1. Policies and Procedures
  2. Waste Reduction, Recycling and Composting

Waste Reduction, Recycling and Composting

Mount Holyoke is committed to recycling and waste reduction and recycling and has a long-standing recycling program. Everyone on campus is expected to participate in this program.

Trash and Recycling Bin Locations

In central areas

Central bins for recycling, trash, and composting are located on each floor, typically in kitchenettes. Please bring items from your room and place them into the appropriate container.

There are four different bins:

  • one for trash
  • one for recyclable paper
  • one for containers
  • one for food waste

In student rooms

Recycling bins are available for each student room.

Trash

Each office is equipped with a trash can which will are emptied by housekeeping staff.

Paper

Each office is equipped with a blue recycling bin for paper. Larger paper recycling bins are located on each floor.

Cardboard

Cardboard recycling bins are located in the basement of administrative buildings. To recycle cardboard in your office, please remove all contents and packaging material, flatten the box, and bring it to the bins.

Bins for mixed paper and containers are located throughout the academic and administrative buildings.

How to recycle

In residence halls

  • Recycling bins are available in each student room.
  • Students are responsible for bringing their own recyclables to the recycling area and placing them into the appropriate container.

In academic and administrative offices

  • Each office is equipped with a blue desk side recycling bin for paper for convenience.
  • Employees are responsible for emptying their own paper recycling bins into the larger paper recycling bins that are typically located on each floor.

In residence halls

  • Cardboard boxes must be emptied of packaging material, flattened and taken to the cardboard recycling bins in the basement of the residence hall. 
  • Signs are posted in the basement of most residence halls to identify the cardboard bins.

In academic and administrative offices

  • Cardboard boxes must be emptied of packaging material, flattened and taken to the cardboard recycling bins, which are located in the basement of most building.

In residence halls

  • Containers should be rinsed.
  • Central bins for containers are located on each floor, typically in kitchenettes. Please bring items from your room and place them into the appropriate container.

In academic and administrative offices and public areas

  • Bins for containers are located in public areas throughout the academic and administrative buildings.

What to include

  • aluminum and tin cans
  • glass bottles and jars (all colors)
  • plastic bottles (all types)
  • milk and juice cartons/boxes
  • plastic yogurt containers
  • aluminum foil
  • clear plastic clamshell containers

In residence halls

Laser toner cartridges

  • Empty cartridges should be placed back into the original package, or a brown clasp envelope.
  • The packaged must be marked "Recycle" and mailed via campus mail to the Facilities Management Stockroom in the Kohler Building.

Inkjet cartridges

  • Many manufacturers supply a postage paid mailer for returning your spent cartridge when a new one is purchased. If a return mailer is provided, it should be used to return the cartridge to the manufacturer for reuse or recycling.

In academic and administrative offices

LaserJet, fax and printer toner cartridges

  • Empty cartridges should be placed back into the original package, or a brown clasp envelope.
  • The package must be marked "Recycle" and sent via campus mail to the Facilities Management Stockroom.

Canon toner disposal

Inkjet cartridges

  • Many manufacturers supply a postage paid mailer for returning your spent cartridge when a new one is purchased. If a return mailer is provided, it should be used to return the cartridge to the manufacturer for reuse or recycling.
  • If a mailer is not available, inkjet cartridge collection containers are located in the Blanchard mail room and at LITS in the MEWS.
  • Empty inkjet cartridges can also be sent via campus mail to the Facilities Management Stockroom.

In residence halls

  • Bins for residential student battery recycling are located in the laundry room of each residence hall. Students are responsible for bringing all of their batteries, recyclables and trash from their room to the proper collection areas.

In academic and administrative offices

  • Department Coordinators and other faculty/staff should collect batteries in a plastic bag or container. When ready, request a pick up by submitting a service request or calling the Facilities Management (FM) main office: 413-538-2012. Email questions to Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S): ehs@mtholyoke.edu.

Collection containers are located in the following areas:

  • Blanchard Community Center (3rd floor, Weissman Student Commons)
  • Carr Laboratory (by the elevators on each level)
  • Dwight Hall (1st floor, MEWS)

These containers are provided to collect batteries from equipment used on campus by MHC departments only. Please do not bring batteries from your own personal devices to dispose of on campus. Check with your local city or town to find out how to safely recycle or dispose of your materials. You can also check Earth911 and other resources. Learn more on EPA’s Used Batteries website.

Battery Safety

Batteries come in a variety of types, shapes and sizes. ALL batteries must be handled with care. If you notice a change in appearance, such as swelling, or an odor, excessive heat, damage or evidence of a leak, immediately stop using the device.

Do not put swollen or leaking batteries in the recycling collection containers. Damaged batteries can leak toxic chemicals that can burn your skin and harm the environment. Handling of damaged batteries should be kept to a minimum - nitrile gloves and eye protection should be worn. If possible, put the battery in a plastic bag. Contact FM/EH&S for clean up and disposal: 413-538-2012.

Some batteries, particularly Lithium-Ion batteries, can pose a significant fire risk if they become damaged or are not used or charged properly. Review battery recharging guidelines and other important information on the Fire and Life Safety page.

Check the manufacturer’s website for specific information about your product. Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for common battery types can be found in MHC’s SDS Management account.

Contact Environmental Health and Safety with questions about battery recycling and safety: ehs@mtholyoke.edu. Immediately report all campus emergencies to Public Safety and Service: 413-538-2304.

In residence halls

  • During the school year, a work order should be placed with Facilities Management for pick-up.
  • During move-out, computers or other electronic equipment can be brought to the central recycling area in each residence hall.

In academic and administrative offices

  • MHC "tagged" computer or electronic equipment should be reported to LITS Community Technical Support at x2600. They will make arrangements to move the equipment.
  • For all other electronic equipment, a work order should be placed with Facilities Management for pick up.

Soft cover books can be recycled with mixed paper.

No hard bound or plastic covers!

Hardcover books will be collected periodically for donation or recycling. Many books may also be donated to local bookstores or civic organizations for reuse.

  • Foam peanuts should be placed in a cardboard box that is closed securely.
  • The box should be marked  "Foam peanuts - please recycle" and mailed via campus mail to the Facilities Management Stockroom in the Kohler Building.

Cell phones can be put in mixed battery containers for recycling.

For more information visit EPA's eCycle site for information on recycling cell phones.

In residence halls

  • Clothing swap bins are located in all laundry rooms.  Students may leave or take items from the bins.
  • Only items in the swap bins should be taken out of laundry rooms.
  • At the end of the year, all left over clothing is donated to a local charity.

Composting and food waste reduction

Dining services is committed to exploring options to increase environmentally sustainable purchasing and practices.

Learn more about sustainability in dining
  • all food items (please no beverages) can be put in the bin with the green compostable bags
  • properly dispose of all food containers, utensils, stickers, wrappers and bags into the appropriate trash or recycling bins

Composting in the residence halls was brought about through the efforts of a student-built pilot program developed and run by MHC Composting Team (Kaila Goldstein ’22, Trinity Kendrick ’21, Aja Smith-Saunders ’21, Maya Sterett ’20). The Miller Worley Center for the Environment, MHC Botanical Gardens, and MHC’s Facilities Management. The composting pilot program was fully institutionalized in 2020.