Waste Procedures

Electronics Recycling, Light Bulbs Exchanges and Hazardous Waste Disposal

Introduction

The ERI department here is firmly committed to sustainability practices at all levels, therefore all waste must be disposed of properly so as to mitigate its environmental damage. All recyclable waste can be categorized into one of three groupings: General Recycling, Hazardous Waste, and Techno Trash. Each group has its own individualized procedure for disposal and should be followed accordingly.

General Recycling

General Recycling refers to any of the everyday recyclables you encounter regularly. The IT staff might specifically enlists you to dispose of any amount of general recycling waste, or you simply could encounter some in your own work. Getting rid of these items properly entails throwing them away in the right bin.

List of General Recyclables

• paper
• cardboard
• packing styrofoam/peanuts
• plastics
• aluminum
• green waste composte
• non-halogen light bulbs

General Recycling Procedures

1. The first thing to do is divide all waste into paper, cardboard, plastics/cans, light-bulbs, and packing styrofoam/peanuts.
2. Once all the waste items have been organized into one of these categorizes each type needs to be taken to and disposed of in their appropriate bins at their current locations.
3. All cardboard boxes must be broken down and flattened before recycling. Large amounts of old boxes should be brought to the closest cardboard recycling dumpster.
4. The non-halogen light bulbs can be saved and exchanged for free new ones at periodic Environmental Affairs Board events. Check their website, http://www.as.ucsb.edu/eab/, monthly to make sure you don't miss them.

• Note: If any of the recycling bins are too full to fit more waste, hold onto the excess recycling in your office until the recycling is next picked up.

Hazardous Waste

Every now and then the IT staff may ask you to dispose of certain items that should be considered "hazardous wastes", which need to be disposed of more carefully than general recycling. UCSB has a department, the Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), that will take care of the disposal.

List of Hazardous Waste

• lead acid batteries: UPS boxes, car batteries, boat batteries
• compact fluorescent bulbs/tubes
• solvents

Hazardous Waste Procedure

1. Go to www.ehs.ucsb.edu
2. Select the Chem Waste Pickup link and the select HAZARDOUS MATERIALS/WASTE PICKUP REQUEST(online).
3. Use yourself as the contact information, you do not need a recharge number. Next insert the current PI's name and use "Earth Research Institute" for department. The UPS batteries are the most common Hazardous waste we have, and can be entered as "Gell Cell, Lead-Acid Batteries" In the notes section be sure to add where the waste will be (right now my office is 1140K) and where in the room so they have easy access. The school now requires that the waste be labeled, and will show you and example label after you click the first submit. Print the label out for as many types of items you have and include it with the waste

Techno Trash

Associated Students here on campus run a recycling program specifically designed for the disposal of smaller electronic waste, known as "Techno Trash." Most of the electronic waste the IT staff will ask you to dispose of can be considered "Techno Trash" and the procedure for dispoing of it is very similar to that of General Recycling.

List of Techno Trash

• batteries:
  • Alkaline
  • Nickel Cadmium
  • Lithium Ion
  • Nickel
  • Metal Hydride
• cell Phones
• CD’s
• DVD’s
• diskettes
• audio and video Tapes
• PDA’s
• pagers
• handheld games
• MP3 Players
• ink jet cartridges
• toner cartridges

Techno Trash Procedure

1. Make sure all items fit the techno trash requirements and ensure all software is obsolete and no longer necessary
2. Take all recyclable equipment to the techno trash bin labeled "electronics" at its current location
3. Drop of all waste and if the bin is too full hold onto any excess waste until the bin is next emptied

Current Locations

• Office Paper Bin: Copy Station near the main conference room #6829
• Plastics Bin: Kitchen 6824
• Packing Materials bin: Kitchen 6824
• Techno Trash Bin: Copy Station near the main conference room #6829
• The closest recycling dumpsters are located behind North Hall as can be seen here.

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created by Joe Mount 2005-10-05
updated by Nicholas Webster 2007-02-12
updated by Vincent Radzicki 2011-05-18