Frequently Asked Questions about Recycling & Waste

I have a dead computer. How can I get it recycled?

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 04:48:44 PST

You will need to contact Facilities to arrange for pick-up. Your computer will be responsibly recycled this way.

This can happen a couple ways:

call or e-mail Facilities with your request (x4742 or facilities-csc@scu.edu)
submit a work order directly if you are set up to use FAMIS.

Why are frozen food boxes not recyclable, while other food boxes are recyclable?

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 11:52:42 PST

Frozen food boxes (made out of paperboard) are not recyclable because they are sprayed with a plastic coating that protects the contents against freezer burn. Once the material has this coating, it does not break apart as pulp in the cardboard recycling process.

Any box with this type of plastic coating (or waxy coating) is not recyclable.

In general, paperboard boxes are recyclable, so long as

they haven't gotten wet
they haven't been exposed to oil or grease (this is why pizza box bottoms aren't recyclable)
and the plastic liner (common with food boxes) has been removed.

My paper shredder stopped functioning and I have just replaced it. How can I recycle the old one?

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 11:39:33 PST

Please call or e-mail Facilities (x4742 or Facilities-CSC@scu.edu) to request an e-waste pick up.

If you have access to FAMIS, you can submit a work order request yourself.

I am confused about the co-mingling recycling program. What belongs in co-mingled recycling, and where do I put co-mingle recyclables?

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 05:00:06 PST

Co-mingle recycling:

All Plastics (#1-7), aluminum, glass, and tin should be placed in containers labeled with the following: a recycling symbol (outdoor cement bins), "co-mingle recycling", "recycling", "aluminum", "glass", and "plastic". Most of these bins are square and maroon.

Paper, cardboard, e-waste, and universal waste do not belong in co-mingle recycling.

Paper goes only in bins labeled paper. They are either blue bags or green/brown/blue plastic bins.
Cardboard gets flattened and placed near paper recycling containers.
E-waste and Universal waste depends on the location. In residence halls, these can be placed on the ground below the "e-waste" sign, or recycled at the building's service desk. In campus offices and other buildings, these items are either picked-up or mailed to Facilities.

We are in bit of a confusing time right now, as we update and standardize our recycling containers. We appreciate your patience!

My department has a lot of extra office supplies (binders, folders, etc.). Where can we send them?

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 11:48:45 PST

One option is to donate these items to the Resource Area For Teachers (RAFT).

RAFT is a non-profit organization that believes hands-on teaching is the best way for teachers to teach and students to learn. They provide creative hands-on activities, educational resources, workshops and inexpensive materials, (many donated by local businesses), to enrich pre K-12 education and community group programs.

How do I recycle textbooks?

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 09:48:17 PST

Textbooks can be recycled along with any type of paper. Because texbooks are quite heavy and have sharp corners, do NOT place them in blue paper recycling bags. Instead, please request a sturdy paper recycling container from Facilities.

Either call x4742, e-mail facilities-CSC@scu.edu, or place a work order through FAMIS.

During Move-Out, students collect textbooks for reuse with Better World Books. This is not a year-long project. For all other times, please recycle these books through Facilities.

How should I recycle during a campus office move?

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Mon, 12 May 2008 08:28:56 PST

During a campus office move you can recycle the same materials that you would normally recycle. However, if you are anticipating recycling a larger amount of materials than usual (a stack of books, for example) please contact Facilities at extension 4742 to request large recycling bins. Also, Facilities should be contacted to pick up any e-waste being recycled. For more helpful tips on how to reduce waste during a campus office move visit the SOAP (Sustainable Office Assessment Project) website: http://www.scu.edu/sustainability/soap/

Should bottles and cans be cleaned before they are placed in recycling bins around campus?

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 10:14:36 PST

Beverage containers should be emptied before being placed in the recycling receptacle, but it is not necessary to rinse them. This makes it easier for sorting, transporting, and collecting CRV (California Redemption Value) refund money. Some items with particularly messy or unpleasant contents, such as soup and tuna cans, should be rinsed in order to make sorting easier.

Can I recycle the tops of pizza boxes when they are clean?

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 10:13:52 PST

Generally, we do not recycle pizza boxes because the cheese and grease from the pizza contaminates the box, rendering it unable to be recycled into new products. However, since many times only the bottom part of the box is contaminated, it is sometimes possible to separate and recycle the top. If, and only if, the top of the box is clean, recycle it with corrugated cardboard. Just remember that anything contaminated with food waste cannot be recycled.

Does SCU recycle hard and soft cover books?

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 10:11:05 PST

Both hard and soft cover books can be recycled here at Santa Clara University. If you are planning on recycling a small amount of books, they can be placed in the blue paper recycling bag. However, if you are planning on recycling a large amount of books, Facilities should be contacted for a pick up at extension 4742.

Does SCU recycle televisions?

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 10:07:34 PST

Yes, SCU does recycle televisions. Televisions are a form of e-waste, which is anything that uses a battery or an electric cord. Signs in the residence halls’ recycling/waste area should instruct students where to place e-waste. Those wishing to recycle e-waste in the office should call Facilities for a pick up at extension 4742.

What do I do with printer/copy paper packaging?

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 11:24:42 PST

Paper ream packaging IS RECYCLABLE. In the past, these wrappers needed to be discarded in the waste bin because their waxy coating put them in a different paper recycling category. Recently, our paper recycler Weyerhaeuser has expanded the types of materials we can give them.

