The University of Pittsburgh began recycling in 1990 & our goal is to reduce landfill waste 25% from 2017 levels by 2030. In the meantime, Pitt has continued to divert materials from the landfill at a rate of ~35% recyclables and 170+ tons of compostables per year (and growing). While the University does not have a zero waste goal in place, many individuals and entities are adopting a zero waste mindset.
Recyclables
Single Stream Recyclables
- Cardboard (flatten & place next to any campus recycling container)
- Glass (bottles, jugs, jars, and containers)
- Metals (aluminum, tin, and steel containers)
- Paper (office, newspaper, magazines, mail, & paperboard)
- Plastic (bottles, jugs, jars, containers, & clear beverage cups. NO LIDS)
- Books
Specialty Recyclables (Select Buildings & Locations by Commodity Below)
- Compostables
- Textiles
- Scrap metal (aluminum, steel, stainless steel, copper, etc.)
- Batteries (both dry & wet cell)
- Computers & other electronics
- Toner & ink cartridges
- Keurig K-Pods
- Chemicals
- Pharmaceuticals
- Gloves (In Pilot)
Composting
Pitt collects post-consumer compostable materials in the following locations:
- Barco Law
- Benedum Hall
- Eureka Building
- Falk School (Cafeteria)
- Mervis Hall
- O’Hara Student Center
- Petersen Events Center
- William Pitt Union
Learn more about what we collect below — and where we divert pre-consumer compostables from. You can also follow along with our dashboard of compostable diversion progress.
We are gradually scaling up collection of compostables across campus with an aim to expand food waste composting to divert 50% of food waste to compost by 2025.
Off-Campus Recycling
Off-campus students and City residents utilize Pittsburgh’s residential curbside recycling program, which mirrors Pitt’s in acceptable items.
For more information on items have questions about recyclability for, check out Pennsylvania Resources Council and Recycle This Pittsburgh.
If you rent off campus and your landlord has not provided with you with a container, use the City’s landlord letter.
Other Recycling by Pitt
Operationally, Pitt ensures the following waste streams are diverted from landfill whenever possible:
- Fluorescent lamps (from University buildings)
- Building materials with reuse potential (from University renovation projects)
- Construction and demolition debris
- Carpeting
- Leaf and yard waste
Speciality Recycling on Campus
Pitt offers convenient recycling programs for a variety of specialty items. Choose the item you’d like to recycle to learn more!


Batteries
Pitt has a number of locations to collect dry cell (household) batteries of any size or type. Battery collection units around campus also accept cell phones and iPods.
For safety reasons, please place clear tape over battery terminals. If you have a large volume, please let us know you need a pickup.
Battery Recycling Locations:
- Benedum Hall – Near Dean’s office + in Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation (153)
- Bellefield Hall – 2nd floor lobby
- Cathedral of Learning – Ground floor near vending machines
- Chevron Hall – Mail lobby
- Craig Hall – Main entrance, lobby
- Crawford Hall – 2nd floor, entrance lobby
- Dental School – Ground floor, entrance lobby
- Frick Fine Arts – 1st floor, handicapped entrance
- Lawrence Hall – Main entrance vestibule
- Learning Research and Development (LRDC) – Main entrance, 1st floor
- Litchfield Tower A – Main lobby entrance
- Lothrop Hall – Main lobby entrance
- Posvar Hall – 1st floor, elevator lobby
- Public Health – Ground floor, lobby
- Salk Hall – 2nd floor lounge near vending machines
- Scaife Hall – 4th floor, lobby
- Sutherland Hall – Main level entrance
- Trees Hall – Main Level, entrance lobby
- William Pitt Union – Lower Level Forbes Ave. entrance near the custodial supervisor’s office
Wet cell batteries can be recycled also, but require special arrangements for safe pickup; please email zerowaste@pitt.edu or call 412-624-9521.
Chemicals
The Pitt Chemical Redistribution Program provides faculty and staff with the opportunity to obtain unopened chemicals free of charge, reducing expenses for purchasing and waste disposal. This program is currently available to laboratories located on the Pittsburgh camps. Learn more about how to donate a chemical, request free chemicals, or view our on-hand inventory.
Compostables
We are gradually scaling up collection of compostables across campus with an aim to expand food waste composting to divert 50% of food waste to compost by 2025. Check out our progress here!
