Wait - don't throw that away! You can make a big difference in our efforts to reduce the 250 tons of trash Fairfield University produces each month.

Fairfield University makes it easy to separate your junk into recyclable containers. So instead of adding more garbage to our world's dumps, sort everything from paper and plastic to light bulbs and CD players to be reused and recycled.

Of course, things are a little different depending on where you live or work on campus. Here's a recycling primer for residence halls, townhouses, apartments, and offices.

In the Residence Halls

There's a blue recycling unit with separate compartments for containers and paper products in the lounge on each floor. You can deposit aluminum cans, plastic water/soda bottles, glass bottles and other plastics labeled 1 or 2 in the appropriate side compartments. No need to remove the tops or labels. In the middle paper slots, recycle printer/copier paper and stationery, envelopes with or without windows, newspapers, junk mail, paper bags, magazines, cards, cardstock, adhesive (Post-it) notes, file and presentation folders, thermal fax paper, carbonless paper, and corrugated cardboard (broken down). Staples, rubber bands, and tape are also accepted.

Things that are not acceptable and will contaminate the entire bin, defeating the whole purpose, are: food, excess liquids, plastics numbered 3, 4, or 5, carbon paper, telephone directories, cloth or hardbound books, tissues, papers towels, and paper goods used for food/drink (no pizza boxes, people!).

At the Townhouses

Townhouse residents have convenient curbside recycling pickup, just like you may have at home. It couldn't be easier: Put your full bin at the curb Wednesday night and pick it up empty Thursday. You can recycle aluminum cans, plastic and glass bottles, and other plastics marked with 1 or 2. Newspapers and magazines placed in a separate bag are also accepted. Again, no food items, excess liquids, plastics marked 3, 4, and 5, please.

In the Apartments

Apartment recycling goes on in the trash rooms. Separate your items in separator units there. See the above lists for what's accepted, but the bins are also well marked.

In Offices and Classroom Buildings

Each office should have its own blue bin for paper and cardboard. The program is still evolving, but additional recycling is usually available in clearly marked bins for containers located on main hallways or just outside each building. When it doubt, call Facilities Management at ext. 4254.

Then there's all the other stuff. Check the following list before you toss anything in the trash.

Techno Trash

• Spent battery or cell phone? Call ext. 2546
• Computer parts, monitors, and ink cartridges? Call ext. 4069

Everything Else

• Chemicals, motor oil? Call ext. 2223
• Fluorescent tubes, televisions? Call ext. 4006
• New and gently used clothing and shoes? Call Campus Ministry at ext. 3405 or check out how to send sneakers to Nike for recycling here.

*A note on batteries: Never throw used batteries in the garbage. They contain mercury, lead, cadmium, and nickel, which can contaminate the air, soil, groundwater, lakes, and streams when improperly disposed. Instead, switch to rechargeable batteries and always return used regular batteries to a recycling facility. For more information, see the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's fact sheet on batteries.

Still unsure what or where to recycle? Call Facilities Management at ext. 4254.