Now, ALL PAPER TYPES can be recycled in the blue paper recycling bags, including copy paper packaging.

Where can I recycle newspapers?

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 11:40:26 PST

Newspapers can be placed in any paper recycling receptacle. Other items that can be placed in paper recycling receptacles include white/colored paper, shoeboxes, snack/cereal boxes, junk mail, and magazines.

Residence halls: place your paper in the brown paper recycling bin at each residence hall’s waste disposal area.

Throughout campus: newspapers and all other paper recyclables should be placed in the blue recycling bags.

How can I get involved with recycling at SCU?

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 11:39:19 PST

There are a number of ways that you can get involved with recycling and sustainability at Santa Clara University.

Join the SCU Recycling Club. If you are interested in learning more about this club e-mail Tracey Mangin (tmangin@scu.edu).
Volunteer a few hours of your time to be a Recycling Director. Recycling Directors help people separate their recycling from trash at campus events - before their waste hits the 'wrong' bin. Learn more about the Recycling Director program.

What should I do with e-waste?

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 11:38:42 PST

Directions for recycling e-waste in campus residence halls are posted in each building's waste collection area. Some buildings are different, so be sure to follow your building's instructions.

What is e-waste?

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 11:37:34 PST

E-waste is anything that uses a battery or electric cord. All e-waste can be recycled at Santa Clara University.
Here are some examples:

computer
lamp
remote control
hair dryer
Super Nintendo
alarm clock
fan
hair straightener

Can light bulbs be recycled?

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 11:37:02 PST

The vast majority of recycling programs will not accept light bulbs (such as incandescent bulbs). However, under California's Universal Waste Rule, it is illegal to dispose of compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) (and other fluorescent lights).

A single CFL contains about 5 milligrams of mercury, which can be dangerous to humans and the environment if not disposed of properly. These and other items considered universal waste must be either sent to an authorized recycling facility or to a universal waste consolidator.

More resources:

Find a recycling center in your area Earth911.org.
Article: Fluorsecent Light Bulbs Can Become 'Toxic Time Bombs'
PDF: Managing Universal Waste in California

How can I get involved in RecycleMania?

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 11:19:44 PST

For the ten week duration of RecycleMania, the SCU Recycling Club and those interested in planning RecycleMania will host a number of activities and events for students, faculty and staff. These will be listed on the SCU RecycleMania website, as well as the SCU RecycleMania Facebook group. To participate in these events, you need only to show up! Your attendance will earn you a raffle ticket, which could win you a prize later on in the competition. Also, your attendance will earn your RLC points. This year there will be a competition between RLCs during the weeks of RecycleMania. The winning RLC will be treated with a prize.

If you are interested in volunteering to plan these activities and events, please come to the meetings on Thursdays at 8:00 pm in the Environmental Studies Institute and join the rest of the “RecycleManiacs.” RecycleManiacs host all of the RecycleMania activities for the campus community, and doe a number of separate activities such as chalking, making signs, and doing Trash Audits. Have an idea for a fun event? Share it with the RecycleManiacs!

Another way to volunteer your time is to participate in the Recycling Directors Program. This program is available all year long. Volunteers attend on-campus events (such as athletic events) and help guests to properly sort their waste. The Recycling Directors Program has been shown to be very successful.

What should I do with batteries when I am done with them?

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 11:26:56 PST

When you are finished with batteries you should recycle them. Batteries contain toxic metals that can enter the environment if not properly disposed of, posing a risk to both animals and humans. California became the first state in February 2006 to legally prohibit throwing away batteries and other items considered Universal Waste.

Campus residents: place used batteries and ink cartridges in the blue recycling receptacles at each residence hall's service desk.

Faculty and staff: send used batteries and ink cartridges to Facilities in an intercampus mail envelope.

What can I recycle if I live off-campus?

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 11:35:03 PST

Off-campus recycling procedures are not the same as on campus recycling procedures. In fact, Santa Clara accepts more materials than Santa Clara University accepts. For example, students who live off campus are able to recycle all plastics #1-7 and all glass containers, while the University currently only accepts plastic and glass beverage containers. This means that students living off campus can recycling things such as yogurt containers, glass jars and shampoo bottles.

The following websites provide detailed information concerning recycling off campus:

Does the recycling at SCU go to city/county recycling plants? Who recycles the material?

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 11:35:59 PST

After the recycled materials are collected, they are stored at Facilities until picked up by the respective recycling companies.

Aluminum is recycled by Recycling Services of Silicon Valley.
Metal, glass and plastics are recycled through American Metal & Iron (AMI).
Paper and corrugated cardboard are recycled through Weyerhaeuser. SCU uses a compactor for corrugated cardboard before it is picked up for recycling.
E-waste is handled by E-Waste Recyclers, a company out of Grass Valley.
Batteries are processed as hazardous waste and picked up, along with other hazardous materials (such as fluorescent tubes), monthly by All Chemical Disposal.
Ink cartridges are collected and brought to an elementary school, which recycles the ink cartridges to benefit the school.
Green waste is handled my Mission Trail Waste.

Check out the informative signs in each resident hall’s recycling/waste area to learn more about the recycling process each material undergoes once it has reached the appropriate recycling center.