University of Washington, Seattle
OP-20: Electronic Waste Recycling Program

At the UW, electronics recycling includes computers, monitors, and peripherals. Electronics in working and non-working condition that are no longer needed by a department are transferred to UW Surplus for resale or proper recycling. All electronics that cannot be resold are recycled by the University’s electronics vendor, Total Reclaim, a local electronics recycler that recently successfully completed the rigorous process of becoming an ISO 14001:2004 certified organization. In fact Total Reclaim has a long-established track record of sound environmental management of electronic waste. In 2003, Total Reclaim became an original signatory of the Basil Action Network’s Electronic Recycler's Pledge of True Stewardship (www.ban.org). BAN is a not-for-profit organization that works to prevent the export of hazardous waste and toxic chemicals to developing countries. In 2009, Total Reclaim was certified by a third party auditor as a Preferred Processor of Electronics for the E-Cycle Washington electronics recycling program (www.ecyclewashington.org). Total Reclaim currently processes tens of millions of pounds of unwanted electronics each year for this program.

All items purchased with University monies or given to the University that are no longer needed by a department whether they are in working or non-working condition, must be transferred to UW Surplus for resale, recycling, or disposal. UW Surplus is a self-sustaining department. It receives no direct state funding and must generate revenue to cover all costs. UW Surplus revenue is generated through sales of items transferred from departments.

SCRAM: Student Moveout is a program run by UW Recycling at the end of each academic year that captures unwanted materials from approximately 5,000 students who are moving out of the residence halls. In 2012, electronics were accepted at the nine SCRAM sites and 1 ton was collected and donated to a local recycling vendor.