SUNY Geneseo EHS
118 Clark
585-245-5512
dalton@geneseo.edu

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 lightbulbs.

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:

The results of the campus recycling efforts in 2004 have been summarized.

Recycling activities, are not exempted from Fire Code or other applicable regulations. A short explanation has been developed to assist campus residence hall personnel understand how code requirements can be successfully meshed into a recycling program.

Computers:

 


Because of the heavy metals used in circuitry (Mercury) and monitors (Lead) computers destined for disposal actually meet the definition of Hazardous Waste. The campus chooses to recycle the computers rather than dispose of them. The components of a computer that can be recycled are varied and include gold and silver, as well as lead and mercury. Contact CIT Help Desk (*5588) to initiate the computer recycling process.

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 Pyres, 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 labs and art studios on the campus.

Plastic:
Plastics are marked with a numbered recycling triangle to identify their chemical composition. With the exception of the plastic bags like those from Wegmans and/or Wal-Mart, all items marked with a 1 or 2 are recyclable in the bins or cans marked "Glass/Plastic/Metal". The plastic bags are recyclable at Wegmans and Wal-Mart stores.

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.

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 and 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. Staples and other office supply vendors may offer other recycling methods. A pilot program for printer recycling is being implemented by the Student Association GEO in Erwin Hall. Used cartridges may be placed in the small blue totes labeled for that purpose.