• Check out the SU Recycling FAQIn July of 1990, the Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency (OCRRA) began their mandatory recycling program. Following suit, SU has collection bins in every building, and recycles about 2,570 tons of paper, cardboard, and containers (glass/plastic/metal) each year. That’s about 48% of our waste, a rate very close to the national average.
Other sustainable initiatives in place that reduce campus waste include:
Composting pre- and post-consumer food waste from SU Food Services’ Commissary and all eight of its major campus dining locations.
Recycling construction materials and debris from new facility construction and renovation projects.
The Purchasing Department’s Excess Property disposal program encourages reuse of furniture and equipment among campus departments. This program also provides a way to recycle e-waste (scroll down to "Computer and Electronic Equipment Recycling End of Life" section).
Sustainable initiatives often produce many benefits such as lower costs, avoided costs and/or reduced emissions. Also, they often contribute several less obvious benefits, such as improved air quality, deferred utility infrastructure upgrades, maintenance labor savings, free publicity and a way to enhance recruiting.
Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency (OCRRA) www.OCRRA.org
What's new!
OK to recycle #5 plastics and softcover books Whether you're on campus, off campus, in the City of Syracuse or anywhere else in Onondaga County, #5 plastics and softcover books are now accepted for recycling. Of course, this is in addition to #1 and #2 plastics, nearly all types of paper and everything else that can be recycled (see next section below).
#5 plastics
Wide-mouthed plastic tubs such as yogurt, margarine, cottage cheese, etc. with the #5 symbol on the bottom. Crackable #5 plastics such as fast food drink cups, etc. are not recyclable.
Softcover books
Paperbacks, phone books, manuals, workbooks, notebooks, etc. Remove any spiral, wire or plastic binding. NO hardcover books accepted.
These 11" x 17" posters are being displayed above/on recycling receptacles located in public spaces in all campus academic and administrative buildings. Need a new poster to replace an old or worn one? Click on the above images (or links to alternate versions with the arrows pointing up) to download (pdf) and print what you need. Or, contact SU's Sustainability Division at 315-443-9820 or sustain@syr.edu.
For more detailed recycling information, check out the SU Recycling FAQ below.
Laboratory Polystyrene Recycling SU now recycles polystyrene (Styrofoam) cold-shipping boxes used in laboratories. The containers are taken to a local company, Thermal Foams in Cicero, for recycling, thus eliminating them from being discarded via the county's waste-to-energy plant. For specifics on pick-up times, locations, etc. download the lab polystyrene recycling procedures (pdf, 778 KB).Questions? Contact sustain@syr.edu.
Go greener with a zero-waste event Whether you're inviting friends over for a sustainable potluck, organizing a student club meeting or throwing a department gala, it's pretty simple—and satisfying—to make your gathering a zero-waste event. Or, at least come pretty darn close to it! MORE...
Is recycling mandatory at SU?
Yes. The University complies with the Onondaga County Source Separation Law. Learn more about this law atwww.ocrra.org/documents/RecyclingLaw_071610.pdf (pdf, 32 KB).
Do I have to separate my recyclables on campus?
Yes, they should be separated and clean. The three basic categories are:
Mixed paper, including softcover books, and paperboard (together in one container)
Corrugated cardboard and pizza boxes (please flatten and stack next to a paper container)
Mixed recyclables:
Plastic #1 and #2, bottles and jugs only (please remove the cap), #5 tub containers such as yogurt cups and butter tubs
Tin, steel, and aluminum food and beverage cans, plus aluminum foil
Glass bottles and jars
Gable-topped cartons (such as orange juice cartons) and aseptic containers (such as soy milk and juice boxes)
What happens to the campus recyclables?
Items discarded in campus recycling bins go to the Syracuse Haulers Waste Removal, Inc. facility in Syracuse, about 3 miles away. Here, the items are processed and prepared for sale to manufacturers who can use the materials in new products.
What happens to the campus trash?
Trash from the SU campus goes to the Onondaga County Waste-to-Energy Facility in Jamesville, NY, about 5 miles away. Learn more about this facility at http://www.ocrra.org/trash_wte.asp. Your trash makes electricity.
I have seen University custodians dumping both trash and recyclables into one container. What’s going on?
Some custodians use one container with two bags inside. To clarify the collection procedure in your area, contact the Physical Plant Maintenance Zone for your building.
What is the University’s recycling rate?
It is currently calculated at 47.8% for basic mandatory recyclables (paper, cardboard, and cans/bottles). The University also recycles specialized items—including batteries, electronics, fluorescent light bulbs, scrap metal, compostable yard waste, and construction debris—which are not reflected in this rate.
