Zero Waste Resource Hub | Georgia Tech

Zero Waste Resource Hub | Georgia Tech
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Zero Waste Resource Hub
Recycle
Compost
Reuse
Purchasing & Surplus
Click the buttons above to navigate to each section.
Recycle
Compost
Reuse
Purchasing & Surplus
Click the buttons above to navigate to each section
Recycle
Recyclables should always be clean, free of food or liquid residue, or rinsed to prevent contamination.
Common Recycling
Drop-off locations for the following items can be found in or around most campus buildings.
Aluminum Cans
Accepted:
Aluminum beverage cans only.
Not Accepted:
Aluminum foil, silverware, or pots & pans.
Locations:
Outdoor recycling sites, most campus buildings, and the
East Campus main drop-off site.
Corrugated Cardboard
Accepted:
Clean cardboard with a wavy middle layer.
Not Accepted:
Paperboard (such as cereal boxes), pizza or food boxes full of food.
Locations:
Outside most campus buildings and the
East Campus main drop-off site
(containers with a slit opening).
Mixed Paper & Office Paper
Accepted Mixed Paper
: magazines, newspapers, junk mail, file folders, catalogs, brochures, paperback books, sticky notes, and paperboard (such as cereal boxes). Staples and paper clips do
not
have to be removed.
Not Accepted
: Corrugated cardboard, facial tissue, napkins, paper cups, or paper plates.
Locations
: Outdoor recycling sites, most campus buildings, and the
East Campus main drop-off site.
Accepted Office Paper
: printer or copy paper.
Location: Print Centers
Plastic Bottles and Containers
Accepted:
Plastic #1 (PET or PETE) or #2 (HDPE) bottles & containers; caps are OK.
Not Accepted
: Plastic wrap, plastic bags, or polystyrene foam, plastic disposable containers.
Locations:
Outdoor recycling sites, most campus buildings, and the
East Campus main drop-off site.
Desk-Side Recycling
Accepted:
Employees are responsible for sorting their own waste into the appropriate central collection bins located throughout the building. Custodial teams
do not provide or service individual desk-side containers.
Locations:
All academic and administrative buildings.
President’s Message
“Georgia Tech is committed to developing leaders who understand the importance of a healthy planet to improve the human condition and are ready to make a difference. We carry out that mission not only through education and research, but very importantly, by being an example of sustainability in our own operations,” said Georgia Tech President Angel Cabrera. “The
AWARE
program helps the environment and it serves as a daily reminder to all of us that we can all make a difference.”
Technology Recycling
Drop-off locations for the following items are available in most campus buildings and main drop centers.
Ink and Toner Cartridges
Accepted:
Any brand of ink and toner cartridges purchased by Georgia Tech and personal ink and toner cartridges.
Drop-off Locations:
Georiga Tech Ink & Toner Cartridges: Will be taken by Staples free of charge.
Download program information (PDF)
Personal Ink & Toner Cartridges: Drop off at any Staples store free of charge.
Additional information is available on the Staples website.
The Office of Solid Waste Management and Recycling does not collect or handle cartridges.
E-Waste (State-Owned & Personal Property)
Georgia Tech-Owned Accepted E-Waste
: All Georgia Tech electronics must be returned to the Georgia Tech IT department. If you have a Georgia Tech-owned computer or electronics to be disposed of (whether inventoried or non-inventoried) contact the Property Coordinator or IT for your department. They will fill out the proper paperwork to have your equipment picked up and taken to surplus for recycling.
Personal Electronics
: As an additional service, personal electronics can be recycled year-round. Personally owned computers and electronics can be recycled at the Kendeda Building Loading Dock.
Drop-off Locations:
Kendeda Building Loading Dock
I&S O’Keefe Basement
Batteries
Accepted:
Small and medium rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries.
Drop-off locations:
Campus Bookstore
Exhibition Hall
Information Desk,
Clough
Information Desk, ORGT at the
Campus Recreation Center
, the
Library
Information Desk, and the
EH&S Building
on Tuesdays (9 a.m. – noon).
