One of the first steps in creating a sustainable environment is to RECYCLE. Know what your office, dormitory, institution or community accepts for recycling, how they want it collected (segregated or co-mingled) and how often they remove recycled materials from your area. Communicate the recycling information to co-workers, residents and new community members so they can participate in the program as well.
Here are a few helpful tips for organizing recycling in your area:
Communicate what can be recycled by hanging posters or signs
Indicate which materials go into which bins with concise labels
Have the appropriate number of collection bins for your area
Check out the Working Group Recycling (WGR) website for more recycling details and ideas on how to live and work green at MIT and beyond.
Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs) are the main component in a television or computer monitor’s display unit and may contain up to several pounds of lead, a toxic substance. Electronic equipment also contains a large amount of metals and plastics that are recyclable.
MIT’s Recycling Program manages the collection and recycling of these items, big and small. We encourage you to refer to the Facilities recycling website for specific information on what can be recycled and how. The ‘What Can Be Recycled’ page should answer all of your questions about recycling TechnoCycle and E-Waste.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Sustainable Materials Management, “batteries contain heavy metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium, and nickel, which can contaminate the environment when batteries are improperly disposed of. When incinerated, certain metals might be released into the air or can concentrate in the ash produced by the combustion process. One way to reduce the number of batteries in the waste stream is to purchase rechargeable batteries.”
Heavy metals have been removed from modern alkaline batteries manufactured in the U.S. but they can still be recycled. Rechargeable batteries contain heavy metals or other constituents which require they be recycled. Whether you use disposable or rechargeable batteries, you should recycle the battery at the end of its lifespan. MIT has recently changed the battery recycling program to capture all types of batteries and to ensure safety measures for proper shipment to the recycling facility.
How to Recycle:
MIT accepts for recycling all types of batteries, including alkaline batteries. Batteries that must be recycled include: rechargeable batteries such as nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride, lithium ion (button batteries used in watches and hearing aids), laptop batteries and lead acid batteries. Visit the Facilities webiste for battery bin recycling labels.
Battery terminals should be taped as a fire prevention measure during collection and transportation.
The EHS Office has worked closely with the MIT Recycling Program, Custodial Services group and various labs on campus to identify a safe and effective means of collecting and recycling clean glassware, plastics, cardboard and other single stream recyclables from the lab. If you happen to have additional questions or would like to start actively recycling materials in your lab please contact EHS for guidance and information by sending an email to environment@mit.edu.
Empty chemical bottles must be triple rinsed with approximately 50mL of water to remove the residual vapors and associated odor from the bottle prior to recycling.
Collect the first rinse with the associated hazardous waste.
Dispose of the second & third rinses down the drain.
Please DO NOT triple rinse or recycle empty acutely hazardous waste (P-listed) chemical bottles. Please treat these empty containers as hazardous waste.
Remove or deface the original chemical labeling on the bottle.
Recap the bottle after rinsing.
Recycle the empty container by placing it in a puncture-proof container; such as a cardboard box or recycling bin.
Clearly indicate “Clean Glassware for Recycling” on the taped box. Place the taped box near the lab’s trash for Custodial Services to collect.
*Note – please do not rinse and recycle acutely hazardous chemical containers (Sodium Azide, Osmium Tetroxide, Propargyl alcohol, etc); pyrophoric chemical containers; and chemical containers with strong odors (methacrylates, thiols, mercaptans, etc). Please simply place these empty containers in a chemical solid waste bin with the associated waste stream.
Clean Broken Glassware Container: clean glass only, no odors, no needles, no chemical debris.
Disposal Process
Use a sturdy, small cardboard box to collect.
Tape the bottom of the box before use.
Once filled, close the inner liner, if you have one.
Check the weight of the box when it is half full. It will not be removed if it is more than 40 pounds
Replace the lid (or close the box) and tape it closed.
Indicate, CLEAN BROKEN GLASS for RECYCLING on the outer box.
Move the box to a location within the lab that is close to the trash.
Custodial Services will remove the box during their evening rounds. If the box is not removed within 2-3 days, place a request for pickup via Atlas Service Requests.
Refer to the Empty Chemical Bottles section for information on how to dispose of empty chemical bottles.
EHS is collecting pipette tip boxes and plastic conical tube racks to recycle with a local start-up.
Labs who would like to participate will be given a collection box to collect the pipette tip boxes and plastic conical tube racks. When the collection bin is full, labs will submit a pick-up request.
What is accepted:
Figure 1: Pipette Tip Box and Figure 2: Plastic Conical Tube Racks
This program is in collaboration with Department of Facilities Recycling Programs. If you have any questions about this program, please contact pipetip@mit.edu.
