Waste Disposal Guide

As a reminder, always ask yourself first: can I avoid producing waste? We encourage you to challenge yourself to keep this question in mind when buying products, planning events, or going about other daily activities! When you do have waste, we can help you place it in the correct stream. Our goal is to divert as much waste away from incineration as possible, and instead into compost or recycling.

Use the search box below or click on the category filters to find out how to dispose of these commonly used products. We are working to make this list as comprehensive and useful as we can. Don't see a particular item listed below? Let us know by filling out this form!

 

Discarded or used ziplock bags

Ziplock Bags

Trash

Discard or used wrapping paper

Wrapping Paper

Trash

A common cardboard tissue box

Tissue Box

Trash: Plastic wrapping and used tissues

Recycle: Cardboard

Discarded sponge with scrubbing pad

Sponge

Trash: If used

Donate: To Worthmore if new

Empty carton of soup

Soup Carton

Recycle

Empty soup cans

Soup and Vegetable Cans

Recycle

A pad of green sticky notes

Sticky Notes

Post-It Notes

Recycle

A pile of unused staples. Image from Pexels.

Staples

Trash

A pile of shredded paper

Shredded Paper

Compost or Recycle

A pile of discarded scrap paper

Scrap Paper

Compost or Recycle

A discarded receipt

Receipt

Recycle

Packaged computer printer paper

Printer Paper

Compost or Recycle

A paper poster

Poster

Donate: to Worthmore

Stack of post cards fanned out across a surface

Postcards and Greeting Cards

Recycle

Crumpled plastic wrap

Plastic Wrap

Trash

A crumpled paper towel.

Paper Towel

Compost

Trash: If sprayed with cleaners or chemicals

Pile of colorful paper clips. Image from Pexels.

Paper Clips

Recycle

Used brown paper bag

Paper Bag

Recycle: If bag is dry

Compost: If bag is wet or contaminated with food waste

Used padded envelope

Padded Envelope

Recycle: If envelope is made of paper and not padded

Trash: If envelope is padded or has bubblewrap

Crumpled brown paper packaging

Packing Paper

Recycle or Compost

Composition notebook as sold in the Swarthmore Campus Community Store.

Notebook

Recycle: If used

Donate: To Worthmore if new

Discarded newspapers

Newspaper

Recycle

A discarded magazine

Magazine

Recycle

Empty liquid soap dispenser

Liquid Soap

Recycle: If item is made of plastic #1, #2, #5

Trash: If item is made of plastic #3, #4,or #6, or black plastic

Two green laundry detergent pods

Laundry Detergent Pods

Trash: If used

Donate: To Worthmore if new

Empty laundry detergent jug

Laundry Detergent Jug

Recycle: If made of plastic #1, #2, #5

Dontate: To Worthmore if new

A used K-Cup

K-Cup

Trash

Used foil baking dish

Foil Baking Dish

Compost: Food scraps

Recycle: Baking dish

A discarded apple laptop charger

Electronic Waste (E-Waste)

Ink Cartridges, Batteries, Electronic Devices

View the Electronic Waste Disposal Guide for more information.

A used paper envelope

Envelope

Recycle: If envelope does not have plastic seal

Trash: If envelope has plastic seal

A small pile of dryer sheets

Dryer Sheets

Trash

A ball of dryer lint

Dryer Lint

Trash

Empty plastic bottle of dish soap

Dish Soap

Recycle: If bottle is made of glass or of plastic #1, #2, #5

Three sheets of construction paper (purple, green and brown)

Construction Paper

Recycle: If clean and free of contaminants (glue, tape, glitter, etc.)

A stack of white coffee filters

Coffee Filters

Compost: Filter

Trash: Plastic wrapping

Used coffee bag

Coffee Bag

Trash

Snow boots and pink clothing

Clothing

Donate: If in good condition

Empty candy bar wrapper

Chocolate Bar and Candy Wrappers

Recycle: If wrapper is clean and made of paper or foil

Trash: If wrapper is made of plastic

Empty milk carton

Cartons

Milk, Boxed Water, Soup, Broth

Recycle

Empty Nature Valley cardboard food package

Cardboard Food Packaging

Recycle

Empty cardboard box. Image by Giorgio Trovato and UnSplash.

