Frequently Asked Questions About Recycling at MIT

Batteries
Compost
Electronics
Lab Equipment
Light Bulbs
Recycling Bins
Recycling Services, Costs, and Hours of Operation
Reduce, Reuse, Recycling, and Rethink
Shredding Services
Toner and Inkjet Cartridges
Wood and Furniture

Batteries

How do I recycle batteries?

MIT now accepts all types of batteries for recycling, including domestically manufactured alkaline batteries. How to dispose of batteries on campus, depends on what kind they are. Any battery with a terminal must have that area taped over in order to prevent fires during collection and transportation.

Place batteries in a Battery disposal bin. Do not send through interdepartmental mail. Battery disposal bins are located in Facilities Stockroom, E19-107; Facilities, NE49-2000; VWR Stockroom, 56-068; EHS, N52-496; Stratton Student Center, 1st floor; Stata Center, 1st floor; all residence halls; and most Distributed Mail Centers (DMCs).

[to top]

Compost

Does MIT compost?

The MIT Department of Facilities and the Working Group Recycling Committee (WGR) have teamed up to create a new composting program in the Forbes Cafe in the Stata Center. Compostable items include food and paper goods, but do not include plastic dinnerware or styrofoam.

MIT also collects waste from food preparation in dining facilities, some student residences and independent living groups.

How can my kitchen or restaurant participate in the composting program?

Potential areas of expansion include FSILGs and other kitchens or restaurants located on campus that are not part of the current program. All that is needed to set up a program is one dedicated person on the dining staff or within a living group to take ownership of the program, oversee it and ensure that high quality, uncontaminated and clean organic materials are accumulated. If you are interested in the program or would like to create a pilot project, please send an email to recycling@mit.edu and be-green@mit.edu.

[to top]

Electronics

What is the difference between eWaste and TechnoCycle?

eWaste is electronic waste such as Monitors, CPUs, Televisions, Printers, Copiers, and their components (mice, keyboards, speakers, etc.)

TechnoCycle is electronic waste related to daily-use technologies; such as, cell phones, PDAs, pagers, floppy disks, CDs and CD cases, video tapes, cables and wires.

How do I recycle eWaste?

Faciliites no longer charges for pick up of electronic items that weigh under 50 lbs. each.To request a pick-up of your office CPUs, monitors, printers, fax machines, and other electronics that weigh less than 50 lbs, go to SAPweb. Allow 5-7 days for pick up of these items due to high demand for this service.

For items that weigh more than 50 lbs, please submit a work request through the Building Services tab in SAPweb (fill in the quantity in the “large items” box) to schedule a pick-up of your items.

There are no centralized drop-off areas at MIT for eWaste. Dumping of materials on loading docks
Loading docks at Building N52, in closets, in basements, or in hallways creates hazardous situations.

How do I recycle TechnoCycle?

TechnoCycle bins
TechnoCycle bins are located in most Distributed Mail Centers (DMCs). TechnoCycle items may also be sent through campus mail in envelopes or small boxes to TechnoCycle, NW62. Also, refer to our recycling guidelines for what can and can not be recycled.

Refer to our eWaste and TechoCycle recycling guidelines for information on what can be recycled and how to prepare your items for pick-up.

[to top]

Lab Equipment

How do I recycle lab equipment or appliances (White Goods)?

Incubators, refrigerators, and other white goods must be removed by an MIT Recycling Team member. Please submit a work request through SAP (select “internal provider”) to schedule a pick-up of your items. Refer to our White Goods Recycling guidelines for information on what can and can not be recycled. There are no centralized drop-off areas at MIT for White Goods. Dumping of materials on loading docks, in closets, in basements, or in hallways
Abandoned trash in hallways creates hazardous situations.

Please note: The proper disposal of white goods is regulated under both Massachusetts and, in most cases, Federal Law. Responsible handling of your white goods ensures that MIT and your department are complying with disposal restrictions. Equipment that has been improperly abandoned will be traced back to the source for removal charges.

[to top]

Light Bulbs

How do I recycle or replace a light bulb?

All light bulbs must be disposed of properly under Massachusetts and Federal Law. To replace light bulbs or to request pickup of light bulbs, submit a request through SAPweb under the Building Services tab, under the Repairs section. Or, contact the Environment, Health and Safety Office to schedule removal of light bulbs.

[to top]

Recycling Bins

How do I get a recycling bin?

It depends on which kind you need. MIT utilizes two sizes of bins for indoor recycling: a desk-side bin
Desk-side bin and a centralized indoor bin
Centralized indoor bin.

The desk-side bin
Desk-side bin is approximately the same size as a desk-side trash can. There is no charge to MIT departments for the desk-side bins. To order, go to the Building Services page in SAPWeb and click on the Recycling and Trash link. Then, fill out the order form. Your bin will be sent within five business days.

