Politecnico is committed to managing campus waste in the best possible way: by separating our waste correctly, we can recover and give new life to materials that can still be of use through the recycling process.
Explore the dedicated maps and use the correct containers provided throughout the university by following these simple rules: your contribution can make a difference!
If you have any queries, or for waste categories not listed here, or for information on waste, please contact:
gestionerifiuti@polimi.it
Separate waste collection
YES
Sheets of paper, cardboard, pamphlets, books, notebooks, paper bags, paper packaging, pizza boxes that are greasy or without food residues, clean paper tissues and “tetrapak” cartons
NO
Dirty and/or food-contaminated paper, used napkins and tissues, wax paper, plastic-coated paper, receipts, cellophane, plastic-coated boxes, carbonless paper, dirty paper cups and plates, pizza boxes with food residues
YES
Water and soft drinks bottles, liquid containers in general, polystyrene, plastic plates and cups, grocery bags, cling film, tubs, aluminium drinks cans, metal food cans and canisters, aluminium caps
NO
Glue and paint containers, packaging with residues of dangerous substances, plastic cutlery, document wallets, pens, tape
YES
Bottles, jars, glass vases, glasses, glass items in general, broken glass
NO
Window panes, light bulbs, glass-ceramics, mirrors, Pyrex, ceramics, medicine containers
Collection currently only available in canteens.
YES
Food waste, cork and, in general, anything biodegradable and compostable
NO
Paper food packaging, liquids
YES
Anything that cannot be recycled (e.g. pens, plastic cutlery, receipts, dirty paper tissues..)
NO
Waste that can be recycled, batteries, dangerous waste (medicines, glue and/or paint containers, spray cans, light bulbs…), bulky waste, WEEE (USBs, mobile phones, computer mice, electrical sockets and adapters, electric cables…)
Other collections
Check the map to find out where the 26 containers are located on the Città Studi and Bovisa Campuses!
This collection is available thanks to a collaboration between Politecnico di Milano, Centro di Coordinamento RAEE, Centro di Coordinamento Nazionale Pile e Accumulatori and AMSA.
YES
Small Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE – Category R4), such as chargers, mice, earphones, calculators, smartphones, smartwatches, small household appliances like razors and electric toothbrushes. Cylindrical, button, and rectangular batteries.
NO
Lightbulbs (traditional or LED), laptops, vehicle batteries, industrial batteries and accumulators, and any other WEEE that is too large to fit in the container.
Check the map to find out where the 24 containers are located on the Città Studi and Bovisa Campuses!
This collection was activated thanks to an agreement between Politecnico di Milano and RE-CIG, aimed at recycling cigarette butts into plastic material.
YES
Extinguished cigarette butts
NO
Lit cigarette butts, chewing gum, and any other waste
Further information
Find out more about how waste collection works at the university, including pilot projects, waste composition analyses, and data (Italian only):
Sai davvero dove finiscono i rifiuti che butti nei campus del Politecnico?
Find out more about how to sort your waste in the Municipality of Milan:
Separate waste collection Milano | Amsa