Recycling

Did you know there are now FIVE R's?

Rethink - You can minimize waste by thinking about what you are buying or doing. For example, buy in bulk, it requires less packaging.

Reduce - Change your habits. Do you really need to print that website or could you just send it to yourself via e-mail? If you need to print, double-side it.

Reuse - Did you accidentally print a blank sheet at the end of your paper? Use that extra sheet for notes in your next class or meeting.

Recycle - When you can't use an item any longer, recycle it in the proper manner, or pass it on to someone else who can use it. Be sure to know what is recyclable and only place those items in the recycling container. Also, remember to buy recycled to continue the cycle.

Refuse - Refuse to take plastic bags from the grocery store or styrofoam cups or containers. Let local businesses know you don't want these items.

Tips to reduce your waste

  • Buy products with the least amount of packaging possible.
  • Take along canvas bags when shopping.
  • Avoid disposable items, such as plates, cups, napkins, etc.
  • Choose items made of recycled content.
  • Buy "economy" or bulk items, but only in sizes you will use.
  • When choosing between beverages in plastic or aluminum, go for the aluminum. It takes just six weeks for that aluminum can you throw in your recycle bin to end up back in use in a new container on your grocery store shelf!
  • Maintain and repair items when possible.
  • Reduce fast food packaging. Refuse styrofoam boxes and plastic bags. Keep a knife and fork set tucked in your purse or car.
  • Make your voice known to businesses.

On This Page

Recycling On Campus

Recycling At Home

Recycling On Campus

If your recycling bin is full, please contact Facilities Services at 352-395-5521.

Paper

Blue receptacles are located in each building. Faculty and staff need to empty small blue bins from office in larger big blue bins located in common areas.

  • Newspaper, Magazines, Office Paper, Junk Mail, Brown Paper Bags
  • Shredding (must be in plastic bags)
  • Cardboard boxes (must be broken down and placed next to bins)

Cans and Bottles

Receptacles are located around campus.

  • Aluminum Cans
  • Glass bottles and jars
  • Plastic bottles
  • Yogurt containers
    (remove all lids and clean out containers)
  • NO PLASTIC BAGS or SOLO/DRINK CUPS

Electronic Waste (e-Waste)

  • Old discs, CDs, keyboards, etc. can be picked up by facilities and moved to Surplus for recycling. Place a work order with facilities (352-395-5521) to move the items.

Light bulbs

  • All light bulbs (CFL's, projector, fluorescent tube) can be sent to Central Stores in Building U for proper disposal. Contact Facilities at 352-395-5521 for more information.

New or Lightly-used Office/School Supplies

  • Items can be donated to Santa Fe College's Share Wear (352-395-5217) our on campus thrift store or Tools for Schools (352-374-5213), which serves students and teachers in Alachua County by providing a free store for classroom supplies and creative learning materials.

Printer Cartridges

  • All college purchased printer cartridges are to be recycled through the manufacturers and retailers via the return label inside the box of the newly purchased cartridges. If there is no label provided in the box, then all cartridges are to be sent to Purchasing for recycling through the various recycling programs where the college receives the benefit/credit.

Other Items

  • Please contact Purchasing at 352-395-5217 for proper disposal procedures.

Recycling At Home

Alachua County recycles 60% of its waste. That's one of the highest recycling rates in the entire State of Florida!

Visit the City of Gainesville Curbside Collection Services page for information on what goes in your blue and orange bins along with proper disposal of other items. 

The City of Gainesville also has a Zero Waste Wizard which allows you to search unwanted items and learn the proper way to dispose of them.

Household Items:

  • Baby, Food, and Clothing Items - Donate to:
    • Saints Share Wear is Santa Fe College's thrift shop for men's, women's and children's clothing, shoes and accessories. Contact csc@sfcollege.edu or visit Saints Share Wear (sfcollege.edu) to find out more. Saints Share Wear is open every Wednesday and Thursday from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
    • Peaceful Paths is the certified domestic abuse network that serves survivors of domestic violence in Alachua, Bradford, and Union counties. Peaceful Paths provides a wide range of services including emergency shelter, transitional housing, crisis hotline, victim advocacy, children's programming, education and training, counseling and support groups, community awareness and intervention, violence prevention programs, and batterer's intervention programming. Items that can be donated can be found on their needs list at Peaceful Paths.
    • The Repurpose Project is a non-profit community based effort to divert useful resources from the landfill, redirect these items to the public for art and education, inspire creativity, and help us all rethink what we throw away. For a list of items visit the Repurpose Projects Item Donations page.
    • Bread of the Mighty Food Bank takes donations of food that is used to help fight hunger in our community.
  • Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) - Compact fluorescent lighting presents special disposal considerations. These CFLs contain mercury and should not be thrown out with the regular garbage. GRU recommends recycling any bulb containing mercury at any of the five Alachua County Rural Collection Centers located across the county or at the Alachua County Hazardous Waste Collection Center. Most hardware stores also accept CFLs for recycling.
  • Educational Supplies - Donate to Tools for Schools which provides Alachua County Public School teachers supplies at no cost. Visit the Tools for Schools website for more information
  • Furniture - Donate to:
    • Vetspace provides housing and case management to veterans.
    • The Repurpose Project is a non-profit community based effort to divert useful resources from the landfill, redirect these items to the public for art and education, inspire creativity, and help us all rethink what we throw away.
  • Hazardous Wastes - Hazardous wastes such as poisons, flammable liquids, corrosives, propane tanks (less than 20 lbs), automotive fluids, batteries, antifreeze, paint products, pharmaceuticals, and CFLs can all be taken to the Hazardous Waste Collection Center at 5125 NE 63rd Ave. (2 miles north of Gainesville Regional Airport on Waldo Road). If you are unsure if an item is hazardous, please contact the Alachua County Hazardous Waste office at 334-0440. Visit the Alachua County Hazardous Waste Collection Website for more information.
  • Used Books/DVDs/Video game consoles - Used books, DVDs and video game consoles can be donated to several local organizations.
    • SF Library will take donations of books. Contact Myra Sterrett at 395-5150 for more information.
    • Friends of the Library accepts books year-round and has a drop-off box accessible 24/7 at 430 N. Main St. to sell for support of the libraries and literacy projects.
    • The Streetlight program at Children's Hospital at UF Health takes Children and Young Adult DVDs, books and gaming consoles. Contact Emily Sullivan with Streetlight for details at 352-273-9596 or e.sullivan@peds.ufl.edu.
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