Waste Reduction
MIT’s Working Group Recycling (WGR), in collaboration with the Environment, Health & Safety Office, Sustainability Program and Department of Facilities, has developed a lot of great resources on how to be more sustainable in your daily lives at MIT and beyond. Some of the information you may find helpful includes:
How to remove yourself from junk mail lists
Where to buy recycled content items for the office, the lab, or around the house
What to do with your extra packing peanuts and shipping materials
The art of composting
How to Print Smarter – double-sided, recycled content, etc.
If you’re looking for additional resources for sustainable living & working, visit the Working Green which is home to the Green Ambassador Program and other great information about MIT’s Campus Sustainability activities.
The Department of Facilities has placed Got Books & Planet Aide donation bins at various locations throughout campus for books and clothes. Feel free to donate your extra items at these locations.
Before you recycle it, see if you can reuse it. MIT has a great resource for community members to offer reusable items for sale or to give away. A wide variety of items are reused or sold on this email list ranging from salt shakers to computers to cars and it will often be picked up at your door. To join the email list contact reuse@mit.edu.
Donate your surplus reusable furniture. For more than 30 years the MIT Furniture Exchange (FX) has been providing service to hundreds of students who need home furnishings. We sell items at reasonable prices and all of our profits go to the MIT Women’s League Scholarship Fund. In the past 7 years, the FX has donated over $200,000 to this worthwhile fund.
To make arrangements for the transportation and/or donation of your excess reusable furniture contact fx@mit.edu or recycling@mit.edu.
Buy surplus lab, computer, and office furniture at MIT’s Equipment Exchange. The WW15 Equipment Exchange and Storage Warehouse has surplus lab, computer, and office furniture. Preference is given to people wishing to reuse items at the Institute. There is no charge for items that are transferred back on campus. You must arrange for your own transportation and/or moving. Items not claimed for transfer are sold to the general public for reasonable prices.
MIT’s new surplus materials sharing technology. Sign up to join the RHEAPLY pilot.
Each spring as students pack up and leave the dorms for the summer, excess clothing and house-wares are donated to Stuff Fest. This event, held at the end of May, can generate over 7,000 pounds of clothing, house-wares, and food! Several charities and volunteer organizations partake in Stuff Fest, including The MIT Women’s League, MIT’s WGR, the EHS Office and student volunteers from each undergraduate dorm. Professional clothing is used by the Women’s League for their Clothing Service Project, while the remaining items are donated to a local charity. Remaining items that may not be appropriate for these causes are sent to Planet Aid. For more information or to volunteer for Stuff Fest, email be-green@mit.edu.
Recycling
One of the first steps in creating a sustainable environment is to RECYCLE. Know what your office, dormitory, institution or community accepts for recycling, how they want it collected (segregated or co-mingled) and how often they remove recycled materials from your area. Communicate the recycling information to co-workers, residents and new community members so they can participate in the program as well.
Here are a few helpful tips for organizing recycling in your area:
Communicate what can be recycled by hanging posters or signs
Indicate which materials go into which bins with concise labels
Have the appropriate number of collection bins for your area
Check out the Working Group Recycling (WGR) website for more recycling details and ideas on how to live and work green at MIT and beyond.
Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs) are the main component in a television or computer monitor’s display unit and may contain up to several pounds of lead, a toxic substance. Electronic equipment also contains a large amount of metals and plastics that are recyclable.
MIT’s Recycling Program manages the collection and recycling of these items, big and small. We encourage you to refer to the Facilities recycling website for specific information on what can be recycled and how. The ‘What Can Be Recycled’ page should answer all of your questions about recycling TechnoCycle and E-Waste.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Sustainable Materials Management, “batteries contain heavy metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium, and nickel, which can contaminate the environment when batteries are improperly disposed of. When incinerated, certain metals might be released into the air or can concentrate in the ash produced by the combustion process. One way to reduce the number of batteries in the waste stream is to purchase rechargeable batteries.”
Heavy metals have been removed from modern alkaline batteries manufactured in the U.S. but they can still be recycled. Rechargeable batteries contain heavy metals or other constituents which require they be recycled. Whether you use disposable or rechargeable batteries, you should recycle the battery at the end of its lifespan. MIT has recently changed the battery recycling program to capture all types of batteries and to ensure safety measures for proper shipment to the recycling facility.
How to Recycle:
MIT accepts for recycling all types of batteries, including alkaline batteries. Batteries that must be recycled include: rechargeable batteries such as nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride, lithium ion (button batteries used in watches and hearing aids), laptop batteries and lead acid batteries. Visit the Facilities webiste for battery bin recycling labels.
Battery terminals should be taped as a fire prevention measure during collection and transportation.
The EHS Office has worked closely with the MIT Recycling Program, Custodial Services group and various labs on campus to identify a safe and effective means of collecting and recycling clean glassware, plastics, cardboard and other single stream recyclables from the lab. If you happen to have additional questions or would like to start actively recycling materials in your lab please contact EHS for guidance and information by sending an email to environment@mit.edu.