Many offices and departments have collection boxes.
To request a box, contact Environmental Health & Safety at
batteries@gatech.edu
Fluorescent Bulbs
Drop-off location and time:
EH&S Building on Tuesdays (9 a.m. – noon).
For additional information, contact
Environmental Health & Safety at
ehsa@gatech.edu
to check collection availability and schedule a drop off appointment.
Please do not
mix broken bulbs with intact bulbs.
Specialty Recycling
Drop off locations for the following items can be found in some main drop centers or in the Kendeda Building.
Pens, Pencils, & Markers
Accepted:
Pens, pencils, markers, & highlighters.
Locations:
Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB) admin suite, 1101.
Look for the blue collection bin on right as you walk in the suite.
Styrofoam
Accepted:
Structural foam packaging and foam coolers.
Not Accepted:
Food-soiled containers, tape, labels, or plastics.
Locations:
EBB
IBB
for lab items, Kendeda Building Loading Dock, Move-In recycling drop-off sites.
Glass Bottles
Accepted:
Bottles and jars only.
Not Accepted:
Lids, windowpanes, drinking glasses, or laboratory glass.
Locations:
The
East Campus main drop-off site
, Greek Neighborhood drop-offs, or blue carts near residence halls.
Plastic Bags and Film
Accepted:
Plastic shopping bags, bubble wrap, bubble mailers, air pillows and stretchy film.
Not Accepted:
Chip bags, food wrappers, cellophane, crinkly packaging, or rigid plastics.
Locations:
Student Center Post Office, Kendeda Building Loading Dock.
Textiles
Accepted:
Unwearable clothes or unusable fabrics
Locations:
East Campus main drop-off site.
*If clothes are in good condition, please donate them to Green Goodbyes or the Kendeda Revolving Closet (more information on these options in the Reuse section below).
Mixed Metals
Only
Tin
is accepted at
East Campus main drop-off site.
Other metal recycling is collected at specific locations around campus and the West Campus Resource Recovery Yard through staff key access. If your department has large quantities of metal to recycle, contact the
Office of Solid Waste Management & Recycling.
Help Us Combat Recycling Contamination
Contaminants like food residue, non-recyclables, or incorrectly sorted materials make entire batches of recyclables or compost unusable and can disrupt sorting systems and increase waste processing costs. After browsing this dashboard, if you are uncertain if your item is unrecyclable, please dispose of it in the trash to avoid contamination.
Contact Information and Recycling Requests
Contact Information
Office Hours:
Monday
Friday, 6:55 a.m.
3:25 p.m.
Phone:
(404) 385-0088
Email:
recycle@gatech.edu
Waste Management Staff Page
Container Request
For special events, bulk offloading, and non-confidential paper
Submit Form
Paper Shredding
As of August 13, 2025, the Office of Solid Waste and Recycling will no longer facilitate the delivery and pick up of Shredding/ Confidential Containers. Containers can be requested through the vendor listed below. Please be advised that accounts will be required to receive services.
C.W. Austin Shredding Services       770-941-8673       2020 Collins Blvd Austell, GA 30106
East Campus Main Drop Off Recycling Center
Explore the map below to find the East Campus Main Recycling Center.
Compost
Pro Tip: Keep compost in the refrigerator or freezer to avoid attracting unwanted insects.
What is Compostable?
What is Compostable?
YES. Compostable
Fruit and vegetable scraps
Meat, bones, fish products
Pasta, bread, cereal
Cooked foods
Dairy products, egg shells
Coffee grounds, filters, & tea bags (without staples)
Paper towels and paper towel rolls
Soiled paper food packaging
Pizza boxes
Muffin wrappers
Flour and sugar bags
Paper plates
Candies, cookies, and cake
Baking ingredients, herbs, spices
Household plants (including soil)
100% cotton cheesecloth
Pet food
Items labeled BPI Certified Compostable
For more information on what is compostable, visit
CompostNow.
