Recycling For Students

 

Recycling For Students

Governor Pataki awarded SUNY Geneseo the 2002 Governor's Award for Pollution Prevention for the outstanding campus efforts in recycling not only solid wastes but materials that would otherwise require disposal as hazardous wastes, such as computers, rechargeable batteries, and fluorescent light bulbs.

Other campus Pollution Prevention measures include limiting purchases of hazardous chemicals and chemical containing products to volumes that will be used in a specified time frame (typically one year), Integrated Pest Management, and less toxic product replacements.

A summary document has been prepared identifying general recycling procedures for a variety of materials on the campus. Additional information on recycling specific items can be accessed by clicking on the item below:

 Computers Because of the heavy metals used in circuitry (Mercury) and  computer monitors (Lead), they actually meet the definition of hazardous waste. The campus chooses to recycle the computers rather than dispose of them.   To ensure they are handled properly, EHS has provided recycling bins specifically designed to collect broken, outdated and unused laptops or other computer parts. One bin is situated in the mail room of the College Union and the others in CIT and Facilities Services. Learn more about electronic recycling.
Electronics Because of the heavy metals used in circuitry (Mercury) and TVs (lead), electronics destined for disposal actually meet the definition of hazardous waste.  The campus chooses to recycle the electronics rather than dispose of them.  Any computers, laptops, rechargeable batteries, old cellphones or any other personal property a student wishes to recycle can be placed in recycling bins located in the mail room of the College Union. Contact Procurement and Property Control Services (x5100) to initiate recycling of any SUNY Geneseo property.  Learn more about electronic recycling.
 Paper All types and colors of paper, from letterhead to carbonless forms, glossy magazines, and newspaper may be recycled in the blue bins or metal cans labeled for paper recycling.
 Glass All colors of glass my be recycled in the "commingled container" blue bin or metal cans labeled for "Glass/Plastic/Metal" recycling. The one type of glass that cannot be recycled is borated glass, such s Pyrex, designed for high temperature use. During the recycling process, glass must be remelted and borated glass does not melt at the same temperature as other types of glass. Borated glass is used in the labs on campus.
 Metal Household metals, such as soup cans, coffee cans and copper wire may be recycled in the commingled container bins or cans (marked "Glass/Plastic/Metal"). Large metal items, such as metal chairs and desks are also recycled by the campus as scrap metal. Please submit a Work Order to Facilities Services to initiate this process. Hazardous metals, such as Mercury and Sodium, require disposal as Hazardous Waste and cannot be placed in the bins or cans.
 Plastic Plastics are marked with a numbered recycling triangle to identify their chemical composition. With the exception of the plastic bags like those from Wegman's and/or Wal-Mart, all items marked 1-7 are recyclable in the bins or cans marked "Glass/Plastic/Metal". The plastic bags are recyclable at Wegman's and Wal-Mart stores.
 Cardboard Corrugated Cardboard is recycled in labeled large green totes located at each campus building. Please note that other large green totes are used for various purposes - and only those labeled for cardboard recycling should be used for that purpose. Please place cardboard in the totes - which may require flattening boxes. Pizza boxes (sans pizza) are now recyclable, but should be scrapped clean of food remnants before being placed in the totes.
Printer/Copier Cartridges Printer and copier cartridges are recycled through a variety of methods. Xerox products can be recycled by following instructions on this link or instructions included in the product packaging. Toshiba toner cartridges can be recycled through AOP located in Blake Hall.  Call x5725 for more information.
Batteries Rechargeable batteries also contain heavy metals, toxic to the environment. For students looking to recycle their rechargable batteries and old cell phones, there is a box located in the mail room in the College Union next to the recycling bin for computer parts. Find out where recycling locations are.