Special Materials Recycling Instructions
HOW: There are over 100 battery recycling bins on campus. View
this list for a complete overview of locations. All battery types
listed below can be deposited in the battery bin. Please individually
wrap lithium batteries in a plastic or paper bag before depositing
in the campus battery recycling bin.
To recycle Lead Acid Batteries, contact Environmental Safety via:
http://www.des.umd.edu/
WHY: Batteries are made from important resources and chemicals, including lead, cadmium, zinc, lithium and mercury, many of
which can be recovered and reused to make new products or batteries. To reduce the number of batteries, heavy metals and toxic
chemicals in landfills, the University of Maryland Department of
Environmental Safety and the Recycling and Solid Waste Unit
teamed up to develop a program to recycle the campus' unwanted
batteries. These include alkaline, nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal
hydride, and lithium batteries.
HOW: Be sure that any confidential data has been erased from
the phone, including contacts, pictures and text messages. Cell
phones and other small electronic devices can be recycled
through FM’s Recycling and Solid Waste Unit.
Email recycle@umd.edu to schedule a pick-up.
WHY: Most Americans get a new cell phone every 18-24
months, when their contract expires and they are eligible for a
free or low-cost upgrade to a new model. Recycling cell phones
conserves a variety of precious metals, copper and plastics contained in each mobile device while also preventing the release of
greenhouse gases and other pollutants created during extraction
and processing of raw materials.
HOW: Small electronics collections bins are found in most on-campus residence halls as well as several IT departments. If the equipment has a University
Asset tag or is storing University data, the equipment MUST be cleared
through Terrapin Trader. Peripherals and other small electronic devices can be
recycled through FM’s Recycling and Solid Waste Unit.
Email recycle@umd.edu to schedule a pick-up or to request an e-waste bin.
Click here to see what electronics are accepted by our e-waste recycling vendor.
WHY: Electronic equipment remains one of the fast growing types of
waste in the nation since it is generated by equipment that is routinely
replaced. Electronic products are made from valuable resources and
materials, including metals, plastics, and glass, all of which require
energy to mine and manufacture. Some of these items contain toxic
substances such as mercury, lead, cadmium, arsenic, and brominated
flame retardants. All electronic equipment at the University is considered surplus equipment and is managed by Terrapin Trader. Functional equipment may be sold to the general public and that which
cannot be sold or does not work is sent to a qualified vendor where it
is deconstructed into individual components and recycled.
HOW: To recycle compact fluorescent light bulbs, contact DES
via: http://www.des.umd.edu/
WHY: Purchasing compact fluorescent (CFL) light bulbs is an
easy way to positively impact the environment since each bulb
uses an average of 75% less energy and lasts up to ten times
longer than its incandescent alternative. Each CFL bulb contains about four milligrams of mercury, a poisonous heavy metal that is harmful to human health. If not properly recycled,
mercury can bioaccumulate in the environment, contaminating
the soil, plants, animals, people and causing irreparable damage
to the surrounding areas.
HOW: Reduce your total plastic bag consumption by carrying reusable bags
and using them for grocery shopping or taking food to-go from the campus
diners and convenience shops. Reuse your plastic bags as liners for your office
desk-side/personal bin or through upcycling for DIY projects. Plastic bag recycling bins can be found in Terp Zone in the Stamp Student Union as well as
every residential convenience store on campus (Commons, Leonardtown,
North Campus and 24 Shops). For more information, go here.
WHY: Because of the low cost and convenience of plastic, global manufacturing and use of plastic has increased exponentially over the past few decades.
Plastic products are one of the biggest contributors to marine degradation and
often harm sea animals that mistake the items floating on the surface for food.
However, plastic is a versatile material that can be recycled to make a variety of items such as clothes, carpet,
containers, bottles, plastic lumber, films, grocery bags, molding materials and lawn and garden products.
HOW: Place shredded paper in a tightly tied plastic bag and deposit in any campus recycling dumpster or bin.
WHY: The primary product used to make paper is wood pulp, so
recycling paper reduces the number of trees that are cut down to
manufacture the product. Although many paper companies own
land specifically for tree farming and replace cut trees with seedlings
for future use, tree growth is very slow. Manufacturing paper from
recycled paper fiber requires 60-70% less energy and 50% less water
than making new paper from virgin wood pulp.
HOW: Toner cartridges can be recycled through FM’s Recycling and
Solid Waste Unit. Email recycle@umd.edu to schedule a pick-up.
WHY: Inkjet or laser printers are found in almost every business, government agency, school, office and home. Most toner cartridges can be
refilled an average of 5-7 times, after which they can be refurbished or
remanufactured into recycled cartridges or other plastic-based products.
Updated May 2015