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Recycling & Waste

Two students wearing T-Shirts that read "Penn Sustainability" and masks are standing over a cardboard box next to a pair of recycling bins. Behind them is a full recycling dumpster with broken-down cardboard.

At Penn, we like to recycle, reuse, and repeat. Single-stream recycling is the Penn standard, with specialty recycling programs positioned across campus. Our recycling and waste initiatives focus on holistic minimization and diversion.

Penn’s 2009 Climate Action Plan paved the way for significant waste diversion progress. Today, innovative and effective solutions continue to come from Penn’s Environmental Sustainability Advisory Committee’s (ESAC) Waste and Recycling Subcommittee.

We believe that every individual plays a crucial role in reducing our environmental footprint, and recycling is a fundamental part of this effort. By understanding what can be recycled and how to do it properly, we can collectively contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable future. Learn the types of materials that can be recycled on our campus, as well as the locations of specialty recycling and tips for effective recycling practices.

Penn also implements recycling programs like Green2Go and PennMoves, helping limit disposable items headed to the landfill. Regular waste and recycling audits continue to identify trends and find new ways to ensure a clean future.