Recycling

Contact recycle@coastal.edu or (843) 349-6954 for all your recycling and waste reduction needs at Coastal Carolina University. 

For special requests for recycling, such as on-campus events, staff and faculty clean-outs, please complete a Facilities Work Request. 

• Mixed Paper (newspaper, magazines, paper - shredded paper must be in clear bags, junk mail, catalogs, phone books, text books)
• Cardboard (corrugated cardboard, snack boxes, cereal boxes)
• Plastic Bottles and Jugs (leave lids on)
• Metal and Aluminum Cans
• Glass Bottles and Jars
• Empty Ink Cartridges (all sizes, brands)**
• Used Batteries (alkaline, lead-acid)**
  • Place a piece of non-conductive tape, such as electrical tape, Scotch tape, duct tape, etc., over the ends to prevent any current transfer. You can also bag each battery individually in a Ziploc-type plastic bag instead of taping the ends.
  • Store the batteries in a Ziploc-type plastic bag or cardboard container so that electricity is not conducted in case there is a spark.
  • Remove batteries from electronics. Dead laptops must be recycled separately from dead laptop batteries. This is not required for small electronics such as cellphones or iPods, which can be accepted by most battery recyclers.
  • Cover the terminals with non-conductive tape, such as electrical tape, Scotch tape, duct tape, etc. 
• Techno Trash (used ink cartridges, computers, computer parts and accessories, cell phones, CDs, floppy disks, VHS tapes)**
• Plastic Bag and Film (select department locations only)
• Pizza Boxes
• Tennis Shoes (HTC Center only)
• Aerosol Cans (select department locations only)

**ONLY in specially marked bins labeled "Techno Trash," located in academic and administrative buildings.

Coastal Carolina University follows countywide recycling guidance. For more information about what to recycle in Horry County and to locate your nearest recycling convenience center, visit https://www.solidwasteauthority.org/recycling.html 

At CCU we strive to make it easy for everyone to participate in recycling and learn how to "recycle right." Listed below are some tips and best practices for recycling, no matter where you may be!

• DO rinse containers to remove food residue before putting them in the recycling bin. Rinsing or wiping food residue keeps odors to a minimum and reduces pest. 
• DON'T recycle paper products with food residue, compost them instead. For more information about food waste composting at CCU, click here.
• DO recycle paper, even if it has tape, staples, or plastic windows (envelopes), there's no need to remove these before recycling. 
• DON'T practice "wishcycling." Wishcycling is the disposal of consumer waste in a recycling bin in hopes of it being recycled, when it cannot or is unlikely to be recycled. See the list above for items you can recycle at CCU and get to know your county's recycling rules. For the full list of items you can recycle in Horry County, click here. 
• DO toss an item in the trash if you're not sure it can be recycled. It may seem counterintuitive but, when in doubt, throw it out!

Students can pick up a free teal recycling bin from CHANT411 in the Lib Jackson Student Union or at any of the University Housing Community Desks. It's yours to keep forever, no need to return it! We encourage its use even after your time at CCU.

Faculty and staff can request an Office Mini-bin (consists of a teal recycling bin and a small black trash bin) by emailing sustain@coastal.edu or recycle@coastal.edu. 

All academic and administrative buildings on campus have recycling stations throughout each building. The most common locations include lobbies, hallways, breakrooms, and copy/mail rooms. Outside of the buildings, we offer recycling along sidewalks, at the entrances to buildings and at all the main campus bus stops.

Please contact recycle@coastal.edu or (843) 349-6954, if you need help locating a recycling station. 

Students living in residential buildings on main campus or at University Place can empty personal recycling bins at any of the outdoor green recycling containers located next to trash dumpsters around University Housing.

Faculty and staff can empty their Office Mini-bin at any of the nearest recycling stations located in their building. 

If you need help locating a recycling container, please contact recycle@coastal.edu or (843) 349-6954. 

Members of the CCU community are now able to drop off food waste and certified compostable materials along Elvington Loop on CCU's main campus. Personal compost bins are available for those who wish to participate. These compost bins hook onto existing teal recycling bins too! To learn more, click here. 

Recycling Amounts (total tonnage for all commodities, including C&D debris):

• 2010-2011: 195 tons
• 2011-2012: 492 tons
• 2012-2013: 1,309 tons
• 2013-2014: 540 tons
• 2014-2015: 2,086 tons
• 2015-2016: 1,281 tons
• 2016-2017: 472 tons
• 2017-2018: 544 tons
• 2018-2019: 571 tons
• 2019-2020: 310 tons