Center for Energy and Sustainability

MTSU Recycles

Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) has promoted sustainability through its recycling program for over 50 years. Originally launched in 1972 by Dr. Patrick Doyle and the MTSU Biology Club, the program helps reduce non-hazardous waste, conserve energy, recover valuable resources, and lower disposal costs. The initiative is managed by Facilities Services and coordinated by the Center for Energy and Sustainability.

Key Objectives

Figure shows MTSU Recycles goals as leaves on a tree: improve recycling education, recover valuable resources, protect the environment, reduce disposal costs, and divert waste from landfills.

Accepted Items

At MTSU, plastic bottles, paper, aluminum cans, and cardboard recycling is available for the campus community. Departments also have opportunities to recycle additional materials used in their operations. Beyond campus, we proudly offer aluminum can recycling to the broader Murfreesboro community. Explore below to learn more about our recycling portfolio.

You may notice a garbage truck on campus collecting cardboard. This same truck handles both trash and recycling—on some days it picks up trash, and on other days it collects recyclables.

Image of a phone that says, "need recycling picked up? Submit an online request or call 2822."

Campus Recycling

Students, staff, faculty, and visitors can recycle the following items at all buildings:

Recyclables on campus include #1–#2 plastics (check the triangle number), paper (bins in offices/halls), aluminum cans (crushed preferred), and flattened cardboard; call Recycling for large pickups

Campus Departments

Campus departments that use or acquire the following materials as part of their campus operations can recycle them with MTSU Recycles. If you have questions about how to recycle these items contact the Recycling Office at ext. 2822 or submit a recycling request.

Figure of what is accepted for recycling from campus departments, including wood pallets, scrap metal, tin cans, batteries, printer cartridges, e-waste, flourescent light materials, motor oil.

Community Recycling

Community members can drop off aluminum cans anytime to our trailer located at 1672 Greenland drive.

Picture of the aluminum can recycling trailer that is open 24/7. The figure also includes a map illustrating exactly where the trailer is located.

Contamination

Did you know that tossing the wrong items into recycling bins can cause the whole batch to be sent to the landfill?

We’re counting on everyone at MTSU to help keep our recycling stream clean. If you’re ever unsure whether something belongs in the bin, don’t guess — give the MTSU Recycling Office a quick call. We’re happy to help!

Image of button that says MTSU Recycles and Raiders Recycle Right

Additional Resources

Common Recycling Issues on Campus

Recycling Items from home in Rutherford County

Recycle Right TN logo which includes a racoon in a recycling bin.

Recycling Requests

To submit a recycling pickup request for campus materials:

Submit Recycling Request

Recycling Office Phone: 615-898-2822

Contact Us

Center for Energy and Sustainability
MTSU Box 57 | Murfreesboro, TN 37132

Phone: 615-904-8096
Email: ces@mtsu.edu