Sort-It-Out stations
In 2019, Facilities Management expanded the waste diversion program by installing new outdoor Sort-It-Out Stations in high-traffic pedestrian areas. The program expands on the indoor Sort-It-Stations, which are found in every building across campus and include more options for recycling than the outdoor stations.
These indoor and outdoor stations make it more convenient to recycle and compost no matter where you are on campus, and will help the university meet its waste diversion goal of 82% by 2021.
Use the accordian below to understand our collection streams.
Composting
Composting is available at both the indoor and outdoor Sort-It-Out Stations. These bins can be identified by their green bin signs. UVic's compost bins accept all:
- Food waste, including meat and dairy products;
- Tea bags;
- Paper napkins and plates;
- Wooden chopsticks and stir sticks;
- Compostable take-out containers used on campus;
- Pizza trays; and,
- Paper towels.
These bins cannot accept:
- Plastic bags labeled "biodegradable";
- Plastic coffee cup lids;
- Glass;
- Dairy cartons; and,
- Condiment packages.
Composting paper towels
In addition, we've designated the bins in the washrooms as paper towel only. Since paper towels are compostable, this allows us to diver this waste stream from the landfill. It is important that these paper towel bins do not get contaminated with 'general garbage'.
Plastic, metal and paper containers recycling
Both the outdoor and indoor Sort-It-Out Stations accept recycling for plastic, metal and paper containers. These bins can be identified by their orange bin signs. UVic's plastic, metal, and paper container recycling bins accept:
- All refundable bottles and cans;
- Tin and aluminum;
- Paper containers like milk cartons and tetra-paks;
- Hard plastics including coffee cup lids and sushi trays; and,
- Coffee cups.
Please rinse all containers before recycling them. These bins cannot accept soft plastic bags, straws or styrofoam.
Clean paper and paper packaging recycling
Clean paper and paper packaging are accepted at the indoor Sort-It-Out stations. These bins can be identified by their blue bin signs. UVic's paper and paper packaging recycling bins accept:
- All office paper;
- Magazines and newsprint;
- Phone books (small quantities); and,
- Flattened cardboard boxes.
These bins cannot accept:
- Coorugated cardboard (flatten these and stack next to the container);
- Paper towels, napkins, and tissues;
- Paper plates; and,
- Coffee cups.
Glass recycling
Glass recycling is accepted at select indoor Sort-It-Out stations. These bins can be identified by their yellow bin signs. UVic's glass recycling bins accept:
- Anything made of glass.
Non-recyclable landfill waste
While we strive to achieve a zero-waste campus, we understand that some items are not recyclable. Landfill waste bins are available at all indoor and outdoor Sort-It-Out stations. These can be identified by the black bin signs. Accepted items include: chip bags, candy and granola wrappers. Please do not place recyclable items in to these bins.