NOPE. Not Compostable
PLASTIC (unless labeled compostable)
Styrofoam meat trays
Aluminum foil
Clams, oysters, mussels (basically rocks)
Candles, synthetic corks, and gum
Artificial flowers and plants
Rugs, carpets
Cigarette butts, tobacco
Dental floss and Q-tips
Baby wipes
Disposable mop sheets
Dryer lint sheets
Vacuum cleaner bags
Hair, pet fur, pet waste
Fireplace or BBQ ashes
Recyclable materials
Items labeled biodegradable (does not mean compostable)
Items labeled Oxo-Biodegradable (does not mean compostable)
Navigate Compost Bins
Residence Halls
Larger composting bins are located outside of Graduate Living Center (GLC), North Avenue, Cloudman, Fulmer, and Woodruff next to the dumpsters.
To compost, students simply collect their compostable waste, either in their room or the common area kitchen, and empty it into the black compost collection bins closest to their residence hall. They can use any type of container to collect the compost waste, and those who want to use compostable containers can contact a Residence Life staff member.
Academic Buildings
The Kendeda Building
Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (
IBB
Dining
Front of House
= You sort your compost.
Back of House
= Staff sort compost behind the scenes.
Front of House Locations:
• West Village Dining Commons
• Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)
• Student Center
Back of House Locations:
• North Avenue and West Village Dining Halls: All food left on the returned dish is sorted by staff to be composted.
• Tech Catering: Handles all composting for their events in Student and Campus Event Centers or on request.
• Student Center Food Court 2
nd
Floor
• Kaldis Cafe
• IBB Cafe
Tech Dining and Tech Catering use primarily compostable single-use cups, utensils, plates, and bowls when not using reusable items.
Campus Event Centers
John Lewis Student Center
Stamps Commons
Exhibition Hall
Global Learning Center
Green Forks
Our Mission:
Every year, heaps of food go to waste from catered events right here on campus. But guess what? Tech Dining, the Office of Sustainability, Campus Kitchens, and Student Life saw an opportunity—a chance to turn those leftovers into something powerful.
We’re excited to launch
GREEN FORKS
—a collaborative initiative involving Tech Dining, Office of Sustainability, Campus Kitchens, and Student Life.
Together, We End Insecurity and Reduce Food Waste:
Tech Dining is committed
make a positive impact on our community and
making sure no student goes hungry on our campus.
For Students
For Event Coordinators
How It Works:
Sign Up:
Reach out to the Students’ Temporary Assistance and Resources (
STAR
) program. Get signed up to receive alerts.
Food Alerts:
When surplus food is available, we’ll let you know. No more hunger pangs!
No registration or prerequisites needed. Submit the Green Forks form for any and all catering leftovers. It does not have to be a Tech Catering event only. It should be the event coordinator or food purchaser who completes this form to make this donation.
Share Your Catering Leftovers:
After your event, don’t let those extra bites go to waste! Fill out our short
form
to let us know about your catering leftovers.
We’ll take care of the rest, ensuring that these surplus meals find their way to students in need.
Email Alerts for Food Insecurity:
Our system sends email alerts directly to students on campus who are battling food insecurity.
Within 15-20 minutes after your event concludes, these students can visit and create their own to-go plates from the available surplus food.
Food Safety Standards:
If your food has been set up for more than 4 hours, it is not recommended to share with the Green Forks community per food safety standards.
Hot foods should not be consumed if at room temperature for 4 hours. Please do not complete the form if your buffet has been set up for 4 hours or more.
Thank you for being a part of this important mission!
Reuse Opportunities
Green Goodbyes Thrift Store (Barnes & Noble)
Green Goodbyes Thrift Store
Know Before You Go:
Store hours:
Tues/Wed/Thurs
: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
, during the fall and spring semesters.
Closed
during summer break and winter break.
Location:
the second floor of Barnes & Noble at Georgia Tech.
Entry to the store is first-come, first-served, with a maximum of eight students in the store at a time. Expect to wait in line during peak times.
Be prepared to transport anything you select, including large items.
Bring your BuzzCard
to verify your enrollment status.
The store is only open to students, but all donations are accepted.