Empty chemical bottles must be triple rinsed with approximately 50mL of water to remove the residual vapors and associated odor from the bottle prior to recycling.
Collect the first rinse with the associated hazardous waste.
Dispose of the second & third rinses down the drain.
Please DO NOT triple rinse or recycle empty acutely hazardous waste (P-listed) chemical bottles. Please treat these empty containers as hazardous waste.
Remove or deface the original chemical labeling on the bottle.
Recap the bottle after rinsing.
Recycle the empty container by placing it in a puncture-proof container; such as a cardboard box or recycling bin.
Clearly indicate “Clean Glassware for Recycling” on the taped box. Place the taped box near the lab’s trash for Custodial Services to collect.
*Note – please do not rinse and recycle acutely hazardous chemical containers (Sodium Azide, Osmium Tetroxide, Propargyl alcohol, etc); pyrophoric chemical containers; and chemical containers with strong odors (methacrylates, thiols, mercaptans, etc). Please simply place these empty containers in a chemical solid waste bin with the associated waste stream.
Clean Broken Glassware Container: clean glass only, no odors, no needles, no chemical debris.
Disposal Process
Use a sturdy, small cardboard box to collect.
Tape the bottom of the box before use.
Once filled, close the inner liner, if you have one.
Check the weight of the box when it is half full. It will not be removed if it is more than 40 pounds
Replace the lid (or close the box) and tape it closed.
Indicate, CLEAN BROKEN GLASS for RECYCLING on the outer box.
Move the box to a location within the lab that is close to the trash.
Custodial Services will remove the box during their evening rounds. If the box is not removed within 2-3 days, place a request for pickup via Atlas Service Requests.
Refer to the Empty Chemical Bottles section for information on how to dispose of empty chemical bottles.
EHS is collecting pipette tip boxes and plastic conical tube racks to recycle with a local start-up.
Labs who would like to participate will be given a collection box to collect the pipette tip boxes and plastic conical tube racks. When the collection bin is full, labs will submit a pick-up request.
What is accepted:
Figure 1: Pipette Tip Box and Figure 2: Plastic Conical Tube Racks
This program is in collaboration with Department of Facilities Recycling Programs. If you have any questions about this program, please contact pipetip@mit.edu.
Waste Reduction
MIT’s Working Group Recycling (WGR), in collaboration with the Environment, Health & Safety Office, Sustainability Program and Department of Facilities, has developed a lot of great resources on how to be more sustainable in your daily lives at MIT and beyond. Some of the information you may find helpful includes:
How to remove yourself from junk mail lists
Where to buy recycled content items for the office, the lab, or around the house
What to do with your extra packing peanuts and shipping materials
The art of composting
How to Print Smarter – double-sided, recycled content, etc.
If you’re looking for additional resources for sustainable living & working, visit the Working Green which is home to the Green Ambassador Program and other great information about MIT’s Campus Sustainability activities.
The Department of Facilities has placed Got Books & Planet Aide donation bins at various locations throughout campus for books and clothes. Feel free to donate your extra items at these locations.
Before you recycle it, see if you can reuse it. MIT has a great resource for community members to offer reusable items for sale or to give away. A wide variety of items are reused or sold on this email list ranging from salt shakers to computers to cars and it will often be picked up at your door. To join the email list contact reuse@mit.edu.
Donate your surplus reusable furniture. For more than 30 years the MIT Furniture Exchange (FX) has been providing service to hundreds of students who need home furnishings. We sell items at reasonable prices and all of our profits go to the MIT Women’s League Scholarship Fund. In the past 7 years, the FX has donated over $200,000 to this worthwhile fund.
To make arrangements for the transportation and/or donation of your excess reusable furniture contact fx@mit.edu or recycling@mit.edu.
Buy surplus lab, computer, and office furniture at MIT’s Equipment Exchange. The WW15 Equipment Exchange and Storage Warehouse has surplus lab, computer, and office furniture. Preference is given to people wishing to reuse items at the Institute. There is no charge for items that are transferred back on campus. You must arrange for your own transportation and/or moving. Items not claimed for transfer are sold to the general public for reasonable prices.
MIT’s new surplus materials sharing technology. Sign up to join the RHEAPLY pilot.
Each spring as students pack up and leave the dorms for the summer, excess clothing and house-wares are donated to Stuff Fest. This event, held at the end of May, can generate over 7,000 pounds of clothing, house-wares, and food! Several charities and volunteer organizations partake in Stuff Fest, including The MIT Women’s League, MIT’s WGR, the EHS Office and student volunteers from each undergraduate dorm. Professional clothing is used by the Women’s League for their Clothing Service Project, while the remaining items are donated to a local charity. Remaining items that may not be appropriate for these causes are sent to Planet Aid. For more information or to volunteer for Stuff Fest, email be-green@mit.edu.
