Drexel University Recycling Program

Reduce.  Reuse.  Recycle. Please join Drexel University and the Facilities Management Department in making our University an environmentally safe and compliant campus.

What Drexel Recycles

Paper
Drexel recycles mixed paper such as: office paper, shredded paper, colored paper, gloss coated paper, brochures, pamphlets, books, magazines, envelopes, file folders, notepads and notebook paper.

The University has a preferred vendor, DOCUVAULT that can provide departments with secured paper shredding. To contact DOCUVAULT call 856.853.5160.

Co-mingled Containers
Drexel collects co-mingled aluminum, glass and plastic. Food containers should be thoroughly rinsed clean before being placed in the co-mingled containers. University Facilities Grounds Maintenance Department transports co-mingled recyclables to a Drexel storage facility located at 43rd Street and Powelton Avenue for collection by a contracted recycling vendor.

Cardboard
Drexel collects and recycles all cardboard. Drexel has four cardboard balers where cardboard is prepared for recycling.

Cooking Oils
100% of cooking waste oil is collected to be converted into bio-fuel. Cooking waste oil is recycled from all of Campus Dining’s locations: Northside Market (34th and Race Streets), Ross Commons (34th Street and Powelton Avenue), Handschumacher Dining Center (32nd and Chestnut Streets) and the Queen Lane Medical Campus (2900 Queen Lane).

Other Materials
Drexel recycles additional materials such as: light ballasts, light tubes, light bulbs, computers, tires, motor oil, industrial sized batteries, furniture and electronic equipment, waste toner and ink cartridges.

Composting
University City Main Campus has a compost center located at 43rd Street and Powelton Avenue for all grass clippings, leaves and small tree trimmings. The University Facilities Grounds Maintenance Department oversees the turning of the material into serviceable compost that can be used to support top soil and plant beds.

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New Recycling Receptacles

The BigBelly® solar trash compactors with integrated recycling units for mixed paper and co-mingled aluminum, glass and plastic are completely self-powered, using solar power for 100% of its energy needs.

The BigBelly® solar trash compactor with integrated recycling units is the world’s only system that provides on-site compaction of solid waste and separation of recyclable materials. The unit takes up as much space as the “footprint” of an ordinary receptacle—but its capacity is five times greater. Increased capacity reduces collection trips and can cut fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions by 80%. BigBelly® also provides cost efficiencies from labor savings, fuel cost and maintenance savings, as well as environmental benefits from reduced emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants.

BigBelly® Locations
  • 32nd Street Plaza near the Paul Peck Alumni Center
  • 32nd Street Plaza outside seating area next to Matheson Hall
  • Ludlow Street between 32nd and 31st behind the Bossone Research Enterprise Center
  • Creese Student Center at 32nd and Chestnut Streets
  • Hagerty Library on 33rd and Market Streets
  • Buckley Recreational Field at 33rd and Arch Streets
  • Buckley Green at 33rd and Arch Streets
  • Between Kelly Hall and Myers Hall on Race Street between 34th and 33rd Streets
  • Between Towers Hall and Calhoun Hall on Arch Street between 34th and 33rd Streets
  • Korman Center Quad
  • Additional BigBelly® locations are coming soon.

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    University Housing and Recycling

    Residence Halls
    Located in the Refuse Room on each floor are paper and co-mingled recycling stations.

    34th Street Housing
    Each Fraternity and Sorority property has a designated interior recycling location and there are two outdoor recycling centers located at Lancaster Avenue and 35th Street (Parking Lot-D) and Pearl and 35th Streets.

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    Why Recycle

    Saves Natural Resources - By making products from recycled materials instead of virgin materials, land is conserved and the need to drill for oil and dig for minerals is reduced.

    Saves Energy - It usually takes less energy to make recycled products; recycled aluminum, for example, takes 95% less energy than new aluminum from bauxite ore.

    Saves Clean Air and Water - In most cases, making products from recycled materials creates less air pollution and water pollution than making products from virgin materials.

    Saves Landfill Space - When the materials that you recycle go into new products, they don’t go into landfills or incinerators, so landfill space is conserved.

    Saves Money and Creates Jobs - The recycling process creates far more jobs than landfills or incinerators, and recycling can frequently be the least expensive waste management method for cities and towns.

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    For information about the recycling program and future recycling plans, email recycle@drexel.edu.

    Learn more about Drexel University’s commitment to sustainability at drexel.edu/green.