Over the last year, the University has been working hard to continue expanding the single-stream recycling program by establishing more recycling toters and back-of-house dumpsters in high-volume locations. Significant milestones have been achieved while others are underway, including expansion to the following locations:
-
The Joyce Center & Purcell Pavilion, to collect fans’ recyclable cans and bottles starting at the beginning of basketball season. Recycling for back-of-house operations and offices was initiated in August 2024.
-
The Compton Ice Arena, to collect fans’ recyclable cans and bottles starting at the beginning of hockey season. Recycling for back-of-house operations and offices was initiated in August 2024.
-
Although recycling has been available in Notre Dame Stadium, a more robust collection process will begin this season to help ensure recyclables are picked up and sorted after the game.
Recycling and landfill waste cabinets in Duncan Student Center. - Duncan Student Center & LaFortune Student Center. Note: Duncan’s first and second-floor recycling toters are now enclosed in waste cabinets, while LaFortune’s second-floor toters are encased in cabinets. Look out for signage that denotes recycling collection versus landfill.
Congratulations, Irish! Thanks to the dedication of Building Services staff managing our recycling program every day alongside the individuals on campus who mindfully sort their recyclable waste, the University has seen a 46% increase in single-stream recycling tonnage over the last fiscal year! On average, our campus toters are currently collecting 9,400 pounds of recyclables each week—equivalent to the size of an African elephant. The University recognizes that more work remains to be done with single-stream recycling on campus. Still, this achievement remains a significant success as Notre Dame continues its commitment to diverting waste from the landfill and making the recycling program successful.
Notre Dame aims to make further reductions in the amount of waste sent to the landfill in the year ahead. Here’s how you can support the recycling program on campus to influence an even greater impact:
-
Familiarize yourself with how to properly sort your waste by referring to the A-Z Recycling Directory. The general rule of thumb is: yes to recycling aluminum, glass, paper, and rigid plastics.
-
Utilize your personal desk-side bin to collect recyclable materials and identify the centrally-located recycling toter near your office, classroom, lab, or dorm.
-
If you’re planning an event and need recycling, submit an AiM work request using the “Recycling” tile to request temporary event bins. Note: To access AiM, you must be connected to Eduroam or the campus VPN.
-
Cardboard, while it is accepted by our recycling servicer in the toters, takes up considerable space that disallows other high-value materials from being collected. Please break down cardboard boxes and place them in the separate cardboard carts available throughout campus. If you have a significant amount of cardboard that needs to be picked up, submit an AiM work request using the “Recycling” tile.
-
If you do not have a toter in your building or office, or you would like to request a desk-side bin, submit an AiM work request to ask that recycling be added to your location. Note: Submitting a request does not guarantee receipt of a toter. Requests will be reviewed with the designated building contact for that location.
Stay up-to-date with the newest recycling information and other news from Notre Dame Sustainability by subscribing to The Green Ambassador.
Originally published by at green.nd.edu on August 19, 2025.