Computer Recycling    |    Battery Recycling

Computer Recycling

The following steps are to be taken by Information Technology, the Facilities Services Grounds Department, and EH&S in managing this program.

As of April 1, 2000, the Department of Environmental Protection has banned cathode ray tubes (CRTs), which include computer screens and televisions, from land disposal. To comply with this requirement, Boston College will send CRTs and other computer-related equipment offsite to a recycling company. The following are steps to be taken by Information Technology, Grounds, and EH&S in managing this program.

Procedure

1. IT will collect irreparable and obsolete computer and other applicable electronic equipment from the Boston College community for disposal in the IT space in Gasson Hall.
2. When at least 15–20 pieces of equipment have been collected, IT will contact Grounds to move the equipment to the Warehouse off-campus. IT should plan on a one-week response time from Grounds.
3. Grounds will move the equipment from IT to the Warehouse in an area designated by the Warehouse Supervisor.
4. Two bins are located in this area. One of the bins should be used for monitors only, the other bin for various electronic equipment.
5. Grounds and or Warehouse personnel should contact EH&S when the bins are nearly full of equipment and ready for offsite recycling.
6. Once the bins are full, EH&S will contact a recycling vendor to pick up the bins. Replacement bins will be left for further collection.

Contact

Gail Hall, EH&S, 2-0300, gail.hall@bc.edu

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Battery Recycling

We are all enjoying the convenience of rechargeable batteries in cellular phones, laptop computers, cordless power tools, and video cameras. More than 350 million rechargeable batteries are purchased annually in the United States. However, while the toxic heavy metals contained within batteries pose no real risk while in use, they can be of concern when discarded with ordinary municipal solid waste. For instance, nickel cadmium rechargeable batteries were estimated to represent approximately 75% of the cadmium found in the municipal solid waste stream in 1995.

To help prevent the release of these toxic materials into the environment, the Mercury Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act was put into effect. This Act is a major step forward in the recycling of batteries and in phasing out the use of mercury in batteries.

In accordance with this Act, the Environmental Health and Safety Office at Boston College will collect all batteries used on campus for proper management and disposal to an offsite recycling facility.

Batteries can be dropped off at the following locations:

• O'Neill Library, Level 2, adjacent to the elevators
• St. Clement's, Room 214 (mail or drop off)
• Stuart Hall

Any questions or comments on this program can be directed to:

Gail Hall, EH&S Officer
Environmental Health & Safety
x2-0300
gail.hall@bc.edu

For more information on the Mercury Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act, visit the EPA's web site, or call the EPA RCRA Hotline for general questions on battery recycling: 1-800-424-9346.

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