Is the University planning to add recycling receptacles outdoors and in parking garages?
The University has added an additional six outdoor recycling containers.
The recycling toters/containers located next to the dumpsters by the South Campus housing units are overflowing—is someone ordering larger ones?
No. Maintenance staff have investigated and determined that these overflows occur only during a few peak times.
Why do I see mattresses in campus trash dumpsters?
They are too damaged to be reused. The University donates most of its old mattresses to charitable organizations. A relatively small number of mattresses go into the trash because they are too damaged to be suitable for donation. In 2008, the University donated roughly 500 mattresses and discarded about 100.
How do I report a problem with a University recycling receptacle (damaged, missing, etc.)? Students: Contact FixIt at 443-4948 for receptacles in residence units. Alternately, complete an online service request at http://auxiliaryservices.syr.edu/fixit/request.html.
Employees: Work with the office manager or administrative assistant in your department to contact the Physical Plant Maintenance Zone for your building.
How do I get recycling instructions to post?
You are encouraged to download, print and post any of the following recycling instructions that best meet your needs:
Four-page OCRRA Recycling brochure (pdf, 4 MB; it's a pretty large file) gives a quick overview of all that is recyclable.
How do I request temporary recycling containers for a special event or office clean-out?
Contact the maintenance zone that provides service to the building or area. For a list of buildings and their zones, see the Physical Plant web site. For outdoor events, contact the Physical Plant Central Zone Grounds & Utilities group at 443-4984.
Note about office clean-outs: If large amounts of confidential paperwork will be discarded, the department should contact Materials Distribution to arrange for mass shredding. This shredded paper is also recycled. For clarification on what is considered confidential, see the list maintained by Information Technology and Services at http://its.syr.edu/security/remoteaccess/confidential_data.cfm.
Who do I call with general recycling questions or ideas for the campus program?
Contact the SU Sustainability Division at 315-443-9820 or sustain@syr.edu.
How do I recycle batteries on campus? Students: Drop them in the battery collection bucket in the main desk area of your residence hall. You can also find collection buckets in classroom buildings (see Employees, below).
Employees: There should be at least one battery collection bucket per floor of your building. Buckets are often located near hallway recycling receptacles. If there is no bucket on your floor, call the main number for the Environmental Health Office (EHO) at 443-4132.
How do I recycle empty printer/copier cartridges? SU offices:
If your vendor offers a mail-back program for empty cartridges, save the original carton and use the shipping label provided inside to return the cartridge to the vendor.
Corporate Express customers can give empty cartridges to the driver the next time an order is delivered.
Materials Distribution accepts cartridges of any type, regardless of whether or not they are purchased from Central Stores. Use the ship form at http://mdoos.syr.edu/shipform.asp to submit an online request for cartridge pickup. Include the number of cartridges in the description field. Cartridges must be in boxes.
At least one SU department has a staff member who voluntarily takes the empty inkjet cartridges that are collected, recycles them through http://www.empties4cash.com , and then donates the proceeds to an organization of her choosing.
Student, personal, or home equipment:
Some manufacturers, such as HP and Lexmark, offer free mail-back programs for empty cartridges. Check your packaging or the manufacturer’s web site for information.
Staples accepts all brands of ink and laser toner cartridges and offers an exchange-by-mail service.
OfficeMax accepts HP, Lexmark, and Dell brand ink and toner cartridges.
How do I recycle electronics (e-waste)?
Equipment owned by the University:
Contact the Purchasing Department for help in arranging to either:
Recycle broken items through the University’s e-waste disposal contract.
Note: Equipment must be data-sanitized (hard drive wiped) by an information technology support person prior to sale or transfer. For more information, see the University policy on Data Removal from Computers and Portable Electronic Devices at http://supolicies.syr.edu/it/data_removal.htm.
Student, personal or home equipment:
Cell phones:
SU’s Advocacy Center collects old cell phones (any condition) for the Verizon HopeLine program, which benefits individuals affected by domestic violence.
Peripherals, such as chargers, for any of these items
Microwaves
Other similar items
How do I recycle CDs and DVDs? SU offices: Back Thru the Future is a company currently used by at least one SU office. You can mail an unlimited number of CDs/DVDs for free recycling (you pay postage). The CDs are shredded prior to recycling to ensure the physical destruction of sensitive data. To use this company, place the CDs/DVDs loose (no jewel cases, booklets, or packaging of any kind) in a box labeled “Free CD Recycling” and ship to:
Back Thru the Future Technology Disposal
150 Main Street
Ogdensburg, NJ 07439
Note: Booklets can be recycled with regular office paper. Jewel cases can be reused for new CDs.