Donating
Items can be dropped off inside the Green Goodbyes store. For large donations, schedule your drop-off by contacting
adutton3@gatech.edu
Financial donations are also accepted through the Georgia Tech
donations page
. Green Goodbyes does not accept food donations. Instead, non-perishable foods can be donated to
Klemis Kitchen
Accepted Items:
We welcome donations of clean, gently used items, such as:
Clothing in good condition
Small appliances and household goods
Please review Georgia Tech’s Housing and Residence Life’s policies for appliances allowed in residence halls:
housing.gatech.edu/node/609
Unaccepted Items:
Unfortunately, we cannot accept:
Foam bedding or pillows
Opened or perishable food
Underwear
Non-functioning appliances
Broken items
Jackets for Jackets (O'Keefe)
Jackets for Jackets
Browse donated apparel and take home up to three items per visit, free of charge! Walk-in donations are accepted during opening hours—no appointment necessary. Jackets for Jackets is for staff only.
Store Hours:
Tuesday – Thursday, 1 – 3:00 p.m.
Location:
O’Keefe Ground Floor, Office 029
Store Access:
Entry to the store is first-come, first-served, with a maximum of three items per visit.
Donating:
Gently Used or New Only
Clothing: Pants, coats, shirts, dresses, sweaters, suits
Facilities Uniforms
Shoes
Accessories: Purses, belts
Children’s Clothing: Infant to Toddler (up to 4T)
Porcelain Service (Tech Catering)
Porcelain Service
For events looking to minimize waste, Tech Catering offers reusable porcelain (china) service-ware as an alternative to disposables. This option includes delivery, setup, and service by trained staff. Internal Georgia Tech departments can use porcelain at no additional charge for events with 15 guests or fewer. For larger events, pricing is based on group size, location, and service needs.
For more information on amenities, booking, and pricing, refer to this
Tech Catering Ordering Procedure Brochure
or contact them at
techcatering@dining.gatech.edu
or 404-894-1542.
OZZI Take Out Program (Tech Dining)
OZZI Take Out
The OZZI program is a sustainable initiative designed to reduce single-use disposable waste in dining facilities.
By utilizing durable, reusable containers, OZZI provides an eco-friendly alternative for takeout meals.
Participants can obtain a reusable OZZI container, use it for their to-go meals, and then return the used container to the dining hall.
The containers are then cleaned and sanitized for reuse, creating a closed-loop system that significantly minimizes waste.
OZZI Take Out Program Tutorial Video
Fill it Forward (Tech Dining)
Fill it Forward
Georgia Tech Dining uses the
Fill It Forward
app as part of the Go Food Program, making to-go dining in campus dining halls reusable by default. Guests dining To Go are required to use the Fill It Forward app to check out reusable containers, helping reduce single-use waste while tracking environmental impact.
Since launching, the program has already seen strong participation and measurable impact, including significant waste diversion and emissions savings. Impact metrics from the Fill It Forward app can be updated regularly to reflect ongoing progress
How it works:
Download the Fill It Forward app
Check out a reusable Go Food container when dining To Go
Return the container and track your reuse impact in the app
Green Labs
My Green Lab
The
My Green Lab Certification
program is an internationally recognized best-practice sharing and verification program. It is designed to give laboratories actionable ways to increase environmental performance (including zero waste strategies) through a continuous improvement process.
Tip Cycle Program
TipCycle is a pipette tip washing and reuse program launched by Georgia Tech faculty and staff with the goal of reducing plastic waste in laboratories.
Follow this link to the
Tip Cycle website
to learn more or submit a Service Inquiry Form.
Purchasing and Surplus
Sustainable Procurement Guide
Sustainable Procurement Guide
The
Sustainable Procurement Guide
is Georgia Tech’s comprehensive resource for sustainable procurement. Developed in collaboration with the Office of Sustainability and Procurement and Business Services, the guide provides considerations for purchases, product-supporting guidelines, and category-specific procurement tips.
Surplus
Surplus Warehouse
Staff and faculty can schedule an appointment
here
to browse available items and repurpose items for their spaces.