Pitt compost locations accept dairy products, meat, bones, bread and pastries, fruits, vegetables (any food stuff) even those not commonly accepted in backyard compost (because we send Pitt compostables to an industrial compost facility). Composting uses natural decomposition to turn organic waste into nutrient-rich fertilizer for gardening.
Materials accepted in campus compost collection stations include:
- Food waste of any kind!
- Pizza boxes
- Coffee grounds
- Paper towels
- Napkins & tissues
- BPI-certified compostable dinnerware, cups, and utensils
- Shredded newspaper
Pitt collects post-consumer compostable materials in the following locations:
The following buildings are collecting compostables:
- Barco Law
- Benedum Hall
- Eureka Building
- Falk School (cafeteria only)
- Mervis Hall
- O’Hara Student Center
- Petersen Events Center
- William Pitt Union
You’ll also find compostable collection & drop-off at the following locations:
- Events! Look for compost collection locations Pitt events — or request become a Pitt Green Host to request it for an event you are organizing
- Farmer’s Market @ Pitt (William Pitt Union, Thursdays, 10:30am to 2pm — August through November) – Dates on our event calendar
- Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation (153 Benedum) – Open for public dropoff during business hours when staffed.
While there are currently limited locations on campus that collect compostables on a regular basis, the Pitt Sustainability team is actively working to scale up campus-wide compost collection locations. Look for more building-specific collection locations for compostables to be rolled out in the future.
Compostables from our Pittsburgh campus are taken to AgRecycle‘s commercial composting facility in Washington County, Pennsylvania.
Follow along with our compostable diversion progress on our dashboard!
If you’re interested in learning more about composting in your own backyard at home, check out Pennsylvania Resources Council for basics, classes, & resources, plus Shadyside Worms & Worm Return for home systems.
Electronics (Cellphones & Handheld Devices)
Cell phones, I-pods, and other handheld electronics can be recycled at the Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation (153 Benedum Hall), with other drop-off locations in development.
Battery collection units around campus also accept cell phones and iPods.
Be sure to wipe all data from handheld electronics before recycling them.
After being properly decommissioned by Pitt Surplus, these small electronics are recycled by eLoop.
Electronics (Large Devices)
Electronic devices include unwanted computers, monitors, televisions, audio equipment, printers, laptops, fax machines, telephones, and other electronic equipment. Because electronic equipment may contain heavy metals (e.g., lead, mercury, and cadmium) and other toxic materials that can become hazardous to human health and the environment, it must be properly disposed of and recycled. Do not place any electronic equipment in the trash, hallways or loading docks, even if it is broken.
Surplus Property will pick up your e‑waste free of charge. Contact Pitt Surplus for electronics pickup.
After being properly decommissioned by Pitt Surplus, the University’s electronics waste is responsibly handled by eLoop.
Fluorescent Lamps
Pitt recycles fluorescent tubes from campus via special arrangement; please email us at zerowaste@pitt.edu or call 412-624-9521.
These materials are handled by Scott Electric.
Furniture & Equipment
Pitt employees should donate all unwanted furniture & equipment to Pitt Surplus.
Students should donate all unwanted furniture and household items to Clutter for a Cause during move out.
Ink & Toner Cartridges
Empty inkjet and laser toner cartridges from non-managed printers can be recycled through HP’s ink and toner recycling mailback program. Find out more and sign up for the program through Supra here!
They can also be placed in dedicated diversion bins across campus at:
- Alumni Hall
- Cathedral of Learning
- Biomedical Science Tower – Lobby
- Benedum Hall – Near Dean’s Office
- Chevron Hall
- Litchfield Towers – Lobby near ATM
- Posvar Hall
- Salk Hall
- Scaife Hall
For special pickup arrangements, email surplus@pitt.edu or call 412-624-6500.
**Ink & toner from devices on Pitt’s Managed Print contract with RICOH should not be removed or mailed back. These devices and their ink and toner supply are serviced and recycled as part of Pitt’s contract.**
Keurig / K-Pods
There are LOTS of options to make coffee consumption more sustainable, including composting your grounds from traditional coffee, switching to beans-to-cup machines, or using reusable Keurig filters. You could also switch to compostable k-pods.
