Recycling & Waste Reduction

Technology retailers like Best Buy and Staples both offer computer and electronic recycling.

Bucknell recycles University electronic equipment through The Federal Prison Industries Inc. (UNICOR) Recycling Group at U.S. Penitentiary Lewisburg, where components are reused as much as possible.

Most Bucknell printer cartridges can be recycled and will generate income in return. Ink jet cartridges should be placed into the box that your replacement toner came in be sent to the Office of Civic Engagement, 119 Bertrand Library, via campus mail. Students will sort and recycle them as a fundraiser for Bucknell Brigade to Nicaragua.

Personal printer ink cartridges are collected by the Student Environmental Club and Office of Procurement Services at collection locations throughout campus.

Toner cartridges are tanks that hold toner. They cannot be recycled through the Office of Civic Engagement program, but cartridges will be picked up by campus mail and delivered to the Office of Civic Engagement, where they will be sorted and taken to UNICOR for recycling. The cartridges should be placed in plastic bags to prevent ink spills.

Bucknell copy machine cartridges should be sent to Office of Civic Engagement, 119 Bertrand Library, via campus mail. Students will sort and recycle them as a fundraiser for Bucknell Brigade to Nicaragua. The cartridges should be placed in plastic bags to prevent ink spills.

Tires may be taken to Lycoming County Landfill, where they will then be sent to a tire recycling vendor.

Lycoming County Landfill
447 Alexander Drive
Montgomery, PA 17752
800-326-9571

Used car batteries may taken to NAPA for recycling.

Bucknell's Facilities Warehouse collects used Bucknell furniture. Reusable furniture is stored in a warehouse for possible reuse by the University. Excess used furniture is recycled by several local non-profit organizations.

Each spring, the Office of Residential Education and the Office of Campus Sustainability hold a sustainable move-out drive benefiting local nonprofits. In the last month of classes, donation boxes are placed in designated locations in residence halls around campus and regularly picked up.

A: Bucknell composts all landscaping waste around campus, including leaves, tree trimmings and cut grass. This becomes mulch that is used as fertilizer, closing the loop and adding to sustainable landscaping. Some pre-consumer food scraps are also composted.

A: It may still be recycled via single stream recycling. Minor food contamination is acceptable but please wipe off any remaining food residue into a trash can.

A: Yes, but no pizza please.

A: Tissues and paper towels are not recyclable. The fibers in these products are too short to be used in new products and the nature of their use often makes them too contaminated for recycling.

A: Cardboard is acceptable in single stream recycling but it is also bulky, so break it down to leave room for other recyclables, or take it directly to the dumpster area. For large recycling pick-ups of cardboard boxes email pplant@bucknell.edu and Facilities will coordinate the details.

A: No. We do not have the resources to serve the larger community. Contact the Union County Recycling office to learn about recycling in the Lewisburg area.

UC Government Center
155 N. 15th Street
Lewisburg, PA 17837
570-524-3848

A: No, restroom cans are for restroom items only.

A: Desk-side bins in faculty and staff offices are for recycling only because most office items are recyclable. If you have food items, they should be taken to the nearest trash can and not placed in desk-side bins. This action also helps create efficiency for custodial staff throughout campus because they are able to collect trash from centralized cans rather than desk-side bins.

A: In addition to signage, a blue can is always designated for recycling throughout campus.