Medical Waste Reduction
Non-regulated waste is separated at the source from regulated medical waste collection containers in order to conserve resources needed to treat regulated waste. This improves the University of Rochester’s capacity to treated regulated waste and saves money.
Interdepartment Envelope Storage
Departments can call mail services for used but serviceable envelopes instead of ordering new.
Autoclave
The Medical Center treats their regulated medical waste using an autoclave. Rather than incinerating it, an autoclave uses steam, pressure and time to kill pathogens before the waste is ground up and disposed of.
Battery Drop-Off Recycling
Many batteries (excluding alkaline) contain regulated levels of cadmium, lead, mercury, silver or other hazardous materials. These are collected for recycling.
Carpet Reclamation Program
Carpet reclamation recovers nylon from broadloom carpet and uses it to make new engineered resins.
Computer and Electronics Recycling
A proactive approach to the management of computer solid wastes. The University of Rochester partners with an electronics recycling vendor to dispose of unwanted electronic equipment.
E Cycle Day
E Cycle Day is the annual electronics collection and recycling event hosted by University Facilities and Services. Old, broken, and unwanted electronic equipment such as cell phones, computers, chargers, and other items are collected and recycled safely. Over 25,000 lbs. of electronic equipment is sent for recycling annually.
Medical Center Single-Use Item Pre-Processing
This is a hospital program that entails third party reprocessing and certification of single-use items that would otherwise be thrown away. This saves resources and money.
Pallet Recycling
Damaged pallets are ground up for landscape mulch and usable pallets are redistributed.
Move-Out Cleanout
This program provides convenient ways for students to donate and recycle clothing, shoes, food, and electronics at the end of the academic year. Donation sites are placed at dormitories and other central locations. Donated items are sent to local charities.
Shred Fest
The Shred Fest is the annual personal document secure shredding event hosted by University Facilities and Services. Open to University students, staff, and faculty, participants are invited to drop off unwanted personal documents from home such as files, folders, notebooks, and bills, to be shredded and recycled.
Sustainability and Recycling Coordinator
Amy Kadrie is the University of Rochester’s Sustainability and Recycling Coordinator. Amy has a B.S. in Environmental Science from Syracuse University. Prior to joining the University of Rochester, she was a compliance officer/environmental specialist with the North Carolina Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources. Amy may be contacted by cell at 585.362.5739 or by email at amy.kadrie@rochester.edu.
Recycle Undeliverable Bulk Mail
All undeliverable third class mail addressed to former students or employees is recycled.
Recyclemania
The University participates in Recyclemania, an annual competition between hundreds of colleges and universities across North America. RecycleMania lasts a period of ten weeks, and evaluates different categories of waste minimization and recycling such as paper, corrugated cardboard, per capita waste, and overall best recycling rate.
University Waste Minimization Steering Committee
This is a group that meets periodically to discuss waste-related issues. Members include Medical Center and River Campus Facilities and Services staff, Purchasing, Dining Services, Environmental Health and Safety. All are welcome.
Recycling of Inkjet Cartridges
Used inkjet and toner cartridges can be mailed to University Mail Services for recycling. Place your used cartridge in its original or replacement package and mail to University Mail Services, PO Box 270001. For every laser cartridge returned 1/2 gallon of oil is conserved.
Solid Waste Tracking
Solid waste shipped to our hauler from each location (recycling as well as disposable waste) is tracked. Knowing how much waste we generate and where allows us to make good decisions regarding the types and number of collection containers needed, to schedule pickups efficiently and trend our waste generation activities.
Solid Waste Recycling
Categories include paper, cardboard, bottles, cans. Each area manager and their staff in conjunction with our waste hauler manage this process for their areas. We receive estimates of how much of each type is recycled from our hauler.