However, if you’re using Keurig K-Pods, please divert them from the landfill by enrolling in the Keurig Grounds to Grow On program (free to Pitt offices). Non-compostable K-Pods are separated by Keurig; plastic and foil are recycled; and grounds are composted.
Medicine / Pharmeceuticals
The University of Pittsburgh has two locations where staff, faculty, students, and the public can drop off unused or expired medications safely and securely:
- Public Safety Building – Lobby during business hours
- University Pharmacy at Nordenberg Hall – During business hours
Pharmaceuticals are disposed by third-party incineration.
Plastics
We agree, recycling plastics these days is confusing. More often than not, the answer is that the plastic in your hand is not recyclable. Choose to Reuse when you can, especially with Pitt’s Choose to Reuse to-go container program!
Otherwise, recyclable plastics should be placed in single stream recycling bins; please follow our recycling rules:
Accepted
- Bottles, jars, and jugs
- Cold coffee cups (#1 or 2 plastic; no lids)
NOT Accepted Plastics
- Hot coffee cups
- Bags or film (Accepted at many local grocery stores)
- Cartons (paper or plastic; common for milk, juice, or soup)
- Clam shell containers
- Small lids
- Straws
- Styrofoam (Drop off Pittsburgh Region drop-off locations for expanded polystyrene)
Pitt’s single stream recycling is picked up by Republic and taken to our regional Material Recovery Facility (MRF), which is responsible for receiving, sorting, and selling collected materials.


Textiles
Please continue to donate all wearable clothing and accessories to the University of Thriftsburgh (on-campus thrift store in O’Hara Student Center) or to your local reuse stores!
Pitt’s collection locations for clean, unusable, and end-of-life textiles are listed below:
Accepted
- Clothing, coats, and jackets
- Linens, towels, bedding, drapes, and curtains
- Hats, gloves, belts, shoes, jewelry, and other accessories.
Not Accepted
- Mattress toppers.
- Pillows or stuffed animals
- Hazardous waste
- Single stream recyclables
Collected textiles are diverted back into the circular economy by Goodwill SWPA.
Locations
Collection units have been placed around campus near existing toner and/or battery diversion locations, as listed below.
- 7500 Thomas Blvd. Pittsburgh PA 15208 – Large blue bin in parking lot (This location is open to the public for textile drop-offs during normal business hours (M-F, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.)
- Alumni Hall – Main Lobby, Lytton St. Entrance
- Benedum Hall – Lobby
- Biomedical Science Tower – Lobby
- Cathedral of Learning – Ground Floor (Near Elevators)
- Chevron Hall – Hallway to right of lobby near toner & inkjet cartridge recycling.
- Craig Hall – Main Lobby
- Eureka Building – Main Lobby
- Hillman Library – Ground Floor Lobby
- Litchfield Towers – Lobby near ATM
- Mervis Hall – Main Lobby
- O’Hara Student Center – Hallway near Men’s Rest Room (Internal) & Parking Lot (External)
- Park Plaza – Main Lobby
- Petersen Events Center – Mezzanine, 2nd Floor
- Public Safety Building – Forbes Avenue Lobby
- Salk Hall
- Scaife Hall – 4th Floor, Terrace St. Entrance
- Posvar Hall – Main Lobby (Near Elevators)
- Public Health – DeSoto Lobby
- William Pitt Union – Main Lobby
Clothing and textiles make up ~6.3% of the current waste stream, so represent a campus- and city-wide opportunity to keep textiles in the circular economy.
Large Quantity Recyclables

If you have scrap metal or a large amount of recyclable material (e.g., from an office cleanup), the University can provide you with additional containers and arrange a special pickup. Email zerowaste@pitt.edu or call Facilities at 412-624-9521.
If you, your office, division, department, and/or organization want to coordinate a special waste diversion event (e.g., recycling drive, office clean out day, etc.), please contact us and Facilities will happily provide collection units and pickup arrangements.
Where to Recycle
Recycling
Containers for all single stream recyclable items should be clearly labeled and/or blue. Recycling bins are generally located in offices, workstations, common areas, hallways, lobbies, and similar locations. While some buildings do have three unit “Recycling Centers” with openings for trash, paper, and bottles and cans, the University’s recycling is single stream, so all items listed above are accepted.
