Typical Questions About Waste Management at UNC Charlotte
How do I recycle (a specific item)?
Use the Waste Wizard tool to search for the item or material. Entries will direct you to the campus collection options for common materials, or provide contact information for special handling. The Waste Wizard is set up for campus waste collections, and may not be applicable to managing waste generated at a home off-campus.
Can I bring my home recycling (or compost, or trash, etc.) to campus?
No, it is against state law. One reason is the expense to the university (a state agency) of waste handling and disposal. Another reason is to avoid overwhelming the campus collection systems that are built to handle on-campus work, services, events, and residences.
Please check your local town, city or county services to know the options for home waste disposal. These options may include curbside services, drop-off centers, and web services (for example, Mecklenburg County maintains its own version of Waste Wizard). Businesses in your community may also take materials back, including supermarket recycling bins for plastic bags and electronics stores collecting e-waste.
I am planning a large event. Who collects our waste?
If the event is indoors, the waste services should be coordinated by staff at Conferences, Reservations and Events Services (CRES). If the event will be held at an outdoor venue, please submit a work request through ARCHIBUS. FM 311 will review the request and route it to the appropriate group (Grounds, or Building Environmental Services & Recycling). While CRES should also be aware of the outdoor events, the work order will ensure that you get the best advice promptly. Depending on the size and complexity of the event, you may be asked to rent equipment or to use a university janitorial contract to handle the waste collections and cleanup.
I want to clean up my office (or classroom, shop, lab, etc.) and there is too much stuff for the recycling station near me. What should I do?
Please submit a work request through ARCHIBUS requesting supplementary bins for a cleanout. If you aren’t familiar with ARCHIBUS, your building liaison may be able to help, or you can contact FM311 at 704-687-1311. BES & Recycling staff will bring rolling carts for the different materials, and will work with you to get them emptied or removed as needed.
Are we really recycling (or composting, or re-using, …) this stuff?
Yes. The University tracks all materials shipped from the campus and compiles annual waste reports to the State. Waste Wizard helps the university be transparent about what we can, and cannot, divert from the landfill. There are occasions when a recycling or composting company will reject a shipment, usually due to high levels of “contamination” (trash and the wrong materials in the mix), and the material has to go to a landfill for disposal. For information about specific companies and locations that receive campus materials, follow this link: What Happens After Collection
Where do I get more bins for my workspace?
If you believe your workspace has inadequate waste services, please request a review by a campus professional here. They will determine if the space has the proper type and number of bins, and request any adjustments to collection service. This allows the university to manage both the expenses for equipment and the use of staff labor. In many cases, bins will be provided from the campus inventory.
Do I have to empty my own trash and recycling from my office?
Yes. Since 2011, offices have been self-service. Each office or cubicle should be outfitted with a 7-gallon blue recycling bin to collect paper, bottles, and cans, along with a small black trash caddy that mounts on or in the recycling bin. Each office worker is responsible for bringing materials to the closest Recycling station, which may be in a lobby, hallway, or in a breakroom.