Waste Management

Compost/Food Waste

The MIT Recycling program manages the collection of food waste from nearly 20 dining facilities, student residences and independent living groups on campus. MIT collects approximately 12 tons of food waste each month. This comes primarily from the kitchen prep areas of dining locations on campus. However, some of the residence halls, especially in the graduate dorms, collect food waste that gets turned into compost.

A compost bin is located in the 70 Amherst loading dock. There is a tab/lock on the bin. It must be turned to the right in order to open the bin. Compostable bags are at the front desk. Those interested in composting can show their MIT ID at the front desk and pick up a compostable bag. DO NOT use plastic covers to dispose off the food/kitchen waste. Please use the compostable bags for this purpose.

Recycling Bins

Recycling bins are located on each floor of the dorm – 2-3 bins on most floors. The information abuout what can be thrown in the recylcing bins is given on a signage that is put up near the recycling bins. When in doubt, please refer to the signage.

Trash

Trash bins are also located on every floor. There is a trash bin in the courtyard along with a recylcing bin. Please refer to the waste disposal signage to determine what can be put in trash and what can be recylced.

Please refer here for more details about waste management.