A Student Guide to Recycling: Think Twice Before You Throw It Away

Recycling can recover materials and reduce the amount of waste sent for disposal, but putting an item in a recycling bin does not guarantee that it will be recycled. Materials and collection rules vary by location. For students, the best starting point is to reduce unnecessary waste, reuse items when possible, and sort the rest according to the instructions of the local collection service.

Reduce and reuse before recycling

Recycling matters, but avoiding unnecessary purchases and reusing useful items should come first. Carry a reusable bottle, use both sides of paper when appropriate, borrow or exchange study materials, and refuse packaging you do not need. These choices prevent waste before you have to decide how to dispose of it.

1. Separate materials carefully

Identify the main materials in your waste: paper and cardboard, plastic packaging, metal cans, glass, food scraps, and items that do not fit the available recycling categories. Follow the labels on campus bins or the guidance provided by the collection service. Do not assume that every material accepted in one building or city is accepted everywhere. If bins are unclear, ask the campus facilities team or collection provider rather than guessing.

2. Keep recyclables clean and dry

Food residue and liquids can soil paper and other materials. Empty bottles and containers, remove leftover food, and follow local instructions about rinsing. Let items drain or dry before placing them in the correct container. Paper or cardboard with heavy grease or food contamination may not be accepted with ordinary paper recycling. Separate clean sections only if the local service allows it.

3. Know the basics for common materials

Paper and cardboard: Keep them dry and free from food; flatten clean boxes when required. Tissues and heavily soiled paper may be treated differently from clean paper.

Plastic bottles and containers: Empty them and check which types are accepted. A recycling symbol or number does not by itself mean the local programme accepts that item. Flexible wrappers and multi-layer packaging may have different rules.

Metal cans: Empty cans and handle sharp edges carefully. Follow local instructions about lids.

Glass: Use a designated glass collection point if available. Do not put broken glass into an ordinary recycling bin unless the service specifically instructs you to do so.

Food scraps: Some programmes accept food waste for composting or separate treatment, while others do not. Keep food waste out of recycling containers unless the instructions say otherwise.

4. Avoid common recycling mistakes

• Do not put food or liquid inside containers for clean recyclables.
• Do not assume all plastics, paper products, or packaging are accepted.
• Keep batteries, electronics, chemicals, and special waste separate from ordinary recyclables.
• Do not place sharp or broken items in a bin where they may injure collection workers.
• Do not leave sorted materials beside a full bin unless the service permits it.

5. Handle batteries and electronics separately

Used batteries, chargers, cables, and electronic devices may require special handling. Keep them separate from ordinary waste and use an authorised collection point or take-back programme where available. Do not dismantle batteries or electronic devices unless you are trained to do so, and never place damaged or leaking batteries in a normal recycling bin.

A simple routine for students

Keep clearly labelled containers where space allows, empty and dry recyclable packaging, check campus bin labels, and ask for guidance when an item is unclear. If you organise an activity with classmates, share the accepted-material list before collection so that everyone sorts items in the same way.

Think twice before you throw it away

When you are unsure, ask yourself:

• Can I avoid this item next time?
• Can I reuse it or pass it to someone else?
• Does the local collection service accept this material?
• Is it clean, dry, and safe for the designated bin?
• Does it need a special collection point?

RE:HANU message: Reduce what you use, reuse what you can, and recycle according to local guidance. Careful sorting helps make waste management safer and more effective.