Electronics Recycling or e-Cycling

Did you know that modern day electronics have precious metals such as gold, silver, platinum and palladium?  But they may also contain certain heavy metals in the circuit boards such as mercury, cadmium, and lead which can be toxic if released into the environment.  As such, they fall under the hazardous waste laws regulated by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.  However, generators like SUNY Geneseo can take advantage of an exemption whereby we can recycle the electronic as long as we handle the waste properly.

If you need to dispose of any electronic equipment, you must first fill out the SUNY Geneseo Equipment Transfer/Surplus Form and submit it to the Procurement & Property Control Services Department in Doty 315.  Upon receipt of the Equipment Transfer/Surplus Form, the Procurement & Property Control Services Office will coordinate the efforts of the appropriate parties, such as Facilities Services, Computer Information & Technology, and Environmental Health & Safety, to facilitate proper disposal.  All attempts should be made by the generating departments to bring their computer related equipment to CIT or all other electronics to EHS, if possible.  Departments unable to hand deliver items will be asked to provide an account number to generate a work order so the moving crew’s time may be charged appropriately.  

All computer related waste will be handled by CIT and all other electronics will be taken in by EHS.   All other electronics are defined as:

• Radios
• Copiers
• Refrigerators
• Microwaves
• Stereos
• Cell phones/phones
• TVs
• MP3s
• VCRs/DVDs
• Fax machines
• Electronic game consoles
• Science equipment
• Other miscellaneous items

Our recycler reuses any equipment possible, takes two broken units to make a good one, or if all else fails, breaks down the device into smaller parts for recycling (glass, plastic and metal).  The College must register our recycling activities with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation to ensure generators and recyclers are handling equipment properly.    

Electronic After Life

The chart below illustrates 30 different current RCR&R materials and components re-use streams.