Recycling and waste management

The Politecnico is committed to managing campus waste in the best possible way: by separating our waste correctly, we can give new life to materials that can still be of use and avoid having to dispose of them. 

Use the correct containers provided throughout the university by following these simple rules: your contribution can make a difference!

If you have any queries, or for waste categories not listed here, or for information on waste, please contact the University’s Sustainability Service: serviziosostenibilita(at)polimi.it

Blue container - Paper

YES 
Sheets of paper, cardboard, magazines, pamphlets, books, notebooks, paper bags, paper packaging and tetrapaks 

NO 
Dirty and/or food-contaminated paper, used napkins and tissues, wax paper, plastic-coated paper, cellophane, plastic-coated boxes, carbonless paper, dirty paper cups and plates, dirty pizza boxes

Yellow container – Plastic and aluminium

YES
Water and soft drinks bottles, liquid containers in general, polystyrene, plastic plates and cups, grocery bags, cling film, tubs, aluminium drinks cans, metal food cans and canisters, aluminium caps

NO
Glue and paint containers, packaging with residues of dangerous substances, plastic cutlery, document wallets, biros, CDs, sellotape

Green container - Glass

YES
Bottles, jars, glass vases, glasses, glass items in general, broken glass 

NO 
Window panes, light bulbs, glass-ceramics, mirrors, Pyrex, ceramics, medicine containers

Brown container – Organic waste

YES
Food waste and, in general, anything biodegradable and compostable

NO
Paper food packaging, liquids

Grey container – General domestic waste

YES
Anything that cannot be recycled (e.g. biros, plastic cutlery, CDs, cigarette butts...) 

NO
Waste that can be recycled, batteries, dangerous waste (medicines, glue and/or paint containers, spray cans, light bulbs…), bulky waste, WEEE (USBs, mobile phones, MP3s, computer mice, electrical sockets and adapters, electric cables…)