UBC is aspiring to be a “Zero Waste” campus where all
unwanted products and materials will be treated as resources
that can be used again. To reduce environmental impacts,
greenhouse gas emissions and garbage disposal costs we can
all do our part. Please take an extra second and Sort it Out.
Did you know most of UBC’s garbage can be recycled? You can recycle everyday waste
materials—like food scraps, paper and food or drink containers—at recycling stations. Please
refer to the Sorting Guide at the end of this document for specific information on what goes
into which bin. You can also find more information on the Sort it Out webpage.
It all adds up, you make a difference when you sort food scraps and recyclables at UBC
recycling stations.
Keep plastics out of
green bins.
Plastics of any kind
including regular and
compostable plastic
bags and plastic food
containers, must not be
put in food scraps bins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What can be recycled and composted?
A: Food scraps (food and compostables), recyclable containers including coffee cups, and
mixed paper. Refer to the Sorting Guide at the end of this FAQ for more information.
Q: What can’t be recycled?
A: Materials that are not recyclable must go into the garbage. These include: Styrofoam,
plastic bags, potato chip bags and unmarked plastic containers. Materials such as batteries
and electronics can be recycled elsewhere, but not at recycling stations. A good resource
for recycling options is the comprehensive Sorting Guide.
Q: Where are the recycling facilities at UBC?
A: There are over 700 recycling stations located in buildings across campus. Recycling carts
are generally located in student housing recycling rooms, with recycling stations found in
dining halls and food service outlets across campus.
sustain.ubc.ca/sortitout
Q: How much garbage does UBC divert from the landfill?
A: As of 2014, we were able to divert about half of all operational waste (not including
construction waste) away from the landfill. However, with proper separation (putting the right
materials in the right bins), most of your garbage can be diverted from the landfill using
UBC’s recycling stations.
Q: What are the benefits of recycling and composting?
A: Recycling means sending less garbage to landfills and incinerators. Garbage rotting in landfills
can pollute our air and water, and create greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.
By recycling you are helping to conserves resources and reduce the cost of garbage disposal.
Q: Will the presence of food scraps bins cause odours, flies or other problems?
A: Food scraps containers rarely smell and do not attract flies when emptied regularly and kept
clean. Food scraps bins in the recycling stations are emptied and washed frequently and most
have closable covers.. Make sure you empty and rinse your kitchen food scraps container every
1-2 days and replace the paper pail liner.
Q: Can I recycle or compost coffee cups? What about the lids?
A: All coffee cups can be recycled. Place empty cups and lids—with the sleeves removed—into
the grey recyclable containers bin. Do not put liquids into the recyclable containers bin.
Cardboard and paper sleeves can be placed in the blue paper bin.
Q: What do I do with plastic cutlery?
A: If marked “recyclable”, these can be put in the recyclable containers bin if they are clean.
Other types, including unmarked, should go in the garbage. Wood cutlery and wood chopsticks
can go into the food scraps bin.
Q: What do I do with plastic bags or packaging?
A: Plastic bags cannot be recycled or composted at UBC recycling stations and should be placed
in the garbage. Some stores such as London Drugs can recycle plastic bags.
Q: Can I recycle juice boxes and milk cartons?
A: Yes. Tetrapaks (lined with foil) can also be placed in the grey recyclable containers bin.
Q: Can I compost napkins and paper towels?
A: Yes, these can be placed in the green food scraps bins.
Q: Can I recycle styrofoam food containers or #6 plastics?
A: Styrofoam food containers, used at some take-out restaurants, are not recyclable and
should be put into the garbage bin. However, some styrofoam packing materials can be recycled
at certain locations on campus. Other types of #6 plastic, like rigid plastic food containers,
are recyclable in the grey containers bin.
Q: Can I recycle pizza boxes?
A: Clean pizza boxes can be placed into cardboard recycling (present in most residence recycling
rooms), soiled or greasy pizza boxes should be placed into the garbage.
Q. If I have a drink that is not finished, what should I do with it?
A. Empty the liquid into an appropriate place—e.g., a washroom sink if indoors, then recycle the
empty container in the grey bin. Please do not place containers with liquids in or on recycling
stations, this will cause spills, create odours and attract fruit flies.
Q: Do I need to rinse or wash plastic and metal containers?
A: Yes! Help reduce contamination by washing containers. This will also reduce odor, flies and
rodents; put them in the recyclable containers bin.
sustain.ubc.ca/sortitout
Q: How do I report problems with the recycling stations?
A: For any immediate problems with the stations, such as overflows, contact the facility manager
for the building. To provide feedback on the UBC Zero Waste initiative, please email
[email protected].
Food Scraps:
Cooked food waste
Raw fruit, vegetables & grains
Bones & egg shells
Dairy products
Paper towels & napkins
Compostable* paper plates
Compostable* food containers
Coffee grounds & filters
Non-synthetics tea bags
Plain, uncoated wood chopsticks
Keep Out:
Plastic bags & plastic containers**
Coffee cups, lids & sleeves
Biodegradable plastic bags
All plastic cutlery &
plastic chopsticks
Diapers
Dog waste
** Food containers must be certified compostable, fibre based.
** Certified compostable plastic products are not acceptable
in the Food Scraps bin.
Recyclable Containers
(clean/empty only):
Plastic #1-7 containers
Glass bottles & jars
Metal cans
Coffee cups & Lids
Milk cartons
Recyclable plastic bottles
Recyclable cups & cutlery
Juice boxes
Tetrapak containers
Non-paint aerosol cans
(empty, no toxic residues)
Keep Out:
Food & Liquids
Plastic bags & styrofoam
Dishes, glassware or ceramics
Windows or mirrors
Unstamped plastics
Paper (clean only):
Garbage:
Keep Out:
Keep Out:
Newspapers & magazines
Envelopes
Computer paper
Paper cup sleeves
Cereal boxes
Telephone books
Sticky notes
Soft cover books
Milk cartons
Paper cups
Used paper plates
Pizza boxes
Soiled paper
Plastic bags
Styrofoam
Plastic wrap
Candy bar wrappers
Chip bags
Non-recyclable cutlery
Waxed paper
Aluminum foil
Anything compostable
or recyclable