Cardboard Box

Recycle

An empty biscuit tin

Biscuit and Wafer Tins

Trash

Empty plastic bread bag

Bread Bag

Trash

Used aluminum foil

Aluminum Foil

Recycle

Plastic vitamin bottle

Vitamin Bottle

Recycle: If made of glass or clear/white plastic #1, #2, #5

Trash: If made of plastic #3, #4, or #6

Plastic jar of vaseline

Vaseline

Recycle: If item is made of glass or clear/white plastic #1, #2, #5

Trash: If item is made of plastic #3, #4, #6

Plastic travel tissue bag

Travel Tissue Bag

Trash

Toothpaste tube and packaging

Toothpaste

Recycle: Cardboard box and tube if made of  plastic #1, #2, #5

Trash: If tube is made of plastc #3, #4, #6

Cardboard toilet paper roll

Toilet Paper Roll

Recycle

Black and white colored electronic thermometer

Thermometer

Trash: If used or broken

Donate: To Worthmore if unused and unopened

Tampon, applicator, and packaging

Tampon

Recycle: Applicator and packaging (if provided by the College)

Trash: Tampon

Two sterilizing wipes on a table

Sterilizing Wipes

Trash

Bar of soap and paper packaging

Soap Bar

Recycle: Paper packaging

Trash: Bar of soap

Donate: To Worthmore if new and unopened

A plastic bottle of Dove shampoo

Shampoo, Conditioner, and Body Wash Bottles

Recycle: If item is made of clear/white plastic #1, #2, #5

Trash: If item is made of plastc #3, #4, #6

Two condom wrappers

Sexual Health and Safety Products

Condoms, Lube, Dental Dam, Birth Control Pills, Pregnancy Test

Trash

A pile of Q-tips

Q-tips / Cotton Swabs

Trash

Empty or used ointment bottle

Ointment Cream / Gel

Trash

A functional plastic nail clipper

Nail Clipper

Reuse

Plastic mouth wash bottle

Mouthwash

Recycle If item is made of plastic #1, #2, #5

Trash: If item is made of plastic #3, #4, #6

Used/opened menstrual pad

Menstrual Pad

Trash

Empty plastic and foil medicine pill tab

Medicine Pill Tabs

Trash

Empty medicine container with label peeled off

Medicine Container

Recycle: If item is made of plastic #1, #2, #5

Trash: If item is made of plastic #3, #4, #6

A used mascarra applicator

Mascara

Trash

Used makeup removing pads and container

Makeup Removing Pads

Trash

Used makeup brushes

Makeup Brushes

Trash: If used

Empty Aveeno bottle

Lotion

Recycle: If item is made of glass or clear/white plastic #1, #2, #5

Trash: If item is made of plastic #3, #4, #6

Three lipsticks on a table

Lipstick and Gloss

Recycle: If item is made of glass or clear/white plastic #1, #2, #5

Trash: If made of plastic #3, #4, #6

Used self warming hand warmer package

Hand Warmers

Trash

Used blue latex/nitril gloves

Gloves

Trash

Blue glass makeup bottles

Glass Containers for Makeup/Skincare

Recycle

Used Gauze pad

Gauze / Bandage

Trash

Abottle of foundation makeup

Foundation

Recycle: If item is made of glass or clear/white plastic #1, #2, #5

Trash: If made of plastic #3, #4, #6

A used face mask package

Face Mask

Trash

Empty plastic face cleanser bottle

Face Cleanser

Recycle: If made of clear/white plastic #1, #2, #5

Trash: If made of plastic #3, #4, #6

Empty plastic eyedropper

Eyedrops / Nosedrops

Recycle If item is made of glass or plastic #1, #2, #5

Trash: If item is made of plastic #3, #4, #6

Used disposable razor

Disposable and Reusable Razor Blades

Trash

Used plastic deodorant packaging

Deodorant

Recycle: If made of clear/white plastic #1, #2, #5

Trash: If made of plastic #3, #4, or #6

A used COVID-19 at-home test

COVID-19 At-Home Test

Trash

Three used cotton balls

Cotton Balls

Trash

A plastic bottle of cough syrup

Cough Syrup

Recycle: If item is made of plastic #1, #2, #5

Trash: If item is made of plastic #3, #4, #6

A standard plastic contact case with one white lid and one green

Contact Lenses & Container

Trash: Used contact lenses and packaging

Recycle: Container if item is made of plastic #1, #2, #5

A used cold pack

Cold Pack / Ice Pack

Pour water in sink. 

