Iowa State University practices single stream recycling for glass, metal, plastic and paper for all students, faculty and staff. All campus offices are provided recycling bins and buildings host various locations for two wheeled single stream totes. Residence in the halls can request on a volunteer basis to practice recycling in their rooms. It is the student’s responsibility to take out their recycling to the dumpster around their residence. Iowa State has achieved an average diversion rate of 68% as of fiscal year 2022 and has a goal of achieving 85% by the end of fiscal year 2025. 

Recycling also takes place through campus operations. Items such as (but not limited to) electronics, chemicals, rechargeable batteries, light bulbs, toner cartridges, lab equipment, cell phones, confidential documents and demolition and construction waste are diverted from the landfill through various recycling streams. Other items recycled at Iowa State are mattresses and used cooking oil, while not an established program, mattresses have been sent to recyclers and cooking oil sampled into biofuel. 

ISU Dining practices recycling through reuse of plastic pallets used for food delivery and recycles cardboard in which product is delivered. Broken kitchen equipment is also recycled into scrap metal.

Though a part of the university’s single stream recycling system, glass has a unique companion recycling opportunity at ISU. In 2012, through a partnership with the City of Ames' Resource Recovery System, focused on diverting all glass waste from the community’s waste stream, the Laboratory Glass Recycling Program was established. This program, developed and implemented through a collaborative effort of FP&M, Environmental Health and Safety, and the Office of Sustainability provides durable, leak-proof and reusable glass recycling bins for campus laboratories. The City of Ames also provides glass collection containers across campus, specifically targeting glass waste from campus operations.

In addition, a number of targeted recycling efforts take place throughout the academic year to increase awareness and engagement in waste diversion for the on-campus community, as well as visitors to Iowa State, such as the TreeCYcle program, which recycles downed campus trees into furniture.

See the dropdowns below to see how recycling is making an impact within each of the three facets of sustainability. 

  • The campus-wide installation of solar recycling compactors has reduced the number of pickups by a ratio of 5:1, saving both time and money, and has also reduced fuel and emission costs.In partnership with ISU Environmental Health and Safety, Transportation Services recycles engine oil.
  • ISU Dining employs nearly 1,800 students per year, offering beneficial economic sustainability opportunities.

  • In addition to recycling traditional items such as glass and cardboard, ISU Dining recycles the plastic pallets used for food delivery. Broken kitchen equipment is also recycled as scrap metal.
  • Through single-stream recycling, batteries, cell phones, lab equipment and more are recycled, as well as glass, metal, plastic and paper.
  • To ensure proper handling of hazardous materials and reuse of recyclable materials, Environmental Health and Safety recycles 50,000-70,000 fluorescent light bulbs each year.
  • The Department of Residence always strives to recycle. In collaboration with Live Green! and Ohio Mattress Recovery and Recycling, the DOR recycled 900 used mattresses from Frederiksen Court. By utilizing this service, the DOR saved roughly 20,000 cubic feet of landfill space, as 94% of the materials in each mattress can be recycled.
  • Any and all vehicular parts are recycled if they cannot be sold. For example, the Iowa Department of Transportation converts old tires from Transportation Services into paving material for state highways.
  • Glass waste, a non-beneficial fuel source for the Ames Resource Recovery Center, is collected across campus through single-stream recycling, as well as in laboratories, and recycled for use in the manufacturing of products such as fiberglass.

"At Iowa State recycling offers a strong impact on social sustainability as well. Reducing waste headed to the landfill offers more longevity to the health of the community and the lifespan of the landfill. Promoting recycling programs offers community engagement and environmental awareness, which helps develop us into better stewards of the resources we can divert. By practicing recycling we can innovate with a positive influence, practice and envision a greater quality of life and promote inclusive growth within our communities at Iowa State University."

Steve Kohtz, Recycling Services and Special Events Coordinator

At Iowa State, our single-stream recycling is essential to minimizing and diverting waste. We strive to empower students, faculty and staff toward ensuring non-contaminated recycled material - significantly reducing landfill waste and adding to a more circular economy where materials are reused and repurposed.

Steve Kohtz, Recycling Services and Special Events Coordinator