RISD Environmental, Health and Safety

10/17/2025

♻️Rhode Island, recycling does make a difference! Don't let the myths fool you.

✅ Fact: It’s easy and efficient
✅ Fact: Every bottle, can, and box recycled saves energy and keeps waste out of the landfill.
✅ Fact: Here in RI, recycling is alive and well – materials are sorted and sold to be turned into new products every day!
✅ Fact: It takes just seconds to do—and the impact lasts for generations.

Bottom line: Recycling works when we all do our part. 🌎♻️



Learn more about why recycling matters at > https://recycleri.org

09/30/2025

Lot's of recycling opportunities!

Have top secret documents that need shredding? Don't miss the upcoming free shredding events! 📄✂️ Safely dispose of your sensitive documents and protect your personal information. Check our events page for details: https://rirrc.org/announcements/events

02/11/2025

'Recycling Tip: Wet-Strength Cardboard

Did you know that wet-strength cardboard should NOT go in your recycling bin? This type of cardboard is treated with chemicals and often lined with plastic to make it water-resistant, so it doesn’t break down like regular cardboard.

Examples include: Frozen food packaging, Soda packaging, Butter boxes, Takeout containers with plastic lining. Be sure to toss these in the trash, not your recycling bin! For more info on wet-strength cardboard and other recycling tips, check out our full guidelines: www.rirrc.org/mixed-recycling and use our A-to-Z search tool: http://atoz.rirrc.org/items/wet-strength-cardboard

01/11/2025

Didn’t know this now I do!

Did you know? Thermal paper receipts are coated with chemicals that make them non-recyclable. Please place them in the trash.

When in doubt about what can and can't be recycled, check our A-to-Z Search Tool: https://atoz.rirrc.org/

12/07/2024

Decent project for trash!

12/02/2024

Got waste?

10/15/2024

Got waste?

🎃👻 Get your home trick-or-treat ready! There’s nothing spookier than household hazardous waste lurking around. Join us this Saturday, October 19, in Newport to safely dispose of your hazardous items. Make an appointment today > www.ecodepotri.org

10/04/2024

Looks Interesting!

Ready to dive into the world of composting? Join us on October 10th at 6:30 PM for our Introduction to Composting virtual event!

Learn everything you need to know to start composting in your backyard! We’ll cover:

✅ Different composting methods
✅ What to include (and what to avoid) in your bin
✅ Setting up a basic leaf bin
✅ Combining leaves and food scraps
✅ Best practices for managing and harvesting your compost

If you’ve always wanted to compost (the right way!), this presentation is perfect for you!

👉 Register Today > https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3879099455031053664

08/13/2024

🎨Got paint? Remember, it's considered hazardous waste, so we accept it at our Eco-Depot events! Join us this Saturday in North Kingstown for safe disposal. If you have latex or oil-based paints in their original containers, you can also drop them off at a PaintCare location. Find the nearest drop-off site here: https://www.paintcare.org/states/rhode-island

08/11/2024

Definitely keep these out of RISD’s trash!

📢 Attention Rhode Island! 📢

These items should NEVER go in your recycling bin/cart! We’re all part of the Rhode Island recycling team, and when contaminated loads enter our Materials Recycling Facility, it puts our hardworking team at risk. 🚧

Every day, our team processes materials from across the state. But when things like food waste, plastic bags & film, dirty diapers, batteries and other contaminants mix with recyclables, it not only endangers our staff but also degrades the value of the other recyclables. These contaminants end up in the landfill, costing our cities and towns money and wasting valuable landfill space.

We need your help! Please spread the word to your family, friends, and coworkers (anyone who will listen) about the importance of recycling right. For tips on how to recycle correctly in Rhode Island, visit: www.rirrc.org/mixed-recycling

08/04/2024

Composting tea bags 101: part “brown” (the thin paper bag is high in carbon) and part “green” (the tea leaves are high in nitrogen) make tea bags an excellent addition to backyard compost bins. Be careful of the tea bags made out of plastic -- those belong in the trash.

07/02/2024

What to do when the party is over!

This 4th of July, after the BBQs and festivities, be sure to properly dispose of your gas tanks. Find the right disposal option using these links:

Helium Tank: https://atoz.rirrc.org/items/empty-helium-gas-canisters

Propane Tank: https://atoz.rirrc.org/items/empty-propane-gas-tanks

Let's keep our celebrations bright and our environment even brighter! 🌟 Together, we can make a difference.