

Off campus, the city of Oxford operates drop off locations for residential use, one at the Municipal Center (City Shop) on Molly Barr Road beside the Police Station, a second on Highway 7 South next to Fire Station #3 and also at the Recycling Center at the City of Oxford Landfill on County Road 321 (Pea Ridge Road). Business and Industry need to use the Recycling Center on Pea Ridge Road.

More information about recycling in Oxford here.

Questions about recycling?
Please email green@olemiss.edu

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