#  Recycling & Waste 

 



##  Recycling & Waste Services 

 

Recycling & Waste Services leads Harvard’s waste management and reduction efforts across the Cambridge, Allston, and Longwood campuses. We manage trash, recycling, compost, and reuse programs; partner with Schools and units to prevent waste; and rethink how materials are purchased, used, and recycled to support the University’s zero waste goals.



 

 

 

      ![A recycling employee emptying a container into a recycling truck](/sites/g/files/omnuum12911/files/styles/hwp_4_3__1540x1160/public/2026-06/Truck.png?h=3e8863a2&itok=jpnf6kvP) 

 

 



 

 



 

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##  What We Do 

FMO Recycling & Waste provides education, planning, and day‑to‑day services for trash, recycling, compost, and reuse across campus.

Our team:

- Manages specialty recycling and reuse programs
- Supports events, moves, and clean‑outs
- Helps Schools and units route unwanted materials into responsible reuse, recycling, or disposal streams

Use the [Waste Wizard](/recycling-waste/waste-wizard "Waste Sorting & Recycling") to find the right bin for any item, visit the [Recycling & Surplus Center](/recycling-waste/surplus-center "Recycling and Surplus Center") for free and surplus goods, and download [waste signage](/recycling-waste/waste-signage "Waste Signage") to label bins in your space.



 

  [### Recycling and Surplus Center

 ](/recycling-waste/surplus-center)Find free furniture, equipment, clothes, and more!



 

   ![Exterior of a building with an entrance, a large white R, and a tree outside on a bright sunny day](/sites/g/files/omnuum12911/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-04/072523_HarvardRevealed_RecyclingTour_022%20resized.JPG?itok=vuOHiSBa) 

 

 

 

  [### Zero Waste

 ](/recycling-waste/zero-waste)Explore Harvard's waste stewardship framework and how we are working toward a zero waste campus.



 

   ![Two people browsing items at a reuse event](/sites/g/files/omnuum12911/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-04/2025.04.22_Harvard%20Earth%20Day-51.jpg?itok=kbPHpLTf) 

 

 

 

  [### Waste Sorting & Recycling Guide

 ](/recycling-waste/waste-wizard)Not sure which bin an item should go in or how to dispose of something tricky?



 

   ![Someone opening an exterior recycling bin and placing an item inside](/sites/g/files/omnuum12911/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-04/110321_Features_KS_302%20resized.jpg?itok=a52NvpPx) 

 

 

 

  [### Waste Signage

 ](/recycling-waste/waste-signage)Download recycling, compost, trash, universal waste, and other waste signs for your space.



 

   ![Labels showing Recycle, Compost, and Trash signs](/sites/g/files/omnuum12911/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-04/Recycle_0.png?itok=-TY6Yzt2) 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

### Stay Informed 

 

Sign up for the [Harvard Recycling newsletter](http://eepurl.com/hP-Ph5) to hear about upcoming events, news, and new resources in our campus waste world. You can also browse our [latest newsletters](https://us20.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=bced36b4f8baf986ea0a8c3db&id=295ee6da39) and our [earlier newsletters](https://us20.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=1156cd5f645c0966256b4593d&id=b99be51fe5).



 [ Sign Up Now arrow\_circle\_right ](http://eepurl.com/hP-Ph5) 

 



      ![A portion of a sign that reads "Zero Waste at Harvard". ](/sites/g/files/omnuum12911/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2026-04/2025.04.22_Harvard%20Earth%20Day-18_0.jpg?itok=nzZILIhU) 

 

 

  

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

##  Harvard Recycling by the Numbers 

for calendar year 2025

 

 



4,260+

visits to the Recycling & Surplus Center

 



1,886

tons of single-stream recycling collected

 



1,073

first-time Waste Wizard users

 



23,109

pounds of electronics securely recycled

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

##  Frequently Asked Questions 

 



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###    How/where do I properly dispose of \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ ?  expand\_more  

Use the [Waste Wizard](/recycling-waste/waste-wizard "Waste Sorting & Recycling") for questions on which bin or waste stream something belongs in.

For bulky items, donations, or other items that fall outside of trash/recycling/compost, see our [Donations and Specialty Recycling resource](/resource/donations-and-specialty-recycling "Donations and Specialty Recycling").

 

 



###    Can I donate items to the Surplus Center?  expand\_more  

If you are a student living on campus, or a staff member asking about Harvard-purchased items, you can donate to the Surplus Center. Learn more in our [Donations and Specialty Recycling ](/resource/donations-and-specialty-recycling "Donations and Specialty Recycling")resource.

