Pests pose a big threat to the museum and its collections and we need to work together to prevent infestations.

Therefore, we ask for everyone’s cooperation to correctly dispose of food and drink waste in the museum. It is extremely important to not leave items with food or drink residue (e.g., coffee cups and lids, candy wrappers, napkins, etc.) in non-designated garbage cans.

Please make sure you inform your guests of these policies and please take the time to remind others if they are incorrectly disposing of their waste.

Rules for Food & Drink

  • Only consume food in the designated food areas (Herp Lounge 3132 or GML 3170) or in your office
  • Do not store food in an office unless it is in a sealed hard plastic or glass container (desk drawers and Ziplocs are not pest proof!)
  • Always wash dishes immediately after use
  • Clean the sink of food debris after washing dishes
  • Dispose of food and drink waste in the appropriate receptacles (see below)
  • Never dispose of food and drink waste in your office

Correct Disposal of Food & Drink Waste

Within the MVZ there are three appropriate receptacles for items soiled by food or drink: blue recycle bins, green compost bins, and lidded black landfill bins.

Black Landfill Bins

Non-compostable food waste should be disposed of in one of the three lidded black landfill bins. These bins are located in the Grinnell-Miller Library (3170), the Herp Lounge (3132), and outside of the Map Room (3189). Landfill bins are emptied daily (Mon-Fri).

Blue Recycle Bins

All recyclable beverage containers (cans, plastic bottles, glass) should be disposed of in the recycling bin located at the end of the small hallway in the north-west corner of the MVZ near Archives (3174) and the Director’s office (3176). Do not place drink containers in the small blue recycling wastebaskets around the museum–these are for clean, recyclable paper items only.

Green Compost Bins

All compostable food waste should be disposed of in one of the three compost bins. These bins are located in the Grinnell-Miller Library (3170), the Herp Lounge (3132), and outside of the Map Room (3189). Compost bins are emptied daily (Mon-Fri).

Other Garbage & Recycling

Clean paper may be placed in the small blue recycling wastepaper baskets found around the museum (emptied twice per month). Do not put cardboard into these bins.

Cardboard and plastic numbered 1-6 should be taken directly to the loading dock for recycling.

All other trash may be disposed of in the small trash bins located throughout the museum/within offices (emptied twice per month).