We are undergoing a renewal of our waste sorting tool and will post updates to this page in the coming weeks. Thank you for your patience!
Waterloo has standardized our sorting programs on campus, making it easier than ever to find out where items can go. Learn about our sorting programs below, and check out the Shift:Zero sorting guide and app to search for specific items on campus!
Putting your waste in the right stream is essential to making recycling work.
General sorting streams
Garbage
Garbage is part of all multi-stream sorting stations. They have black signage, and take non-recycleable items like plastic bags, chip bags, candy wrappers, and more.
Organics
Organics are part of multi-stream sorting stations in cafeteria areas and lunchrooms, or have small counter-top bins for smaller lunchrooms. They have green signage, and take food waste and compostable take-out containers only.
Recycling
Recycling is part of all multi-stream sorting stations across campus. They have blue signage, and take items like plastic, glass, and aluminum containers.
Papers
Paper recycling is part of all multi-stream sorting stations. They have grey signage, and take items like printer paper, newsprint and magazines, and other paper materials.
Cardboard and other recycling
Cardboard can be collapsed and placed next to any multi-stream sorting station, or may have their own bins next to a sorting station in some locations. They have yellow signage, and accept things like shipping boxes, pizza boxes, and more.
There are also many other specific streams that have drop-off locations or other sorting programs across campus, but are not present everywhere. This includes batteries, clothing, electronic waste, writing utensils, textbooks, scrap metal, and more. Check out the Shift:Zero sorting guide for more info on these programs and locations.