Trash, Compost, & Recycling

Recycling at Hampshire College is known as single stream recycling, which means that we do not separate paper, plastic, and metal into subcategories - all of our recycling goes in one bin. (Note - this does not include recycling of uncommon waste types - see below for more information.) 

What’s recyclable?

Paper, glass, metal, and rigid plastic (#1, 2, and 5) is recyclable. 

Before placing your item in the bin, it should be empty, clean, and dry. Items should not have food residue in them - rinse them with water before recycling. Caps and labels on bottles are okay to be recycled; they do not need to be removed. See the table below for a more detailed list of what can and cannot be recycled.

More on plastic:

Rigid plastic is hard plastic, unlike plastic film, which can be crumpled up. Only rigid plastic (#1, 2, and 5) should be recycled at Hampshire. Check your item for a number stamped in a triangular recycling symbol - this indicates the type of plastic. While plastic film recycling does exist, we do not currently have plastic film recycling on campus. 

Please do not put rigid plastic in the recycling if it is not plastic #1, 2, or 5. Plastics #3, 4, 6, and 7 do not belong in the recycling bin and will contaminate the waste stream, which can potentially lead to that batch not being recycled. 

Where does it go?

Our recycling is picked up by USA, which is a waste hauling company. You may have seen their signs on dumpsters around campus. They take our recycling to Valley Recycling in Northampton.

Composting is a process that turns organic material (food scraps, soiled paper, etc.) into nutrient-rich soil. It diverts organic material from the landfill, reducing emissions, and creates soil that can be used for gardening and preventing soil erosion.

What’s compostable?

All food waste, including meat and bones, can be composted. Soiled paper, napkins, pizza boxes, paper towels, and paper plates can also be composted.

Not all products labeled “compostable” or “biodegradable” can actually be composted. Martin’s Farm accepts compostable materials that are BPI Certified only. Look for the following label on products to determine if they are truly compostable.

Where does it go?

Most of our compost, including the compost collected in bins around campus at the Kern, Dining Commons, and Bridge, is all sent off campus to Martin’s Farm, an industrial composting facility. 

The only compost we process on campus is at the farm, which is exclusively generated at the farm itself. There are a few isolated exceptions to this, like the compost station at the community garden, but the vast majority of our compost stream is not processed on campus. None of the compost bins you see around campus are being taken to the farm. This is because the farm cannot handle contamination, which is when something is in the compost that does not belong there, or compostable plastic, which must be composted at industrial facilities like Martin’s Farm.

Our compost is hauled by a company called Casella to Martin’s Farm in Greenfield. They are an industrial composting facility that composts food waste (including meat and bones), soiled paper products (including napkins), and BPI Certified compostable products, turning them into soil.

The overarching goal is to divert as much waste from landfills as possible. This can be done by reducing our consumption of disposable products, reusing items, in some cases, donating or sharing materials. When those options have been exhausted, the next step in waste diversion is  recovering materials through recycling and composting. When we can’t reuse, recycle, compost, or donate materials, we unfortunately have to put them in the trash.

What belongs in the trash?

If your item cannot be recycled or composted, it belongs in the trash. There are certain items, like clothing, large electronics, and hazardous waste that are banned from being put in the trash and have special disposal protocols. See the table below for more details on items banned from being disposed of in the trash.

While everyone is encouraged to make an active and informed decision about what bin to dispose of your items in, if you’re really not sure, it’s actually best to put your item in the trash to avoid contaminating the recycling or compost waste streams. If too many items are incorrectly placed in the recycling or compost, it can result in the entire batch being thrown away.

Where does it go?

Our trash is hauled by USA to the USA Hatfield Transfer Station, and then to various different locations. There is no nearby landfill, so trash is frequently transported to various further locations, some of which are burn sites. Burning trash is not a sustainable method of disposal, but unfortunately, it still does take place.

Clothing/Textiles

Donate clothes to the Student Resource Center, Center for Feminisms Garb Room, or collection bins available at move-out each year.

Batteries & Electronics

Bring to electronic waste recycling bins behind the Library

Aerosol Cans

Leave on shelves behind the Graffiti Wall, for collection by campus staff

Lab Waste

Dispose of according to signage in Cole Science Center.

Hazardous Waste

Contact Steve Fratoni, Environmental Health & Safety Director, rsfPP@hampshire.edu

Yard Waste

Contact James Sanner, Grounds Supervisor, jsPP@hampshire.edu

Construction Waste & Scrap Metal

Contact Steve Duffy, Director of Facilities, srdPP@hampshire.edu

Mattresses

Contact Audra Schwalm, Custodial Supervisor, sdPP@hampshire.edu

Solid Waste Sorting Rules at Hampshire College

Updated Signage Project

(Link to report coming soon!)

Updated Signage Presentation

Lab Waste Project

Massachusetts Waste Bans

Martin’s Farm (Video)