Sustainable Materials Management

Trash

At Marquette, there is a concerted effort to divert as much waste as possible from the landfill.  All trash collected goes to the Emerald Park Landfill in Muskego, WI. At this landfill, gas is collected and distributed for energy use at the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewage District's Jones Island Water Reclamation Facility to power their operations. The conversion of landfill gas to energy is an effective means of recycling and reusing this valuable resource. Learn more about the landfill gas-to-energy process at Jones Island.

It can be difficult to know where to dispose of materials that are not made for the common trash bin. See the specific areas we collect along with places to drop off your products that are at the end of their life cycle.

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Electronic Waste

Computers, televisions, VCRs, stereos, printers, copiers, cellphones and fax machines are common electronic products. Many of these products can be reused, refurbished, or recycled.

Disposal: For e-waste accumulated on the Marquette campus only, submit a Facilities work order for pick-up. Marquette properly disposes of electronic waste using a certified third-party hauler. 

Universal Waste

Alkaline batteries can be disposed of in the trash or brought to BatteriesPlus 

Lithium ion batteries (rechargable batteries, batteries in laptops), must be disposed of properly by Environmental Health and Safety. Please submit a work order. 

Disposal of: mercury-containing equipment, lamps, and aerosol cans folllow Marquette's Universal Waste Management Plan for disposal guidance. 

Toner and Ink Cartridges

Toner and ink cartridges can be brought to the first floor of Wehr Chemistry. 

Food Waste

Marquette University diverts pre-consumer food waste in The Commons Dining Hall and Schroeder Dining Hall. Food waste is collected by Compost Crusader (local, women-owned small business) and hauls the food waste to Blue Ribbon Organics where it is turned into rich compost!

Recycling 

Marquette University participates in single-stream recycling which means that all items that can be recycled are collected in one bin and then sorted at an offsite materials recovery facility (MRF). 

In efforts to reduce contamination of recycling bins, Campus Sustainability developed updated recycling signage to serve as an educational visual to community members on what can and cannot be disposed of in the recycling bins. 

Marquette Campus Sustainability recycling signage

Frequently asked questions on how to recycle at Marquette University:

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What can be recycled?

  • Empty metal cans
  • Dry paper
  • Empty plastic bottles
  • Folded cardboard
  • Empty glassware

Make sure your recyclables are not disposed within a bag, as they should be loose.

What cannot be recycled?

  • Plastic bags in any form
  • Food or beverages alone, within packaging, or individual packaging that has been stained by them
  • Wet paper
  • Styrofoam

Are there specific plastic numbers that can be recycled?

  • Plastic #1, 2, 5 are recyclable - The Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) grinds these down and are sold to become new plastic packaging. Please make sure your plastics are empty, clean, and dry prior to disposing in the recycling bin. 
  • Plastic #3, 4, 6, 7 are not recyclable and should be placed in the garbage.

What is recycling contamination?

When non-recyclable materials or garbage is present within the recycling bin, the entire lot becomes contaminated which disrupts the recycling process. The action of innacurate recycling, not cleaning items, or disposing of containers with food residue, put all contents in the bin at risk for being sent to the landfill. Ensuring that content you intend to recycle is correct, is empty, clean, and dry is critical for recycling to work and go to the MRF.

Move-Out & Move-In

In 2023, Marquette launched MarKept Move Out to collect good condition, unwanted items from student waste streams and donations during the residence hall move out process.

Surplus 

Marquette University's Purchasing Department values economic, social, and environmental sustainability and puts that into practice through every facet of their operations. The Purchasing Department manages the university's surplus furniture and equipment, making every effort to keep items that are in good, usable condition from going to the landfill. 

If you are a Marquette University staff or faculty member, you may take advantage of the surplus program. Discover what is available at the Purchasing Surplus website.