Our distinct recycling center program was first created by a student capstone project back in 2010. The center was expanded during the 2020, and 2021 school year when the building was upgraded, renovated and given its distinct blue color! The Recycling Center has enhanced the campus culture by creating student jobs, diverting waste away from the landfill, contributing to a high quality, low contaminated waste stream, and to a circular waste and economic system.

The recyclable materials that are collected throughout the indoor and outdoor recycling and glass bins around campus are left outside the Recycling Center. Our dedicated student workers are responsible for cleaning, and sorting of all materials placed in the bins. It helps us a great deal if you clean your recycling before putting it in the bin because otherwise it can contaminate other recycling. Sorting recyclables involves separating glass bottles, plastic cans, paper, metal, cardboard and any other possible product. Contamination from trash and items that SOU does not recycle get removed and are properly disposed of.