Trash: wrapper

Used band-aid

Band-Aid

Trash: If used

Empty plastic Swarthmore Co-Op sushi container

Swarthmore Co-Op Sushi Container

Trash

Empty plastic Swarthmore Co-Op prepared food container

Swarthmore Co-Op Prepared Food Container

Recycle: Clear plastic lid

Trash: Black plastic base

Empty red solo cup

Red Solo Cup

Trash

Crumpled plastic bag

Plastic Bag

Trash

Empty hot beverage cup from Hobbs with lid and sleeve

Hobbs Hot Cup

Recycle: Cardboard sleeve

Trash: Lid and cup

Clear plastic cold cup from Hobbs

Hobbs Cold Cup

Recycle

Empty Dunkin Donuts hot cup with lid

Dunkin Donuts Hot Cup

Trash

Empty plastic Dunkin Donuts cold cup

Dunkin Donuts Cold Cup

Recycle: Cup

Trash: Straw

Empty clear plastic boba cup

Boba Cup

Recycle: If made of plastic #1, #2, or #5

empty yogurt container

Yogurt Cup

Recycle: If item is made of glass or clear/white plastic #1, #2, #5

White Takeout Container

Recycle: White plastic base and clear lid

Used wooden utensils

Wooden Utensils

Compost

Empty Trü Frü container with lid

Trü Frü

Recycle: If pint is clean and has no wax lining

Trash: If pint interior has wax lining

A used teabag and wrapper

Tea Bag

Trash: Wrapping and staple

Compost: Tea bag (if it's not made of plastic or cloth)

Empty Tastycake wrapper

Tastykake

Compost: Food scraps

Trash: Plastic wrapping

A cardboard takeout container

Takeout Lunch Container

Recycle: If item is made of paper or provided by the College

Trash: If item is made of plastic

Plastic sushi containers

Sushi Container

Trash

Various papepr seasoning packets

Sugar, Salt, and Pepper Packets

Compost: If made of paper

Trash: If made of plastic

Paper soup container with lid

Soup/Chilli Container (On-Campus)

Compost

Empty styrofoam cup with graphic

Styrofoam Cup

Trash

Various gummy worm products

Sour Gummies

Gummy worms

Recycle: If container is made of  #1, #2, or #5 plastic

Trash: If container is made of plastic wrap or #3, #4, or #6 plastic

A glass soda bottle

Soda Bottle

Recycle: If made of glass or #1, #2, or #5 plastic

An empty Biscoff wrapper

Snack Wrapper

Trash

An empty Cheez-it bag

Snack Bag

Trash

A small sadwich clamshell

Small Sandwich/Salad Clamshell

Compost

Empty roasted seaweed packaging

Roasted Seaweed Packaging

Trash

Maruchan ramen packaging

Ramen

Recycle: Plastic bowl if made of clear or white #1, #2, or #5 plastic

Trash: Plastic wrapping, peel-away lid, and/or styrofoam container

An empty GoMacro wrapper

Protein Bar Wrapper

Trash

An empty Pringles container

Pringles Container

Trash

An empty beef jerky pouch

Pouches

Beef Jerky, Trail Mix, Mixed Nuts

Trash

Empty popcorn bags

Popcorn

Trash

A plastic spoon

Plastic Utensils

Trash

plastic container and lid

Plastic Container and Lid

Recycle: If item is made of plastic #1, #2, #5

Trash: If item is unlabeled or made of plastic #3, #4, #6

An empty Vitamin Water bottle

Plastic Drink Bottle

Recycle: If made of #1, #2, or #5 plastic

An empty, clear plastic cup

Plastic Cup

Recycle: If made of plastic #1, #2, or #5

Trash: If made of plastic #3, #4, or #6

An empty peanut butter jar with its lid on

Peanut Butter/Nutella Jar

Recycle: If made of #1, #2, or #5 plastic

A used paper straw with the wrapper half torn off

Paper Straw

Compost

Various paper plates

Paper Plates (Other)