The centralized indoor bin
Centralized indoor bin is approximately the size of a hallway trash bin. The Department of Facilities supplies bins for hallways. However, DLCs are responsible for ordering centralized bins for their offices, labs, conference rooms, and lunch rooms. Bins and lids can be ordered through SAP web purchasing from Staples. The order numbers are:

039795 - Rubbermaid Slim Jim bottle and can recycling lid, green

039796 - Rubbermaid Slim Jim bottle and can recycling lid, blue                         

540633 - Rubbermaid Slim Jim Station, blue, 30” x 20” x 11"

We are doing a major clean out of files. How do I get a really large bin?

A 90-gallon wheeling tote
Tote is available to a department to accommodate file purges, office clean-outs, overprints, and any other "spring cleaning". Please submit a work request through SAP to schedule a drop-off. Be sure to fill in the dates for us to drop the bin off and pick it up.

[to top]

Recycling Services, Costs, and Hours of Operation

How do I schedule recycling services?

We require a work request submitted through SAP to perform recycling services such as clean-outs, scrap and obsolete item removal, shredding, and events recycling. Once the work request has been submitted, a representative will contact you to schedule an appropriate time and date. Dates are scheduled on a first come, first serve basis. To help us better serve you we ask for at least three (3) business days notice before any recycling service. Please note: we do not charge for desk-side and individual recycling bin deliveries.

How much do recycling services cost?

We charge for services by the hour. The standard rate for a two-person Recycling Team during normal hours of operation (7 AM to 2:30 PM, Monday through Friday) is approximately $86.00 per hour. Jobs occurring outside regular hours are considered overtime. Charges are based on actual time spent on the job, prorated to the half hour. The hourly rate includes equipment and disposal charges.

What are the Recycling Program’s hours of operation?

Regular Recycling Team’s hours are 7 AMto 2:30 PM, Monday through Friday.

[to top]

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rethink

How do I get involved with recycling at MIT?

There are many opportunities, whether you are a student, staff member, faculty member, researcher or visitor. The first step is to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rethink! Get a good recycling bin and use it every day. Become a recycling ambassador.

How do I reduce how much solid waste I produce?

The first step in reducing the amount of solid waste you produce is to stop buying so much stuff! With every purchase we make we are not just buying the item we want—we are also buying the packaging and other extraneous materials that commonly come with products.

Are there places on campus where I can donate stuff I don't need any more?

Many avenues exist for reuse at MIT. If you have furniture or other items in great condition, you can make arrangements with the MIT Student Furniture Exchange at WW15 to arrange a drop-off. Or, you can join the reuse@mit.edu list to donate or locate materials. Items with an MIT sticker must be deactivated by the Property Office before equipment can be donated. Call MIT extension 3-2779 for more information.

There are also clothing and book collection bins on campus.

What is the MIT Recycling Rate?

MIT has a healthy recycling rate of 40%. This is excellent when compared across the country to other education institutions. Can we do better? Absolutely. Our current goal is to increase recycling by 5% annually for four years.

[to top]

Shredding Services

Does the Recycling Program offer shredding services?

MIT Recycling offers shredding services for jobs of up to 100 boxes. Paper clips, rubber bands, staples, and small clips do not need to be removed. Our cross-cut shredder is recommended for non-HIPPA and non-FERPA materials only. Submit a work request through SAP and a representative will contact you. Please note that paper files with personal information must be disposed of in a way that ensures that the files can't be read or reconstructed. For information about what must be protected and the best way to dispose of paper and electronic files, visit the Protecting Sensitive Information web pages.

[to top]

Toner and Inkjet Cartridges

How do I recycle toner cartridges?

Any size toner or inkjet cartridge may be placed in one of the Toner Cartridge recycling boxes available in most Distributed Mail Centers on campus.

[to top]

Wood and Furniture

How do I recycle pallets, crates, and wood?

Pallets, crates, wooden furniture, and other wood items can all be recycled at MIT as scrap wood. Wood can be treated or un-treated. Submit a work request through SAP and a representative will contact you to schedule removal. Large wooden items may pose tripping and fire hazards, and can block accessibility through hallways and on loading docks. Please be responsible with placement.

How do I recycle furniture?

Our Recycling Team can judge how old or unwanted furniture will be disposed of. In many cases, furniture in excellent condition may be reused by the MIT community. If the furniture you are disposing of is in excellent condition, please make arrangements with the MIT Student Furniture Exchange (FX), at WW15 to arrange a drop-off. MIT Movers can supply transport for the furniture to WW15 to be placed in the furniture exchange. If furniture is unusable, it will be recycled as scrap metal or scrap wood. In rare cases, some furniture may be disposed of as trash. In all cases, please submit a work order through SAP to get furniture removed.

[to top]