Cal Poly Humboldt
OP-20: Electronic Waste Recycling Program

The Information Technology Consultants (ITC) team is responsible for reassigning and refurbishing used electronics on campus. Staff members responsible for handling used electronics have undergone training (through Environmental Health & Safety) on the safe handling of universal and electronic waste. E-waste destined for recycling is stored in a locked and alarmed warehouse until ready to be shipped to ECS Refining, a company that has e-Stewards and R2 certifications. HSU works with ECS Refining (www.ecsrefining.com) to recycle and re-purpose electronic waste whenever possible. Plant Operations also collects electronic waste directly from campus departments, and stores re-useable equipment for later reuse on campus or for distribution via public agency giveaways or general public auction. ECS Refining also screens electronic waste they receive from HSU for re-purposing.

University departments must first complete a Property Management Transaction Form (http://humboldt.edu/forms/sites/forms/files/property_management_transaction.pdf) for electronics that are campus property. The IT department and RESNET refurbish electronics utilizing working components from electronic waste. IT also securely erases hard drives (as opposed to shredding hard drives) when possible on outdated yet functioning computers so that these can be re-used elsewhere. Asset Management then surveys the electronics in question and confirms the proper disposition of the item. Plant Operations then collects the items and stores it for recycling or for re-use. A Survey Committee meets two to three times a semester to review the process, discuss the items for pickup and determine their appropriate disposition.

HSU has a campus-wide electronic waste recycling program that is managed through the Office of Sustainability and based out of Plant Operations. Plant Operations services eight electronic waste collection bins year round, located in high traffic areas around campus for student generated e-waste and universal waste. Some of these bins (known as E-Cyclers) have different openings for ink cartridges, batteries, CFLs, and electronics. Larger electronics can be taken directly to Plant Operations for recycling. Each year two free e-waste collection events are held on campus, at which students can drop off used electronics for recycling/reuse. Furthermore, during the housing department's move-out week students can drop off used electronics at one of three Donation Stations for recycling/reuse. Student-generated e-waste is recycled or sent for reuse via ECS Refining or donations to local charities.