Recycling, Composting, and Waste

Butler utilizes a single-stream recycling system in which all recyclable materials are collected in the same container. Butler University’s recycling program collects:

• All paper and cardboard products
• Plastics #1, #2, and #5
• Aluminum
• Glass

*Items put into recycling bins must be empty and clean. Drinks must be dumped out prior to recycling and food containers must go to waste if dirty. For example, pizza boxes with grease are not recyclable. Certain items such as plastic wrappers or napkins cannot be recycled.

Butler contracts with Denali Waste and Environmental Services to compost all food waste produced at A-Town Café and Midtown Provisions.

Denali is an industrial composter and depackaging facility, enabling it to accept a wider variety of food waste and accommodate contamination. Unlike household composting, Denali accepts all types of food waste, including meats, dairy products, and processed foods. Additionally, the depackaging process separates food from any wrappings or packages, allowing for the full recovery of organic material.

While Butler University has the goal of being zero waste by 2030, there are a few items on campus that cannot be recycled or composted. Currently, these items are sent to a waste to energy incinerator.

• The IT Help Desk (Irwin Basement) accepts used batteries, light fixtures and ballasts, empty toner cartridges, laptops, tablet batteries, and electronic cabling from offices, departments, and residence halls on an as-needed basis and recycles them. Learn more about E-waste recycling with IT.
• Used and outdated furniture is donated to Indianapolis’ local branch of the St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Charitable Organization.
• Any usable older computers, printers, fax machines, copiers, and monitors are sold through Christy’s Auction House.
• All landscaping waste is kept out of campus waste receptacles.
• As required by LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for new construction and renovations, 90 percent of construction debris is diverted from landfills, including scrap metal, bricks, and old/unused wood.
• All old carpeting removed during building renovation is recycled.
• Hinkle Fieldhouse seats were salvaged during the renovation project and sold to the public.