Zero-Sort Recycling

• ALL PAPER (staples/paperclips OK): newspapers, magazines, envelopes (all types), colored paper, folders, notebooks, brown paper bags
• CARDBOARD: shoe boxes, pizza boxes (remove food, grease OK), milk/juice cartons
• PLASTICS: all containers #1 - #7 which includes:
  
  • Water/juice bottles, milk jugs, shampoo bottles, empty salad/yogurt containers
• GLASS: any color bottles, jars
• METAL: beverage cans, ALL aluminum (foil, trays), empty aerosol cans

There are some items that unfortunately cannot be included in the Zero-Sort bins. However, many of these items can be recycled separately, so please bring those items marked with an asterisk (*) below to the specialty recycling station located in Smith Union across from the Mail Center.

• Plastic bags (Zip-loc, grocery bags, bread bags)*
• Tissues and paper towels
• Light bulbs*
• Ceramics
• Styrofoam
• Hazardous waste
• Batteries*
• Containers with food inside – enough food that it will fall out if you tip it over (once emptied, many food containers can be recycled!)
• “Technotrash”

Plastic bags cannot go in the Zero-Sort bins because they get caught in the sorting machinery, BUT they can be recycled separately if you drop them off in the “soft plastic” box in Smith Union across from the Mail Center. You can also drop these off in specialty "soft plastic" bins at any supermarket or pharmacy store—just ask an employee if you can't find the bin.

The “soft plastics” that can be recycled in these locations (as long as they are dry and clean) include:

• Plastic shopping bags
• Ziploc bags
• Plastic wrap
• Bread or produce bags
• Newspaper bags
• Dry cleaning bags
• Paper towel and toilet paper overwraps

There is a great program funded by Dell Computer and Goodwill Industries called ReConnect. They will take most old technological items. Check out the Goodwill website for more information.

Please note: only personal computers should be recycled through Reconnect. All Bowdoin College computers are property of the College. If you have a Bowdoin College computer that is no longer in use, please contact Mike Roux to arrange for pick up of the old computer.

YES! You can drop recycle ALL alkaline batteries (AAA, AA, C, D, and 9V) in the proper bin at the recycling center in Smith Union, right across from the Mail Center.

Other batteries, such as Metal hydride, lithium, ni-cad, silver, mercury, and zinc (very rarely used in a college student’s day-to-day life) are considered hazardous and must be collected for proper disposal under the guidance of Bowdoin's Environmental Health and Safety office.

Several housing complexes have Zero-Sort recycling dumpsters in their parking lot next to the trash dumpsters (marked with a blue lid and zero-sort recycling labels).  Just like their personal trash, students are responsible for routinely bringing their recycling out to the dumpster and depositing materials into the dumpster for pick-up. 

To avoid lost or stolen recycling bins, please bring your bin back inside your apartment. If you have questions please contact the Sustainability Office at sustainability@bowdoin.edu.