If you are not affiliated with Harvard, we unfortunately can't accept your donations.

 

 



###    Where does Harvard's recycling go? Does it actually get recycled?  expand\_more  

Harvard's recycling is processed at a local Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), where items are baled, sold, and turned into new products (details below). Waste vendors don’t want to trash our recyclable items – those are commodities that they can (and do) sell!

- Aluminum cans → new aluminum cans
- Cans and tins → new tin cans and other metal products
- Aluminum foil → material used in steel manufacturing
- Paper → about 50% shipped to domestic paper mills and 50% exported internationally, mostly to Vietnam, Indonesia, and India
- Glass → all glass is remade into a concrete mix for roadwork and construction
- HDPE plastic → shipped domestically to a plastic processor for variety of new products (car parts, buckets, etc.)
- PET plastic → shipped domestically to make new water bottles, carpeting, and fleece
- Other plastics → shipped domestically, used in making recycled paint cans and furniture

You can see this process in action by joining one of our periodic MRF tours, announced through our [newsletter](http://eepurl.com/hP-Ph5).

This information can change quickly as recycling markets and supplies are frequently in flux. This page will be updated as needed with any changes.

 

 



###    What about contamination in the recycling bins?  expand\_more  

Materials Recovery Facilities (MRF’s), where recycling streams are processed, have machinery and processes that can sort out many contaminating items. Close to 20% of the material that comes into the recycling facility (not only Harvard’s recycling) is sorted out and disposed of as trash. However, some items can be problematic for MRF’s. For example, plastic bags, cords, and textiles wrap around the sorting machinery, causing delays and serious hazards for the workers that must remove it.

Some of the most common contaminants are:

- Items that would normally be recyclable but are contaminated with liquid or food waste (e.g., a soda bottle that is not empty): these belong in the trash if you're unable to empty or rinse them
- Plastic film, such as plastic bags, plastic mailers, bubble wrap, etc.: this should either be recycled in specific film collections or put in the trash
- Utensils: on campus, utensils are usually compostable and can go in a compost bin. Otherwise, they're a trash item
- Compostable plastic: this should go in a compost bin, or a trash bin if composting isn't available

 

 



###    Where does Harvard’s food waste go, and how is it processed?  expand\_more  

After leaving campus, food waste is processed at a local organics processing facility, the CORe in Charlestown. There it’s de-packaged, mixed into a bioslurry, and transported to Greater Lawrence Sanitary District’s wastewater treatment plant to aid in anaerobic digestion. This contributes to more efficient renewable energy production and produces biosolids as a byproduct.

Most contaminants will get filtered out and disposed of through our food waste vendor’s de-packaging system. Glass is an exception to this: when glass goes through the de-packaging system, it breaks into little pieces and contaminates the food waste.

We transitioned from traditional composting to this new system in 2018. We continue to use “compost” on bin signage because it’s a familiar term for what belongs in this stream, even though the material is processed by anaerobic digestion rather than traditional composting.

 

 



###    Where do Harvard's other waste streams end up?  expand\_more  

**Trash** is either incinerated at a Massachusetts waste-to-energy plant, or landfilled out of state in New Hampshire or Michigan. The ratio of how much is landfilled versus incinerated changes frequently and depends on facility capacity and wait times.

**Textiles** are often distributed for local reuse at our [Recycling & Surplus Center](/recycling-waste/surplus-center "Recycling and Surplus Center"). Any unwanted items are then sent to a regional textile recycler. From there, depending on the quality, items are either reused as apparel, or processed for raw materials to be made into rags or insulation.

**Mattresses** are offered for local reuse at our Surplus Center. We also partner with the United Teen Equality Center to recycle surplus mattresses. UTEC employees deconstruct mattresses to separate foam, steel, wood, and fibers.

**Electronic waste** and **universal waste** are processed by an R2-certified e-waste recycler in southeastern MA.

**Plastic film** (LDPE) is baled at our Recycling & Surplus Center and brought to a local processing facility. It is typically made into plastic bags.

**Ink cartridges** are sent to a domestic cartridge recycler, where they are either made into new cartridges or sent back to the original manufacturer.

**Wood scraps** are sent to a local construction materials recycler, where they are either made into new products or renewable energy.

