Recycling & Waste Diversion Efforts at UCF
UCF uses single stream recycling, which means all recyclables can be placed into the same bin. Recycling bins are located throughout all building common areas, including UCF housing communities, and along outdoor walking paths throughout campus.
UCF Recycles is run by Facilities Operations. See the information below from Facilities or our recycling infographic regarding what recyclables can go in the single stream bins around campus:
| Yes! | No! |
| Cardboard (must be clean, no food stains/grease) | Napkins and paper towels |
| Paper (books, magazines, newspaper, boxes, paper egg cartons, paper bags, beverage cartons, etc.) | Soiled paper and cardboard (NO greasy pizza boxes!) |
| Hard plastic items labeled with recycling icon #1-7 (RINSED bottles, tubs, jugs, jars, etc.) | Glass bottles and jars |
| Metal (RINSED aluminum cans, metal lids, and balled-up aluminum foil) | Plastic bags, wrappers, and other soft plastic items |
| Pallets | Plastic cups, utensils, and straws |
| Styrofoam | |
| Batteries, electronics, and lightbulbs |
Please don’t bag your recyclables! If food or other contaminants cannot be removed from recyclable materials, then it must be placed in the trash. If you are unsure whether an item can be recycled, it is better to throw it in the trash than risk contaminating the entire recycling batch. “If in doubt, throw it out!”
Coca-Cola Reverse Vending Machine
When on campus, consider recycling your plastic bottles and aluminum cans at a Coca-Cola Reverse Vending Machine! There are two RVM locations on campus: the Student Union dining area (left) and the Teaching Academy on the first floor (right). Coca-Cola donates 5 cents to Knight-Thon for each item recycled!
Additional Recycling Resources
Items that UCF is unable to recycle may be recycled via other means:
Publix Storefront Recycling
Publix has Plastic, Paper, and Foam bins in front of most stores. You can recycle soft plastics (e.g. plastic bags, plastic overwrap, cereal bags, air pillows, and cling wrap) and styrofoam (e.g. egg cartons, takeout trays, and cups) there.
Source: Publix Corporate
Municipal Recycling
You can also recycle with one of our local counties. Orange County and Seminole County, for instance, do recycle glass (which UCF does not). You could drop off recycling at one of their locations: Orange County Landfill, McLeod Road Transfer Station, Porter Transfer Station, Central Transfer Station, or Seminole County Landfill.
Terracycle
Terracycle partners with many companies to offer free recycling programs for their products. Typically this involves printing out a free shipping label and sending in your products to be recycled. This is helpful for difficult-to-recycle items like cosmetics packaging, toothpaste and toothbrushes, aerosol cans, razors, snack packaging, Brita filters, and much more!
Nordstrom’s Beauty Cycle
In partnership with Pact, Nordstrom offers a “Beauty Cycle” collection program for used hair care, skin care, and makeup products from any brand! Find collection bins in any Nordstrom beauty department, Nordstrom Rack, or Nordstrom Local.
Photographed at Nordstrom Rack in Winter Park
Electronics contain a variety of harmful, and in some cases even toxic substances. Electronics, batteries, lightbulbs, chemicals, medications, and paints are all considered Household Hazardous Waste (HHW). They must be specially disposed of because they can pose risks to our health and the environment if they are discarded in landfills.
For recycling any UCF-owned electronics, visit UCF Surplus. For personal electronics recycling, please use the following resources:
- Orange County Household Hazardous Waste & Electronic Waste Disposal – HHW may be dropped off for free by county residents at the county landfill or Porter transfer station. Community collection events are also occasionally offered by the county.
- Best Buy Electronics & Appliances Recycling
- Staples Recycling Services
Medications may be disposed in the medical collection bin located in the Knights Mall hallway inside the Student Union.
Photographed at the Student Union
In partnership with UCF Business Services, Dining Services, Aramark, Recycling Services, and O-Town Compost, the UCF Arboretum launched a back-of-house composting pilot program in Spring 2024 at 63 South! The hope is to expand the composting program to the other dining hall on campus, Knightro’s, and eventually the Student Union.
A compost table is available during Fall and Spring semesters on Market Wednesdays outside the Student Union for students to drop off their personal compost. Check out our O-Town Compost Flyer Here!
Source: NSM Today
Are you about to move out or just looking to purge your closet? Make sure to donate rather than throw out your used (and in good condition) items so other people can enjoy them!
The UCF Arboretum has been hosting end-of-semester clothing drives that are free for students to attend and snag some free clothes! Keep an eye on our Instagram page, for future announcements.
Clothes, unopened non-perishable food items, furniture, and household items can be donated to Knight’s Pantry on campus for other students to pick up for free.
Additionally, the Orlando community offers many eco-friendly events and opportunities! Organizations such as IDEAS For Us organize clothing swap shops, and there are many local thrift stores such as Goodwill, Plato’s Closet, Omg! Thrift, Out of the Closet, and HOPE Helps that accept clothes, shoes, accessories, and more.