University of Illinois Chicago
OP-20: Electronic Waste Recycling Program

The University of Illinois complies with state law, which requires responsible recycling of electronic waste and the elimination of electronic data from scrapped items and environmentally sound disposition practices. As such, the University disposes of electronic scrap equipment through State of Illinois contracted service providers to ensure recycling of usable items and environmentally responsible disposition of unusable items.

All electronic equipment such as computers, printers, monitors, and televisions are considered state property and managed under the University’s Property Accounting program. Since 2008, the University has disposed of electronic devices through an electronics recycler. Any equipment that is no longer needed is reported on a special form to the Office of Business and Financial Services, University Property Accounting and Reporting. Once they have processed the form, units must be removed intact to the surplus warehouse. This material is then managed through the University of Illinois central administration in compliance with all state mandated requirements for disposal of electronics. The University of Illinois complies with state law, which requires elimination of electronic data from scrapped items and environmentally sound disposition practices. As such, the University disposes of electronic scrap equipment through State of Illinois contracted service providers to ensure recycling of usable items and environmentally responsible disposition of unusable items. Additionally, UIC has a history of organizing a large scale event titled "the Great Stuff eXchange" in which departments and students can drop off/pick up office supplies/electronic items at no cost.

UIC does not have a formal electronic waste recycling for students because of the relatively low amount of student-generated materials. However, students are welcome to participate in the aforementioned Great Stuff eXchange as the event involves the collaboration of student groups as well as university departments. UIC does have collection bins available to students for battery and cell phone recycling. Nearly all batteries are accepted, including dry cell (alkaline, non-rechargeable) batteries and rechargeable batteries such as nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride, lithium ion, and small sealed lead (< 2 lb), as well as cell phones. The dry cell batteries are then collected through the City of Chicago’s battery recycling program. Additionally, students may recycle Apple laptops through the campus book store.