Effective waste management is a vital part of Mount Royal University’s sustainability efforts. It takes everyone on campus to make a difference. Every year, our campus produces more than 450 tons of waste, recycling and organic material, the equivalent of more than 25 full-sized school buses!
Why Reduce Waste to Landfill?
Landfills are designed to store waste, not break it down and most are quickly running out of space. No one wants a landfill in their backyard, and sending material abroad for processing is becoming increasingly expensive. These costs ultimately impact institutions like MRU.
A 2020 City of Calgary landfill study found food scraps, grass clippings, and even a newspaper from the 1970s, completely intact after more than 50 years underground. Clearly, what we throw “away” doesn’t just disappear.
What We’re Doing:
Facilities Management is committed to working with campus vendors to:
- Reduce garbage generation by increasing recyclable and reusable materials
- Provide frequent, easy-to-access waste and recycling bin stations
- Expanding access to convenient, clearly labelled specialty recycling stations- including e-waste, battery recycling, and stationary supply recycling
By making it easier to sort materials properly, we can significantly reduce our environmental impact.
If you would like a specialty recycling container or have questions about what materials are accepted, email sustainablemru@mtroyal.ca.
Campus Recycling Programs:
Accepted: All common household batteries.
Preparation: Please bag or tape terminals on batteries greater than 12V.
Safety:
- No broken, leaking, or oversized batteries (>5 kg)
- No wet-cell (car) or e-bike/scooter batteries
Learn more about the Battery Recycling Program here →
Current MRU Drop-off Location:
- Outside the Campus Bookstore on Mainstreet (H100)</br>
- Library Print Room (EL1317)
- East Residence Utility Block (EL31)
- West Residence Common Area
Accepted: Phones, tablets, computers, TVs, cables, cords, and small electronics.
Not Accepted: Refrigerants or items with swollen/damaged batteries.
For large items (printers, microwaves, large TVs, etc.), please submit a Frontline request for pickup.
Learn more about E-Waste Recycling here →
Current MRU Drop-off Locations:
- Outside the Campus Bookstore (H100)
- Central Shipping & Receiving (I108)
- East Residence Utility Block (EL31)
- West Residence Common Area
Accepted: Pens, pencils (mechanical and traditional), highlighters, markers, and whiteboard markers.
Not Accepted: Digital pens (please recycle through the e-waste program).
Current MRU Drop-off Locations:
- Outside the Campus Bookstore (H100)
- Central Shipping & Receiving (I108)
- Library Print Room (EL1317)
- East Residence Utility Block (EL31)
- West Residence Common Area
Take part in our “Take a Book, Leave a Book” initiative!
Please donate only relevant books in fair condition. Kindly avoid leaving bulk personal collections.
Current MRU Drop-off Locations:
- Bookshelf outside the Campus Bookstore (H100)
- The G-wing Mini-Library has beenrelocated to the Gauthier Court & Charlton Pond area (U-wing)