GET READY FOR OUR SPRING EVENTS! 

In collaboration with BU Sustainability for Earth Day 365, BU Information Security is excited to host the annual Spring Shred + Recycle Events on April 8th and 9th, 2025. Bring your sensitive documents and hard drives for shredding, along with any electronics and recyclables, and enjoy a cup of coffee while connecting with colleagues. Have questions about Earth Day 365 or keeping your BU account secure? Our Sustainability and Information Security teams will be on hand to help!

These events are open to all faculty, staff, and students to safely & securely dispose of documents – any and all paperwork, especially those papers with personal or sensitive information – and hard drives. You can also recycle batteries, lightbulbs, toner, cords, and electronics. Additional recycling opportunities for recycling textiles, books, and film plastics.

Clear out your office or dorm and get ready to visit us at:

Tuesday April, 8 2025 : BU Medical Campus Talbot Green, 715 Albany Street, from 10:00am-1:00pm, in front of the Talbot Building.

Wednesday April 9, 2025: Charles River Campus, Agganis Arena Parking Lot, 925 Commonwealth Ave (the parking lot is directly behind Agganis Arena, access. the lot via Buick Street or Harry Agganis Way), from 10:00am-1:00pm.

If you’re unsure of when you can dispose of BU documents, this is a good opportunity to familiarize yourself with the University’s Record Retention Policy.

Note: If you have a large amount, please coordinate directly with facilities to transport to the event. We do not arrange or pick up. Please reach out if you have a large/excessive amount of documents or recycles to arrange for a separate service via form at the bottom of the how to recycle page.

What can I bring:

  • Records, documents, paperwork
  • Hard drives. Bring your old laptop, desktop, mobile devices and we will make sure the hard drive is removed and shredded!
  • Old electronics
  • Electrical cords
  • Batteries
  • Lightbulbs
  • Toner cartridges
  • Textiles (Footwear, Clothing, Accessories, Linens, Etc.)
  • Books (Any and all types, including textbooks & academic journals)
  • Film plastic (clean grocery bags, bubble wrap, plastic wrap.) 

What NOT to bring: 

  • UPS batteries  
  • Smoke detectors 
  • Mercury/lead items from labs 
  • Customized batteries
  • Anything not listed above!
  • Things that traditionally go in the trash
  • Things that go in food waste bins on campus