Recycling at Lancaster Seminary

Recycling at LTS includes newspaper, office paper, junk mail, cardboard, glass, tin/steel/aluminum cans, and certain plastics. The following information explains what, how and where we recycle, as well as providing a list of what we cannot recycle at LTS.

Glass, Plastic, and Aluminum/Steel/Tin Cans

The four green, plastic, wheeled bins on Pine Street behind the Library are for COMINGLED recyclables only. Please do not put cardboard, newspaper or office paper in these bins, as the waste management company will empty the entire contents of the bins into the regular waste collection.

The following items may go in these bins, unbagged.

• Plastic containers marked PETE, HDPE, 1 or 2
• Aluminum, tin and steel cans
• Glass bottles and jars – clear, green and brown only

All items must be rinsed

You may put these items in clear or translucent garbage bags so that the waste contractors can see that they contain the right kind of items.

Placing items in opaque (including white) garbage bags will result in dispatching the contents to the dump rather than to the recycling plant.

TIP: If you want to store or transport your commingled recyclables in opaque bags, just dump the bags out in the bins and dispose of the bags in the dumpsters.

Cardboard, Newspaper, Office Paper, Junk Mail

The large dumpster on Frederick Street, behind Bowman Hall and the Refectory, is for cardboard, office paper, and newspaper recycling. The smaller dumpster in front of the recycling dumpster is for regular waste only.

The following items may go in the recycling dumpster:

• Flattened, corrugated cardboard – note exceptions below (most food boxes are NOT corrugated and must be treated as the same as junk mail – i.e., placed in bags)
• Office paper
• Junk mail
• Newspaper

All paper, junk mail, and newspaper must be placed in clear or translucent bags before disposal.

Items that CANNOT be Recycled

• Cardboard pizza boxes (too greasy)
• Aluminum foil, pie plates, or siding
• Magazines, catalogs, books or phone books
• Cardboard containers that include wax or plastic, such as some cereal boxes, milk/juice cartons, and many other paperboard food containers.
• Window glass, plate glass, decorative glass, or mirrors
• Plastic bags, other than those used to bag items (No. 2 recyclable plastic bags can be returned to local grocery store collection bins)
• Ceramics
• Aerosol spray cans
• Paint cans
• Yard waste
• Cookware
• Light bulbs or fixtures
• Metal or wire of any type other than cans

Other Recycling Options

Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority is located about a mile from the Seminary on Harrisburg Pike. Many other items of concern, including batteries, oil, chemicals, computer equipment, and fluorescent bulbs are freely accepted at the center. As good stewards of the earth, community members are strongly encouraged to carry these and other materials to LCSWM rather than dumping them in the Seminary dumpsters.

For more information on the many types of recyclable waste that LCSWM accepts, please visit their website.