Zero Waste at Ohio State
Ohio State aims to achieve zero waste by minimizing waste generation and increasing recycling, repurposing and composting of waste materials generated on our campus. This work includes implementing infrastructure and program improvements to prevent waste generation, increase recycling, expand compost options, and educate the Buckeye community on proper waste disposal procedures and opportunities.
Students and the rest of the Buckeye community play an important part in our zero waste efforts. While Ohio State provides the opportunity, people must take a moment to sort their trash properly.
How do I recycle on campus?
Recycling at Ohio State is single-stream, meaning all recyclables are placed in the same bin instead of being separated. However, trash still needs to be placed in a different container. Look for the color of the container: at Ohio State, we use red bins for recycling, and gray or black bins for trash. Also, take note that the rules for recycling differ by municipality; therefore, what you can recycle at home can vary greatly from what we do here. Live in the city of Columbus? Great! Ohio State and Columbus have the same rules for what goes in the recycle bin. However, it's important to check with your landlord or property manager to see if you can recycle at your apartment or house. The city of Columbus does offer curbside recycling but only for certain households.
It's important to recycle right!
How do I compost on campus?
Organic waste represents approximately one-third of Ohio State’s total waste stream. These organic materials, like food scraps, can be converted into a soil fertilizer through composting. Composting refers to the natural process where organic materials break down. Organic material that ends up in the landfill breaks down in an environment that lacks oxygen, resulting in the release of methan gas, which is more toxic to the environment than carbon dioxide. So, composting helps to reduce our carbon footprint. At Ohio State, composting occurs in all our dining locations; look for the green bins to compost your organics!
Any organic material can be composted, including food scraps and trimmings, coffee grounds, coffee filters, paper towels, napkins, compostable bags, and compostable food containers. Most to-go containers served from Campus Dining locations are compostable--including the clear plastic lids! However, it's important to note that not all food providers have compostable to-go containers, so be sure to check them for a label indicating the containers are compostable.
Students who live in the residence halls can compost right in their buildings! Check out the public compost bins in kitchens and hall lobbies. Students who wish to collect compost in their room may also sign up to receive a free compost mini-bucket to collect food scraps and other organic materials, then bring the materials to the public composting cans. Request a compost bin, and we will deliver it to your residence hall package center. Live off campus? No problem! You can still partipipate by collecting your organic material and bringing it to one of our nine drop-off locations when you come to campus. You still need to register first, and then you can pick up a bin at T
Learn more about composting to ensure you understand how it works.