The sustainability office visited our recyclery to learn about the process and to answer your recycling questions
On the way to the Recyclery
Marie Fechik-Kirk and Miranda Wilcha inside the recyclery, where single stream recycling is sorted, baled and then sold to be re-used. 
Yes, we can recycle all shapes and sizes of metal and aluminum cans. 
No, we can't recycle little tiny pieces of aluminum foil. At our recyclery these small bits of foil don't usually make it through the system, because they are too small. 
Yes, we can recycle plastic bottles 
Yes, we can recycle this bottle with a little water remaining in it. However, the air jets that push the plastic bottles off of the convener belt may not be able to separate out heavy bottles full of liquid. If we want to ensure that our bottles are recycled, please dump out any liquid first. Also for safety reasons, it's best to take off the cap before it goes to the recycling center. 
Yes, we can recycle the plastic yogurt cup with some yogurt remains. We actually took this very yogurt container to share with the division manager at the recyclery. He says yes, you can recycle something with a little yogurt remaining. You don't have to wash it out. Please throw away the foil lid. 
Yes, if this is plastic cup is labeled with a recycling symbol 1-7 and there is just a thin film of liquid, we can recycle it. 
No, we can't recycle plastic silverware or coffee stirrers at our recyclery
Yes, we can recycle a plastic tote, plastic crate, or plastic bucket, as long as it has a recycling symbol on it. These totes and crates are baled and ready to be shipped out, so they can be reprocessed. 
Yes we can recycle all different types of paper from newspaper and magazines to notebook paper and letters 
Yes, we can recycle shredded paper. Please bag shredded paper in a clear plastic bag, separate from other recyclables. Once at the recyclery, workers will separate the shredded paper bags by hand, so that it can be baled. If you place shredded paper into a bag of mixed recycling, some of the smaller shreds may not make it through the process, as the pieces are so small. 
Yes, we can recycle notebooks. We can leave the wire spiral attached, as a machine will remove the metal spiral
Yes, we can recycle paper receipts 
Yes, we can recycle file folders. Please remove the metal tabs first. These get stuck on the sorting machines and can cause problems. 
Yes, we can recycle this envelope 
No, we can't recycle this as is. However, if you want to separate the paper from the plastic bubble wrap, you can recycle the paper at Lafayette and recycle the plastic bubble wrap at a grocery store with a plastic film take-back container. Both the Giant Grocery Store and the Target near campus accept plastic film to recycle. 
No, we can't recycle this at Lafayette. However, you can recycle it at a grocery store with a plastic film take-back plastic film container
Yes, we can recycle cardboard. Please break down all boxes. 
Yes, we can recycle these tetrapak boxes, too