How do I responsibly dispose of unwanted kitchen appliances? SU departments:
Clean appliances in good working condition: Contact the Purchasing Department’s Excess Property Manager, Penny Letcher, at 443-2288 to discuss selling your refrigerator, microwave, or other unwanted items through the Excess Property Disposal Program.
Microwave that is unsuitable for sale/reuse: Contact Penny Letcher (see above) to recycle through the University’s e-waste disposal contract.
Refrigerator or freezer that is unsuitable for sale/reuse: Contact the Physical Plant Maintenance Zone for your building to schedule a work order. An HVAC person will then remove/reclaim refrigerants; the remaining metal will be recycled as scrap. To satisfy EPA requirements for safe disposal of refrigerant-containing equipment, the Zone will complete an Intact Equipment Disposal form. This form documents the fact that the refrigerant has been removed.
Student, personal, or home appliances:
Donate items in good working condition:
Salvation Army accepts small appliances, such as coffee makers and toaster ovens (no microwaves).
The Syracuse Habitat for Humanity ReStore accepts microwaves and large appliances, such as refrigerators, stoves, and dishwashers. Items must be clean and no more than 10 years old.
Dispose of items that cannot be donated:
Deliver large or small appliances to OCRRA’s Rock Cut Road Transfer Station. You will pay an extra fee for microwaves and items with refrigerants.
Have any items you cannot deliver yourself picked up, for a fee, by CSG (East Syracuse, 315-433-5032) or Charette Brothers (Syracuse, 315-469-1663).
How do I dispose of fats, oils and grease (F.O.G.) generated from cooking?
Don't wash F.O.G. down the drain with hot water! F.O.G. can block sewer lines and lead to raw sewage back ups, which may harm your health and the environment. Instead...
Collect F.O.G. in a metal can or glass jar (empty coffee can, pickle jar, etc.) with a lid. Use a strainer to catch and dispose of any leftover food. When the container is full, simply toss it in the trash.
Recycle F.O.G.! Household F.O.G. may be taken to the Metropolitan Syracuse Wastewater Treatment Plant (does not apply to businesses) located at 650 Hiawatha Boulevard West (just south of Carousel Mall) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week.
How do I recycle compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs)? On campus—students and employees:
Call the Environmental Health Office at 443-9132 (Hazardous Waste Operations Manager) or 443-4132 (main desk) to arrange a waste pickup.
Off campus:
Several hardware stores offer free CFL recycling:
How do I recycle books?
Recycle softcover books such as paperbacks, phone books, manuals, workbooks, notebooks, etc. in both on-campus recycling receptacles and off-campus "blue bins." Remove any spiral, wire or plastic binding. NO hardcover books accepted. Here are some options for donating or reusing old books:
Textbooks: The Syracuse University Bookstore will buy back many texts, regardless of where they were purchased. For more information, see http://bookstore.syr.edu/textbooks/buyback.php.
Hard and softcover books: Donate books in good condition to a local nonprofit, such as a hospital or nursing home, the Salvation Army, or a library planning a book sale. It is a good idea to call first and clarify what the organization can accept, and when. Note that many organizations do not want textbooks.
When I recycle paper, do I have to remove staples and paper clips?
No. However, paper clips are reusable, so you will conserve more resources by removing them.
Can I compost the food waste from my office break room?
Yes. If everyone in your department or work area agrees, you can set up a small indoor worm bin. This type of composting is called vermicomposting. It is also well-suited to homes and kids’ science classrooms. A special type of worm can transform the food garbage into a soil amendment that can be used as a mulch or fertilizer for plants. For more information, see:
Periodic shoe drives at local shoe stores, schools, and places of worship—for example, The Finish Line on Erie Boulevard has participated in the Soles for Souls program (http://www.soles4souls.org)
Truly worn out (not usable) shoes can be recycled through the Nike Reuse-a-Shoe program (http://www.nikereuseashoe.com/). This program grinds up old shoes and makes them into athletic surfaces, like tracks and tennis courts. It accepts all brands of shoes. There is a drop-off location at The Nike Factory Store at the Waterloo Outlets, 655 Route 318, Suite 13, Waterloo, NY 13165,
315-539-4094.
Didn’t find the information you were looking for?
Contact the Sustainability Division at 443-9820 or sustain@syr.edu. Your question will be answered individually and may be added to the FAQ.
