Mason Staff Senate
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Sustainability at Work October 2025

Sustainability Tip: Recycling 101

A seedling growing inside a lightbulb, outlined in gold on a green background. Caption reads Staff Senate Sustainability Tip.

Help George Mason University reach its goal of becoming a Zero Waste Campus by correctly sorting the most common recyclable waste items:

  • Cans & Bottles: aluminum cans and bottles, and plastic bottles and jugs ONLY should be placed in the labeled* bins in building hallways.
    • Items should be clean and empty (no food or drink waste)
    • Caps should be removed
    • Following these instructions will aid Recycling & Waste team members who are hand-sorting these items for further processing.
  • Paper: white and mixed/colored paper can be placed together in the labeled* bins in building hallways.
    • No napkins, paper towels, or paper contaminated with food
    • Flattened paperboard boxes (think tissue boxes, cereal boxes, and similar) can also be placed in Paper recycling bins.
  • Cardboard: should be emptied of packaging and flattened.
    • Cardboard should be placed in the large black recycling cart found outside/behind most buildings (e.g., at outdoor loading docks)
    • Don’t leave cardboard at recycling stations or in hallways
    • If you don’t have a cardboard recycling cart at your building and can’t find one nearby, contact the F&CO Customer Service Center at (703) 993-2525 or [email protected] for additional assistance.

For more details about these categories, and to find out how to compost and how to recycle glass (Fairfax Campus only) and other more specialized items, check out the Zero Waste Mason webpage.

* The Recycling and Waste team are in the process of adding new labels with updated guidance to bins across the campuses. Interior bins at Fairfax and Mason Square are completed. Feedback or queries can be shared by submitting a Work Order (select ‘Waste/Recycle’ under the ‘Issue’ dropdown menu) or contacting Facilities and Campus Operations Customer Service Center via email ([email protected]) or phone at 703-993-2525.

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Sustainability at Work November 2023

Staff Senate Sustainability Update

Infographic showing a Terracycle Zero Waste box for chip and snack bags, candy and chocolate bar wrappers, gum wrappers and blister packs, and granola bags and wrappers.

Seasonal reminder that candy and snack wrappers don’t belong in the regular recycling bins – BUT if you’re on or around the Fairfax campus, you can collect your wrappers and bring them to the Honors College lounge, Buchanan Hall, D205, where there is a dedicated Zero Waste box for the following items:

  • chip and snack bags
  • candy and chocolate bar wrappers
  • gum wrappers and blister packs
  • granola bags and wrappers.

Thanks to our Honors College colleagues for their above and beyond recycling efforts!

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November 2021 Sustainability at Work

Sustainability at Work: November 2021

World Leaders are Gathering in Glasgow, Scotland, to Discuss Climate Change. So What? 

Hailed as the “last, best chance” to avoid catastrophic climate change, world leaders are gathering in Glasgow, Scotland, from October 31 to November 12 for the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP). There, they’re supposed to take action to meet the goals outlined in the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. But are they? 

So, what is a COP? Why does it matter? And what’s next? Register for COP26 – What Happened There? What’s Next?, an interactive discussion featuring George Mason University’s academic and research experts, passionate students, and special guests. 

Join the discussion at 11 a.m. on November 23. You’ll learn what was said and done at COP 26, what needs to happen next, and how you can make a difference in the global fight against climate change. 

Register: https://go.gmu.edu/COP26Event 

This event is hosted in partnership among the Office of Sustainability, the Institute for a Sustainable Earth, the Center for Climate Change Communications, and the Environmental Science and Policy Department. 

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July 2021 Sustainability at Work

Sustainability at Work: July 2021

Single-Use Plastics and Polystyrene are Banned at George Mason University

Governor Northam signed Executive Order 77 in March 2021 effectively banning single-use plastics and polystyrene from state agencies, including Mason. Mason purchasers and vendors, please review guidance (below) about acceptable items you can purchase as alternatives after July 21, 2021.   

As an overall waste reduction strategy, let’s reframe our thinking to “Buy Less, Buy Better.” If you purchase giveaways, support sustainability by purchasing durable, climate-neutral reusables, or contact the task force.  

Questions?