Western Washington University
OP-20: Electronic Waste Recycling Program

WWU has an electronic waste program on campus as required by the WA State Department of Ecology. The process for recycling or disposing of unneeded surplus university equipment is described on the Equipment Inventory website under the FAQ’s. Equipment Inventory and EHS work together in preparing electronic waste for disposal. The two major outlets that Western uses for recycling electronic waste responsibly are: 1. Apple: Apple has a program that funds the electronic recycling and associated shipping costs for K-12 and Higher Ed institutions. The waste is shipped to ECS Refining in Santa Clara, CA. WWU conducted a review of ECS Refining recycling practices and found them to be a satisfactory outlet for electronics recycling. Apple and ECS Refining collectively ensure that retired equipment processed through their program is done so in an environmentally responsible manner and domestically in the United States. 2. Total Reclaim: Total Reclaim is a subsidiary of Ecolights NW who holds the WA State Contract for Electronics and Lighting Recycling Services. The process by which the WA State Contract for Electronics and Lighting Recycling Services is awarded involves an extensive review and critique of end disposal facilities. Under the terms of this contract, Ecolights shall not export hazardous materials from developed to developing countries for the purposes of landfill or incineration disposal.

The WWU EHS office does not have the personnel or funding to handle student or personal electronic waste. The Waste Disposal Matrix on the EHS website has some links to ReLectronics and Whatcom County’s Recycling Webpage. These two links contain information for individuals who would like to dispose of personal electronic waste responsibly. Links: https://fortress.wa.gov/ga/apps/ContractSearch/ContractSummary.aspx?c=09108 http://www.wwu.edu/ehs/EHS_files/forms/Waste%20Disposal%20Matrix%2004-08-10.pdf http://www.wwu.edu/fs/Stores/cs_ei.shtml