 rotate(10)'/%3E%3Cpath d='M.038.113v.15l.15.088.15-.088v-.15L.188.025l-.15.088Z' stroke='%23c44900' stroke-width='.0375' transform='rotate(10)'/%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Your Guide to Recycling at UTRGV
Trash gets a second chance through Vaqueros Recycle, UTRGV's recycling program. Learn how to sort your items into our dedicated campus recycling bins and to keep our recycling clean.
Why We Recycle
Recycling at UTRGV is about more than sorting bottles, it is a simple way for all Vaqueros to take care of the place we call home.
Recycling supports the three pillars of sustainability.
- Environmental - Keeping waste out of landfills, filtering materials through the correct channels, and protecting our surroundings.
- Social - Creating a cleaner, healthier campus for everyone.
- Economic - Supports efficient use of materials and can reduce disposal costs while strengthening markets for recycled products.
Recycling Bins Across Campus
Recycling Guide
Accepted Items (Please Rinse & Shake Dry)
- Water bottles
- Soda bottles
- Milk and juice jugs
- Clean detergent containers
- Shampoo bottles
Do Not Include
- Plastic bags
- Styrofoam
- Food containers with excessive residue
- Plastic utensils
Where should I Recycle it?
- Campus Pepsi-branded recycling bins accept plastics #1 and #2
Accepted Items (Please Rinse & Shake Dry)
- Soda cans
- Sparkling water cans
- Clean aluminum food containers
Do Not Include
- Food-filled containers
- Aluminum foil
Where should I Recycle it?
- Campus Pepsi-branded recycling bins accept aluminum.
Accepted Items
- Cardboard
Do Not Include
- Food-filled containers
- Cardboard with excessive grease or residue
Where should I Recycle it?
- Partner with an office to leave out recyclable cardboard in the halls without blocking egress for facilities to pick it up efficiently.
Off-Campus Drop-Off Locations (Edinburg Area)
If you need to dispose of residential or excess cardboard outside of campus hours:
City of Edinburg Resources Recovery Center: 3102 S. US-281 Business, Edinburg, TX 78539.
- Scrap metal
- Small metal office materials
- Clean steel containers
- Hazardous metal waste
- Electronic components with batteries
- Contact Facilities Operations to drop off scrap metal.
Facilities Operations Maintenance Department
Edinburg Campus
Email: ED-FBS@utrgv.edu
Phone: 956-665-2748
Brownsville Campus
Email: BR-FBS@utrgv.edu
Phone: 956-882-5900
Accepted Items
- Printer ink cartridges
- Toner cartridges
Do Not Include
- Damaged cartridges leaking ink
Where should I Recycle it?
- The Robert C. Vackar Business College in the Edinburg campus has a blue recycling bin labeled for ink cartridge disposal only.
- Additionally, departments may collect cartridges internally or coordinate pickup.
UTRGV Contact
Environmental Health, Safety & Risk Management
Email: waste@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 665-3690
Accepted Items
- Office paper
- Newspapers
- Flyers
- Notebooks
- Clean mail
- Napkins
- Food-soiled paper
- Wax paper
- Paper containing sensitive information and records
- Place clean paper in recycling bins labeled for paper across campus.
UTRGV Contact
Records Management is responsible for advising and providing information and services to help university departments become and remain compliant with records retention regulations and to dispose of records properly once they have met said records retention regulations as established by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.
To request a recycling bin for your office please contact Records Management. Students may visit OFS lobby in Edinburg Campus' Innovation Building to recycle their paper.
Records Management
Email: recordsmanagement@utrgv.edu
Accepted Items
- Rechargeable batteries
- Small household batteries
- Laptop batteries
- Damaged or leaking batteries
- Batteries should never go into regular recycling bins. Use designated battery collection points.
UTRGV Contact
Environmental Health, Safety & Risk Management for scheduled pickup
Email: waste@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 665-3690
For recycling‑related questions, please contact the UTRGV Office for Sustainability at:
sustainability@utrgv.edu or (956) 665-3030