We have worked to distribute recycling containers in every University of Pittsburgh building and across campus for your convenience. However, if you know of a spot that could use a container, or if you need a container for your work area, email us at zerowaste@pitt.edu.
- If your academic building does not have recycling bins, please contact your Facility Manager.
- If your residence hall, dorm room, or Pitt-owned apartment does not have adequate recycling, please contact Panther Central.
- If you are in a building the University leases, please email zerowaste@pitt.edu
Battery Recycling Collection Locations
- Litchfield Tower A – Main lobby entrance
- Lothrop Hall – Main lobby entrance
- Sutherland Hall – Main level entrance
- Benedum Hall – Main lobby & Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation (153)
- Bellefield Hall – 2nd floor lobby
- Cathedral of Learning – Ground floor near vending machines
- Craig Hall – Main entrance, lobby
- Crawford Hall – 2nd floor, entrance lobby
- Dental School – Ground floor, entrance lobby
- Frick Fine Arts – 1st floor, handicapped entrance
- GSPH – Ground floor, lobby
- Lawrence Hall – Main entrance vestibule
- Learning Research and Development (LRDC) – Main entrance, 1st floor
- Posvar Hall – 1st floor, elevator lobby
- Salk Hall – 2nd floor lounge near vending machines
- Scaife Hall – 4th floor, lobby
- Trees Hall – Main Level, entrance lobby
- William Pitt Union – Lower Level Forbes Ave. entrance near the custodial supervisor’s office
Toner & Ink Cartridges Diversion Bin Locations
- Alumni Hall
- Cathedral of Learning
- Biomedical Science Tower – Lobby
- Benedum Hall – Near Dean’s Office
- Chevron Hall
- Litchfield Towers – Lobby near ATM
- Posvar Hall
- Salk Hall
- Scaife Hall
Textile Collection Unit Locations
- Alumni Hall – Main Lobby, Lytton St. Entrance
- Benedum Hall – Lobby
- Biomedical Science Tower – Lobby
- Cathedral of Learning – Ground Floor (Near Elevators)
- Chevron Hall
- Craig Hall – Main Lobby
- Eureka Building – Main Lobby
- Graduate School of Public Health – DeSoto Lobby
- Hillman Library – Ground Floor Lobby
- Litchfield Towers – Lobby near ATM
- Mervis Hall – Main Lobby
- O’Hara Student Center – Hallway near Hydration Station & Men’s Rest Room
- Park Plaza – Main Lobby
- Petersen Events Center – Mezzanine, 2nd Floor
- Public Safety Building – Forbes Avenue Lobby
- Salk Hall
- Scaife Hall – 4th Floor, Terrace St. Entrance
- 7500 Thomas Blvd. Pittsburgh PA 15208—Main Lobby (This location is open to the public for textile drop-offs during normal business hours)
- Posvar Hall – Main Lobby (Near Elevators)
- William Pitt Union – Main Lobby
Unused Medication Drop Off Locations
- Public Safety Building (lobby during business hours)
- University Pharmacy at Nordenberg Hall (during business hours)
Where University Diverted Materials Go
The end location of each material leaving the University depends on what it is.
Single Stream Recycling
Is picked up by Republic and goes to the regional Material Recovery Facility (MRF), which is responsible for receiving, sorting, and selling collected materials.
Compostables
Primarily go to AgRecycle‘s commercial composting facility in Washington County, Pennsylvania. The University also has a small contract with Pittsburgh Garden Company for mostly pre-consumer food waste.
Electronics
After being properly decommissioned by Pitt Surplus, the University’s electronics waste is responsibly handled by eLoop.
K-Pods
While compostable pods are used across campus, non-compostable K-Pods are separated by Keurig; plastic and foil are recycled; and grounds are composted.
Pharmaceuticals
Properly disposed by third-party incineration.
Textiles
Are diverted back into the circular economy by Simple Recycling.
Gloves
Piloting diversion in Housekeeping to waste to energy facilities. Select laboratories divert via TerraCycle.
Signage
As we work to update materials diversion signage campus-wide, you are invited to download the appropriate size signs for your office, department, school, and/or room.


Because recycling locations for specialty commodities are by building, if you are seeking University recycling signage for batteries, textiles, or ink / toner, please email us.