 

 



###    How can students, faculty, staff, and other community members get involved in Harvard's waste reduction efforts?  expand\_more  

- Explore our [Waste Stewardship Framework](/recycling-waste/zero-waste "Zero Waste") and learn about Harvard's work towards a Zero Waste campus
- Read our [Top Tips](/resource/top-tips "Top Tips") for the most impactful actions you can take
- Host or support a Freecycle, waste audit, or Fixit Clinic
- Explore more ways to get involved through the Resources section at the bottom of this page

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

##  Contact Recycling & Waste 

 



  [### Dailey Brannin

 ](/people/dailey-brannin) [dailey\_brannin@harvard.edu](mailto:dailey_brannin@harvard.edu)Recycling Services Supervisor

 

 

 

      ![Headshot of a woman with reddish brown hair and glasses](/sites/g/files/omnuum12911/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2026-05/dailey_brannin_harvard.edu-159cafc7-edited.jpg?itok=zixGOF9k) 

 

 

 

   [### Kieran Clyne

 ](/people/kieran-clyne) [kieran\_clyne@harvard.edu](mailto:kieran_clyne@harvard.edu)Manager of Recycling Services

 

 

 

      ![Headshot of a man wearing a blue polo](/sites/g/files/omnuum12911/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2026-05/Kieran%20headshot.jpg?h=24f3d2e4&itok=aqorPPYU) 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

##  Resources 

 



  [### Waste Sorting & Recycling

 ](https://fmo.harvard.edu/recycling-waste/waste-wizard) How should you throw that away? Learn about proper disposal. 

 

 

   ![A trash bin, a recycling bin, and a compost bin placed next to each other. ](/sites/g/files/omnuum12911/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-04/example%20sorting2.png?h=fc7955b6&itok=bF7DUJ1Q) 

 



 

 

   [### Donations and Specialty Recycling

 ](/resource/donations-and-specialty-recycling)Looking to donate or recycle something, but aren't sure how to?



 

 

   ![an office chair](/sites/g/files/omnuum12911/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-04/AdobeStock_1858083058.jpeg?itok=VtoyQdJ3) 

 



 

 

   [### Solid Waste Bans in MA

 ](https://www.ehs.harvard.edu/resource/solid-waste) Learn more about items banned from trash disposal in Massachusetts. 

 

 

   ![A cardboard box](/sites/g/files/omnuum12911/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-04/IMG_3081.jpg?itok=Mas9oNV6) 

 



 

 

   [### Top Tips

 ](/resource/top-tips)The most impactful actions you can take to reduce waste on campus.



 

 

   ![People browsing books at a reuse event](/sites/g/files/omnuum12911/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-04/2025.04.22_Harvard%20Earth%20Day-49.jpg?h=7f710112&itok=z2rumY6x) 

 



 

 

   [### OFS: Zero Waste

 ](https://sustainable.harvard.edu/our-plan/how-we-operate/waste/) Explore Harvard's waste data through the Office for Sustainability. 

 

 

   ![Someone holding a phone scanning a sensor in a waste bin](/sites/g/files/omnuum12911/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-04/2023_03_21_Harvard_Nordsense_Installation-31%20smaller.jpg?itok=7P-0Wt8u) 

 



 

 

   [### Sustainable Purchasing Guidelines

 ](https://sustainable.harvard.edu/resources/sustainable-purchasing/) Reduce waste through your purchasing practices on campus. 

 

 

   ![A stack of white binders](/sites/g/files/omnuum12911/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-04/IMG_3075.jpg?itok=baEIbcuq) 

 



 

 

   [### Sustainable Meeting and Event Guide

 ](https://sustainable.harvard.edu/resources/meetings-and-events/) Learn how to reduce waste at meetings and events on campus. 

 

 

   ![Event waste bin set up showing separate and labeled bins for multiple waste streams](/sites/g/files/omnuum12911/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-04/Gund%20ZW-Events_02.jpg?h=543c0747&itok=crC24ir0) 

 



 

 

   [### Sustainable Labs Guide

 ](https://sustainable.harvard.edu/schools-units/sustainable-labs/) Reduce waste and promote sustainable practices in your lab. 

 

 

   ![Pipette pen shown with pipette tip boxes and droppers](/sites/g/files/omnuum12911/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-04/IMG_3072.jpg?itok=bB1jaB6O) 

 



 

 

   [### Recycling & Surplus Center

 ](https://fmo.harvard.edu/recycling-waste/surplus-center) Free, surplus campus goods. 

 

 

   ![A variety of used furniture ](/sites/g/files/omnuum12911/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-04/IMG_0935.jpg?h=c873fc29&itok=4H5ng0GC) 

 



 

 

   [### Waste Signage

 ](https://fmo.harvard.edu/recycling-waste/waste-signage) Download waste signage here. 

 

 

   ![Labels showing Recycle, Compost, and Trash signs](/sites/g/files/omnuum12911/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-04/Signage%20%281090%20x%20613%20px%29.png?itok=LCaTY6uU) 

 



 

 

  

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