Did you know, approximately 75% of the items we use every day are recyclable? Plastic containers, aluminum foil, paper, cardboard, even batteries, cell phones and old laptops — it can all be recycled instead of ending up in the landfill.
GRCC’s Sustainability Team and Facilities Department are working to increase awareness about recycling on campus by participating in Campus Race to Zero Waste. Campus Race to Zero Waste is a friendly competition among colleges and universities across the United States and Canada. The goal is simple: recycle as much as possible from Feb. 2 through March 27, 2026. GRCC will compete in two categories: per capita recycling and electronics.
Let’s Fill Up the Blue Recycling Containers in Feb. and March!
You see them all over campus. The blue recycling bins are in every building, making it easy to recycle plastic, paper, cardboard, glass, cartons, and aluminum. After you place your recyclables in the correct bin, GRCC’s waste hauler takes the material to the Kent County Department of Public Works for sorting and recycling.
Remember, clean and empty is the key for successful recycling. Rinse out any plastic bottles or food containers before tossing them into the blue bins. If a pizza box has grease on it, tear off that part and place it in the trash. Food residue may contaminate other recyclables in the bin and complicate the recycling process. If you’re not sure if something can be recycled, throw it out.
Bring Old Electronics to GRCC Between Feb. 2 and March 3
Recycling old electronics like computers and cell phones requires a specialized process to make sure heavy metals like cadmium, mercury, lead, nickel and barium are properly disposed of. GRCC partners with Comprenew, a local, nonprofit, R2 and e-Stewards certified recycler for all electronics recycling. Working with an accredited, certified company for e-waste recycling is critical for preventing contamination and mitigating environmental impact.
GRCC staff and students may bring old computers, printers, cell phones, TVs, stereos, chargers and other miscellaneous consumer electronics to campus and have it properly recycled. If you would like to bring items collected from family and friends, please call ahead to make sure we can recycle the items.
Call Media Technologies (616) 234-3830 or Facilities (616) 234-4057 to ask questions or make a drop off appointment. You can also email media@grcc.edu . As long as you can carry it into the recycle station here at GRCC, you can recycle it!
Other Recycling Options at GRCC
GRCC offers ways to recycle other items that often end up in landfills.
Batteries: look for black buckets next to the blue recycling containers across campus. Place dead AA, AAA, C-Cell, D-Cell and 9-Volt batteries here. Do not use the buckets for lithium, button or rechargeable batteries as these are a fire risk. Call Media Technologies (616) 234-3830 to schedule a time to drop off lithium, button and rechargeable batteries so we may properly dispose of them.
Composting: all of the plates and tableware at Foodology are completely compostable. Other Campus dining kitchens compost food scraps from prep areas.
SafeMed: anonymously dispose of expired or unused medication by using the drop box in the main entrance of the GRCC Police Station. All items placed in the drop box are safely and securely destroyed.
Working Toward a More Sustainable Future
GRCC is committed to prioritizing sustainability. We hope you will join us during this year’s Campus Race to Zero Waste and beyond to raise awareness of recycling opportunities here on campus. Together, we can work toward a more sustainable future. Together, we’ve got this!