Recycling at Knox

Reducing, Reusing, and Recycling are some of the most direct ways you can make a positive contribution. By reducing the use of purchased goods and materials, you help reduce demand for their production, distribution, and disposal - helping to reduce climate change and pollution. By recycling the items you do purchase, you are decreasing the need for more raw materials also helping the environment and the local economy.

Knox College has had a recycling program since 1993. Working with Knox Advocates for Recycling and Environmental Support (KARES), Facilities Services has broadened the kinds of materials that can be recycled at Knox, as well as the accessibility of recycling bins.

Knox works with a local service that picks up our recyclable materials and transports them to a facility in Seaton, Illinois, where the items are sorted. From there, the materials are disbursed to local recycling centers. Knox currently recycles 55.05 tons of recycling per year, about 302 lbs. per day!

Every year Information Technology Services invites the Knox community to bring obsolete computer equipment to a central collection point. The equipment is disposed of by donating it to local schools or charities or by sending it to a company that will refurbish what can be salvaged and dismantle and recycle what can't. This is done at no cost to the College and it prevents a lot of reusable and recyclable material from winding up in landfills.

What to recycle

All recyclables should be emptied, rinsed, and free of food debris. All materials are collected together in a single bin.

• Plastics -- Any plastic with recycling codes 1,2,3,4,5 and 7 such as drink bottles, milk jugs, detergent bottles, peant butter jars, yogurt containers, butter tubs, and take-out trays
• Film plastics -- Plastic grocery bags, package wrapping, plastic wrap, Ziploc bags, inflatable shipping material
• Any metal -- Aluminum cans, tin cans, steel cans such as aerosol and shaving cream, scrap metal, kitchen ware, lawn chairs, and bicycle frames
• Cardboard -- Corrugated boxes, paperboard packaging such as cereal boxes, soap, tissues, egg crates, food packaging, and shipping boxes
• Paper -- Mixed office paper, newspapers, magazines, junk mail, envelopes with windows, paper grocery bags, and books
• Glass -- Brown and clear bottles and jars only

What NOT to recycle

These items are not recyclable through our local service.

• Any plastic with recycling code 6, such as styrofoam
• Wax-covered cardboard such as milk and juice cartons
• Construction paper, wrapping paper
• Green glass, window glass, Pyrex, and ceramics
• Any food waste, liquid or solid

How to recycle on campus

PLACE IT Recycling bins are in every building on campus, and located outside various buildings. Place recyclables in any designated bin on campus. Local fire codes do not permit storage of recyclables in suite areas. Also remember:

• Do not put food or trash in the recycling bins.
• Empty all cans, bottles, and jars before tossing them in.
• All recyclables must be empty, rinsed, and clean of food debris.
• Large boxes can be broken down and placed next to the bags.

How to recycle in the residence halls and houses

PLACE IT Recycling bins are in every building on campus, in every residence hall/house, and located outside various buildings. Place recyclables in any bin on campus or store in the recycling container in your room. Local fire codes do not permit storage of recyclables in shared suite areas. Those living on campus are responsible for taking their recycling out for collection.

BAG IT Recyclables must be placed in white or clear recycling bags for pick-up. Pick up additional bags from your Resident Advisor.  

LEAVE IT Tie the bag and leave it outside of the entrance to your building on Mondays or Thursdays before 12:00 noon.

Recycling other items

• Mobile phones, MP3 players, electronic handheld device and their accessories
• Batteries of any type
• Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFL's)
• Bubble wrap and packing peanuts
• Writing utensils, ink pens, and markers
• Printer toner and ink cartridges
• CD's, DVD's, VHS tapes, cassette tapes, and floppy discs
• Televisions, computers, computer monitors, small appliances, and radios
• Any type of electronic waste (E-waste)
• Cork
• Old shoes, flip flops, used clothing
• Candy bar wrappers
• Chip bags

If you have any questions regarding Recycling at Knox, please contact our Sustainability Coordinator, Shawn P. Tubb at 309-341-7357.