You can direct any questions, concerns or comments to: recycling@montana.edu 

 

This is a common question, with a long and complicated answer involving the economics of living in a rural area and the commodity value of glass. The short answer is that glass is a very heavy material, which makes it more difficult and more costly to move around than other recyclables. Also, because of the high heat required to recycle used glass into new glass, doing so doesn't actually save as much energy as other recyclables. Glass is also inert - it won't leach nasty things as it breaks down (like plastic can) - so as of now we are concentrating on other recyclables. That doesn't mean we should landfill glass as a rule, but in our region we have limited options. One option is to REUSE your glass. Jars can be taken to the Community Food Co-Op where they are sanitized and put out for use by bulk shoppers. Bayern Brewery has a great program where they take used beer bottles (no embossing), wash them and re-bottle (Four Corners Recycling helps with this program). Additionally, some private recycling companies in Bozeman will also pick up glass for a fee.

MSU Recycling accepts most colored papers for recycling with the exception of neon/fluorescent orange and goldenrod colored papers. The mill we sell our recycled paper to cannot accept these colors.

Styrofoam peanuts and plastic packing pillows won't get recycled if placed in the plastic recycling bin. Instead please see if Copy Cats or other printing/shipping centers will accept it. Avoid using Styrofoam packing peanuts; bio-degradable packing peanuts (made from corn) are a better alternative. Brown packing paper is also recyclable but should be deposited into a cardboard dumpster. 

MSU Safety & Risk Management operates an E-Scrap program on campus. They collect computers, printers, ink cartridges, batteries, light bulbs, and other electronic waste items. This program is paid for by a fee charged on all university computer purchases (a percentage of purchase price). For more information about MSU E-Scrap and proper disposal options for electronics, visit http://www.montana.edu/wwwsrm/escrap/index.html or call 994-5678.

We are always expanding our recycling program. If you have a location where you would like to see recycling, please email Recycling@montana.edu for assistance.