Compost: Food waste and plate if it does not have a waxy coating

Trash: If plate has a waxy coating

Compostable paper plate

Paper Plates (Campus Catering)

Compost

An empty paper bowl

Paper Bowl

Trash: If bowl has wax liner

Various napkins fanned out on a table

Napkins

Compost

Empty Mush oatmeal cup packaging

Mush Oatmeal Cups

Recycle: Aluminum lid and plastic cup if made of plastic #1, #2, or #5

Blue and yellow mac and cheese packaging

Mac and Cheese Cup

Trash

An empty iced tea bottle

Iced Tea Bottle

Recycle: If made of glass or #1, #2, or #5 plastic

An empty Indian food container

Indian Food Container

Recycle: Clear plastic lid

Trash: Black plastic base

An empty ice cream pint without the lid

Ice Cream Pint

Recycle: If pint is clean and has no wax lining

Trash: If pint interior has wax lining

A hummus and pretzel package

Hummus and Pretzels Container

Compost: Food waste

Trash: Plastic lid and tray

Roasted garlic hummus container

Hummus Container

Recycle: If container is made of  #1, #2, or #5 plastic

Trash: If container is made of #3, #4, or #6 plastic

A used greenware hotcup with lid

Hot Cup (from Campus)

Compost: if item says ECOWARE, ECOCONTAINER or GREENWARE

Empty hot chocolate packet

Hot Chocolate Packet

Trash

Empty bear-shaped honey bottle

Honey Bottle

Recycle: If made of #1, #2, or #5 plastic

Empty foil gum wrapper

Gum Wrapper

Trash

Empty 5 Gum Box

Gum Box

Recycle: Clear plastic container

Trash: Waxy paper lining and gum wrappers

Empty Greek yogurt bar packaging

Greek Vanilla Yogurt Bar

Clio Bar

Recycle: Paper box

Trash: Plastic wrapping

Empty granola bar wrapper

Granola Bar Wrapper

Trash

A used creamer cup

Creamer Cup

Trash

An empty Chips Ahoy wrapper

Cookie and Cracker Wrappers

Trash

A yellow packet of mustard

Condiment Packets

Ketchup, Mustard, Mayonaise, Soy Sauce, Duck Sauce, Honey

Trash

An empty compostable clamshell

Compostable Clamshell

Compost

An empty, used condiment cup

Condiment Cup

Compost

An empty Greenware cup for cold beverages

Cold Cup (from Campus)

Iced Coffee Cup, Smoothie Cup, Yogurt Parfait cup, Cut Fruit container

Compost: if item says ECOWARE, ECOCONTAINER or GREENWARE

A used coffee stirrer

Coffee Stirrer

Compost: If stirrer is made of wood

Trash: If stirrer is made of plastic

A used coffee pod

Coffee Pod

Trash

Used chopsticks

Chopsticks

Compost: Wooden chopsticks and paper wrapping

Trash: If chopsticks or wrapping are made of plastic

Empty Chobani Flip Yogurt container with lid still attached

Chobani Flip Yogurt Container

Trash*

*Normal, non-'Flip' Chobani yogurt containers can be recycled

Empty cereal cup without lid

Cereal Cup

Recycle: Cup

Trash: Lid

Empty candy wrapper

Candy Wrappers

Trash

Empty black takeout container with clear lid

Black Takeout Container

Recycle: Clear plastic lid

Trash: Black plastic base

Beef snack stick wrapper

Beef Snack Stick

Compost: Food scraps

Trash: Plastic wrapping

Empty plastic wrapping

Baked Goods Wrapping

Trash

Empty seltzer water can

Aluminum Can

Recycle