Electronic Waste

Used Electronic equipment often contains lead and other heavy metals.  These toxic metals can enter the environment if the waste is not properly handled.   St. Lawrence University collects electronic waste generated on campus for recycling.

Electronic waste includes all devices which contain cathode ray tubes (CRT's) and electronic devices containing complex electronic circuitry, circuit boards, or signal processing capabilities for processing or displaying information.  Some examples include:

Computers (monitors and CPU’s)
Cell phones
Copy machines
Keyboards
Video Display Terminals (VDT’s)
Laptops
FAX machines
Printers
Portable electronic devices
Televisions

General Procedures

The Department of Information Technology Services (ITS), which manages the use and distribution of all computer-related equipment owned by the university, should attempt to minimize the electronic waste it generates by reusing electronic components to the greatest extent possible, or by donating any such equipment that remains in a useful condition to members of the greater university community. Any electronic wastes that cannot be reused or donated, and which must be discarded by the university, shall conform to the following procedures as a final disposal alternative.  This prevents the generation of electronic wastes classified as hazardous wastes.

DO NOT dispose of used electronic equipment in the dumpsters.

• In accordance with NYSDEC regulations, the university has submitted the appropriate “C7” notification to the DEC, to inform them that all electronic wastes generated by the university will be managed under the scrap metal exemption. By this notification, the university agrees to handle electronic wastes in a manner that recycles such waste products, thereby exempting generated electronic wastes from the hazardous waste regulations.

• Whenever ITS generates an electronic waste intended for disposal, it shall notify Facilities Operations at 5601 to transport the waste to storage. If a computer monitor or inventoried item is included within that waste stream, the equipment type/brand name, model number and serial number shall be noted by ITS.

• Facilities Operations will maintain electronic waste receptacles within its storage facility.

• Whenever receptacles are full, or once per semester, minimum, they will be removed by an appropriate contractor with proper manifest documentation and copies retained by the St. Lawrence University Environmental Health and Safety office.  The EHS Office will retain the recycling/disposal contractor.

Questions about electronic waste may be directed to Suna Stone-McMasters of the Environmental Health and Safety Office at 229-5105 or via email, smcmasters@stlawu.edu.

12/4/2008
This document is based upon the 2005 Hazardous Waste Management and Minimization Plan.

Last Updated 12/4/2008