Campus Waste Sorting Guide
Landfills are a major contributor to climate change. Not only do they increase the risk of soil, water and air pollution, but they also release a mixture of greenhouse gases such as methane.
That is why STU encourages you to avoid landfilling by rethinking the way you consume following the waste hierarchy before disposing of it.
Can I Reduce it? Rethink your purchase of non reusable items.
Can I Reuse it? Rethink your relationship to your stuff. Find new purposes for things you already own, practice borrowing and sharing, and donate things you no longer need.
- Donate your used textiles to the Enactus STU Spring Up Clothing Swap on Campus
- Sell your used textbooks back to the UNB bookstore
- Buy and sell used textbooks on the STU Used Books Facebook page
Can I Recycle it? Rethink before putting something in the trash. Recycle better and more often. Learn how to sort and help close the loop by purchasing recycled and recyclable products.
STU has three sorting streams for non-hazardous waste: paper recycling, returnables recycling, and garbage (landfill).
Sort recyclables properly to avoid bin contamination. Putting non-recyclable items into the recycling bins can contaminate the whole bag, forcing it to be landfilled.
Paper Recycling
Must be CLEAN and DRY.
| Recyclable | NOT Recyclable |
|---|---|
| Newsprint: Newspapers, flyers, magazines, and catalogues | Coffee cups |
| Cardboard & Boxboard | Takeout containers |
| Paper: Envelopes (with or without windows), computer paper, scribblers, coloured and white bond paper, phonebooks, paperback books, cardboard egg cartons | Plastic box liners |
| Waxed paper | |
| Snack wrappers | |
| Hardcover books | |
| Spiral-bound notebooks | |
| Paper towel | |
| Wrapping paper |
Returnables
Beverage containers purchased in New Brunswick.
Must be CLEAN and EMPTY.
| Recyclable | NOT Recyclable |
|---|---|
| Cans | Milk Cartons |
| Plastic bottles | Paper coffee cups |
| Glass bottles | Plastic coffee cups |
| Juice Cartons | Solo cups |
| Juice Boxes | Food containers |
| Non-dairy milk cartons (oat, soy, almond, etc.) |
Garbage
The very last option. However, remember that it’s better to throw something in the landfill than to potentially contaminate a whole bag of well-sorted recycling. If you cannot empty your container or of if you are not sure how to sort your item, when in doubt, throw it out.
| Garbage | Recyclable |
|---|---|
| Milk Cartons | Clean and dry returnable beverage containers |
| Paper coffee cups | Clean and dry paper and cardboard |
| Plastic coffee cups | Hazardous waste (i.e., electronics, batteries, lightbulbs, chemicals) |
| Solo cups | Broken glass |
| Food containers | |
| Soiled paper and cardboard (pizza boxes, food wrappers) | |
| Waxed paper | |
| Snack wrappers | |
| Paper towel and napkins | |
| Food waste | |
| Disposable cutlery |
E-Waste
The STU community can dispose of unwanted personal electronic devices, such as smartphones, batteries, and empty printer cartridges at an electronic waste recycling bin in The Harriet Irving Library.
University-issued electronic devices should be returned to STU’s ITS department.
Off Campus Waste Sorting Guide
The City of Fredericton currently offers curbside recycling to single-unit residential buildings. As of May 1, 2025, all residential buildings with five or more units will also be included in curbside recycling pickup. The City of Fredericton operates two centrally located community recycling depots for apartment residents.
Consult the City of Fredericton website for off-campus sorting guidelines.