At University of Kentucky, recycling is available campus-wide in the residence halls, outdoors, and in all the buildings across campus.

UK offers Mixed Recycling where you can recycle various types of papers, plastics, glass, cardboard, and metal in one container. In addition, UK offers various specialty recycling options and a Service Request form must be completed for these items to be collected.

Smurfit-WestRock

In 2020, the university began sending the mixed recycling to Smurfit-WestRock (formerly known as WestRock) in Louisville, KY. Smurfit-WestRock is a materials recovery facility (MRF) that sorts the mixed recycling materials before being transported. Smurfit-WestRock transports the materials to various facilities in the region. At these facilities, the materials are manufactured into new products.

Supporting Kentucky

When you recycle at the university, you are supporting Kentucky! Recyclables are diverted to 15 recycling centers across 11 Kentucky counties; Barren, Fayette, Franklin, Jefferson, Jessamine, Lincoln, Logan, Mason, Shelby, Warren, and Woodford county. At these recycling centers, the recyclables are manufactured into new products.

Recycling Centers & Accepted Materials

View the list below to read the recycling centers and accepted materials (in parenthesis):

• Barren County
  • ​Midstate Recycling (Tin)
• Fayette County
  • Cohen (Scrap metal)
  • C&R Asphalt (Pallets & Concrete)
  • Rumpke (Cardboard)
  • Shred It (Paper)
• Franklin County
  • Shyco (Pallets)
• Jefferson County
  • GFL Environmental (Motor oil)
  • Smurfit-WestRock (Mixed recycling)
• Jessamine County
  • Smurfit-WestRock (Cardboard)
• Lincoln County
  • SMS Tire Processing (Tires)
• Logan County
  • Logan Aluminum (Aluminum)
• Mason County
  • International Paper (Cardboard)
• Shelby County
  • Creative Packaging (Styrofoam coolers)
• Warren County
  • Crown Holdings (Aluminum)
• Woodford County
  • Woodford Co Recycling Center (hardbound books)