A-Z Guide
Check out the tabs below to see what you can recycle on campus!
Container Recycling
All containers must be food-free and clean before placed in the recycling bin.
- Plastic bottles
- Plastic tubs, jugs, and jars
- Aluminum cans
- Steel cans
- Glass bottles
- Glass jars
- Cartons
Paper Recycling
- Office paper
- Notebook paper
- Paperboard (Cereal boxes)
- Junk mail
- Envelopes
- Magazines
- Brochures
Cardboard Recycling
- Cardboard boxes (broken down & flattened)
Specialty Recycling
Specialty recycling bins can be found at multiple locations around campus. Visit our interactive recycling map to find out where to recycle the items below.
- Small household batteries
- Small electronics (i.e. cellphones)
- Printer/ink cartridges
TerraCycle
Interested in getting rid of hard to recycle items? The Center for Sustainable Development hosts four TerraCycle drop off stations at 207 Calhoun Street. In addition, there are glove and mask TerraCycle stations in a few additional locations on campus, listed below.
Click here to open the TerraCycle How-To document, or the links below to see what is accepted.
TerraCycle at 207 Calhoun
Due to construction, the TerraCycle bins at 207 Calhoun Street have been temporary moved.
The Blades and Razors TerraCycle is inside 207 Calhoun. Please email zerowaste@cofc.edu with any questions about drop-off or accepted items.
The TerraCycle tower (all other TerraCycle items) is in the pedestrian walkway between 207 Calhoun and Addlestone Library. This can be accessed via Calhoun Street or the Addlestone Library parking lot.
TerraCycle on Campus
- Disposable face masks: in the Robert Scott Small and JC Long buildings
- Disposable gloves: in the School of Science & Math building; check with your lab instructor to see if you have glove recycling in your lab
Other Recycling
Clothing / Household accessories:
- We accept clothing for reuse at the Cougar Free Store. Check our Free Store webpage for current hours/donation times.
- There are a wealth of nonprofit organizations in the Charleston area that accept donations of clothing, household accessories, and more. Instead of throwing away, check out these nonprofits, and donate!
- If the textiles are un-donatable, you can recycle them in the Green Zone bin located behind Addlestone Library near Pitt Street. Look for the big green bin!
Plastic film:
- Plastic bags and other film can be taken back to most grocery stores. Visit Plastic Film Recycling's drop off location finder for more information.
Lightbulbs belonging to the College:
- Contact Facilities Management for disposal.
Personal lightbulbs:
- These can be taken back to the Charleston County Recycling Facilities, or there are other locations that can be found using this EPA website.
- If a CFL bulb breaks, please contact Environmental Health & Safety at 3-1029.
Books:
- Paperbacks – recyclable in CofC’s centralized recycling program and/or Charleston County’s curbside recycling. If you have lots of books, please submit a recycling work order.
- Spiral bound – remove the spiral biding (toss in landfill) and recycle in CofC’s centralized recycling program and/or Charleston County’s curbside recycling.
- Hard bound – NOT RECYCLABLE, the CofC bookstore will accept them if they are no more than 10 years old. They work with Better World Books to reuse when possible.