Paper & cardboard recycling

Why recycle paper?

Paper and cardboard products made from recycled material conserves trees, and their production uses up to 50% less energy and 90% less water than making them from raw materials. Recycling one tonne of paper saves three cubic metres of landfill space.

There are different processes to recycle clean paper and cardboard at Monash. The most important thing when recycling paper and cardboard is to remove all contamination. When the material is contaminated, for example, food or liquid it becomes unrecyclable and may result in the entire load being sent to landfill. Common contaminates include copy paper wrappers, other plastics and paper towel which must be placed in the landfill bin.

Confidential paper bin

Confidential paper bins are only for secure destruction of confidential documents. To order a bin or organise a collection, send an online request via the university work order system Access BPD or contact Buildings and Property Division using the details below.

Phone: 9902 0222

Email: buildings.property@monash.edu

Confidential paper binAcceptedNot accepted

Confidential paper or cardboard documents and photos must be loose and removed from binders and lever arch folders.  The following materials are accepted

  • Paperclips
  • Staples
  • Post it notes
  • Cardboard manila folders
  • Bull dog clips.
  • Plastic and metal spiral binders.
  • Plastic sleeves, pockets and folders.
  • Lever arch folders.

Digital media or eWaste of any type, including CDs, DVDs, tapes and portable drives.

For disposal of digital media refer to our  eWaste page

Plain paper wheelie bins and under desk boxes

Individual paper boxes are available for desks in office areas and staff are responsible for emptying their own bin if they have one.

Plain paper wheelie bins are usually located in print rooms and are placed outside for collection by cleaning staff. To order a bin or organise a collection, send an online request via the university work order system Access BPD or contact Buildings and Property Division using the details below.

Phone: 9902 0222

Email: buildings.property@monash.edu

Plain paper BinsAcceptedNot accepted

  • White paper.
  • Coloured paper.
  • Post it notes and staples.
  • Envelopes.
  • Brown paper.
  • Bull dog clips.
  • Newspaper or magazines.
  • Glossy paper, brochures or books.
  • Cardboard or manila folders.

The non-accepted items above can be placed in cardboard skips or mixed recycling bins.

Place copy paper wrappers in landfill bins as they contain plastic.

Cardboard skips

Cardboard can be recycled by placing in skips located on each campus. Alternatively flattened cardboard boxes can be left at kitchen bins.

For collection of larger quantities send an online request via the university work order system Access BPD or contact Buildings and Property Division using the details below.

Phone: 9902 0222

Email: buildings.property@monash.edu

Cardboard SkipsAcceptedNot Accepted

  • Flattened boxes/cardboard (unwaxed).
  • Clean pizza boxes.
  • Office paper.
  • Coloured paper.
  • Post it notes and staples.
  • Cardboard or manila folders.
  • Newspaper or magazines.
  • Glossy paper or brochures
  • Brown paper, envelopes.
  • Paper towel or tissues.
  • Napkins or serviettes.
  • Paper plates or cups.
  • Lever arch folders or books.
  • Bull dog clips.
  • Plastic and metal spiral binders.
  • Plastic sleeves, pockets and folders.
  • Pizza boxes containing food or soaked with oil.
  • Waxed cardboard such as fruit boxes.
  • Copy paper wrappers (as they contain plastic).

The non-accepted items above must be placed in landfill bins.