![\"Recycling](\"\/sustainability\/files\/2021\/04\/Kaity-recycling-426x636.jpg\")
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Our campuses collect recyclables through a mixed-recycling system. <\/strong><\/p>\n Mixed Recycling Sign<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Plastic jars, bottles, jugs and tubs, paper and cardboard, glass bottles and jars, and metal food and beverage cans are all collected in the same bin.<\/p>\n Still have separate cans and bottles or paper bins in your space? Let us know by emailing the Zero Waste Manager<\/a>.<\/p>\n Have a question about if an item is recyclable or not? Use RecycleSmartMA’s<\/a> “Recyclopedia” tool to look it up!<\/p>\n PLA Plastic and compostable products are not<\/strong> recyclable. These products \u2014 made from renewable resources such as corn, potatoes, and sugar \u2014 are designed to be processed with food waste and are labeled “compostable” or “biodegradable.”<\/p>\n Dining Services has replaced many of its oil-based plastic containers with compostable ones. However, PLA Plastic is NOT<\/strong> able to be composted in BU’s Food Waste bins. Place these items in the trash.<\/p>\n To request a bulk pickup of your recyclable foam, email the Zero Waste Manager<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n If battery buckets in your area are full and a pickup is required, please call Environmental Health & Safety at 617-353-4094 (CRC and Fenway) or 617-638-8832 (BUMC).<\/p>\n If your department\/office would like to host battery recycling collection, please contact Environmental Health & Safety<\/a>.<\/p>\n To recycle other types of batteries, such as lead acid, or to properly dispose of other hazardous materials, please contact your Area Manager<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Large electronics<\/strong> (e.g., computers, printers): On the Charles River and Fenway Campuses, contact your Area Manager<\/a> to schedule a pickup. If you have more than 15 computers or large electronics to recycle, please submit an FSR to BU Trucking and Grounds to schedule a pickup. On the Medical Campus, contact BUMC IT through their recycling pick up request<\/a>. If your equipment is too large to be taken by IT, you can submit a work order in CAMMS<\/a> to have it picked up by BUMC Facilities.<\/p>\n Small electronics<\/strong> (e.g., headphones, light bulbs, mercury-containing devices such as thermostats and thermometers): On the Charles River and Fenway Campuses, contact your Area Manager<\/a>. On the Medical Campus, contact Environmental Health & Safety<\/a>. Please be careful when handling some of these items as they may contain hazardous materials.<\/p>\n Cell phones<\/strong>: On the Charles River and Fenway Campuses, deliver to the IT Help Center at 179 Amory Street, or Recycling at 120 Ashford Street, Room 218. On the Medical Campus, contact Environmental Health & Safety<\/a> to get a prepaid cell phone recycling bag.<\/p>\n Before donating or recycling personal electronics, remove all personal data\/information as needed<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div>\nQuick Tips<\/h3>\n
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Keep an eye out for compostable plastics.<\/h3>\n
The following items can be recycled when collected separately:<\/h3>\n
Foam<\/h4>
\nRecyclable, dense, white polystyrene foam (styrofoam) will have a #6 \u2678 on it, is easily snapped, and will not bend. One common example is lab supply shipping coolers. Non-recyclable foam includes colored foam, ALL types of packing peanuts, soft\/flexible foams, or foam that \u201cbounces back.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nBatteries<\/h4>
\nBatteries are manufactured with materials that are potentially harmful to human health and the environment. Some of these materials are non-renewable resources like heavy metals, which can be reused again and again. For these reasons, proper recycling is important. At BU, alkaline\/nicad and lithium batteries must be collected separately from normal waste. Use BU Maps<\/a> to navigate to your nearest drop off location: just choose which campus you’re on and select “Sustainability” from the menu options.<\/p>\n
\nElectronics<\/h4>
\nWhen you can’t repair or refurbish your electronics, recycle them. Recycling electronics conserves natural resources, prevents hazardous waste from entering landfills, and results in lower carbon emissions during the manufacturing of new products.<\/p>\n
\nInk and Toner Cartridges<\/h4>
\nBU partners with WB Mason on an ink and toner recycling program. To request delivery of a new collection box, or request pickup of a full box, please complete this request form.