Recycling and Waste Management

All used batteries are hazardous waste. Toxic heavy metals and corrosive properties of batteries make them unsuitable for disposal in the municipal trash because they can contaminate surface and ground water. Used batteries generated at UCSD are collected by the EH&S Environmental Management Facility for recycling or disposal as hazardous waste.

• Battery disposal for hazardous waste generators e.g. labs who have a WGN (waste generator number)
• Battery disposal for groups without a WGN and who do not routinely generate hazardous waste e.g. administrative support staff

Find out more information on battery disposal at UCSD

There are three easy ways to dispose of unwanted cell phones:

1. Dispose of them in one of the collection bins set up on campus. They are located at:

• Price Center Bookstore
• College Residential Life Offices

2. For collection via Campus Mail, address the package to "Cell Phone" at Mail Code 0958.

3. Return unwanted cell phones to the service provider. California law ^[PDF] requires vendors to accept their returned products.

E-waste is considered hazardous waste and must be properly disposed of by EH&S.

These include broken, non-inventoried (no UCID number), small electronic devices, and battery containing equipment such as:

• TVs and monitors
• Computers, keyboards, mice, printers, and scanners
• Telephones, cell phones, and answering machines
• Radios, stereo equipment, tape players, and recorders
• VCRs, CD players
• Battery-containing devices (calculators, timers, flashlights, etc.)
• Some appliances, including microwaves, air conditioners, and furnaces
• Thermostats, relays, switches, and gauges

Inventoried equipment (equipment with a UCID number) must go out through Surplus Sales. See How to Send Equipment to Surplus Sales.

How to Dispose of Unwanted Electronic Devices:

1. If the equipment is clear of radiation and/or ethidium bromide contamination, clean and decontaminate it. Scrub visible spill/chemical remnants with warm soapy water and wipe all surfaces with a freshly made 10% bleach solution.
2. Contact the Safety Office to green tag your computer/e-waste to indicate it is hazard free.
   For School of Biological Sciences labs ONLY. All others, please contact EH&S for assistance.
3. Using the Online Waste Tag Program (OTP), create a EH&S hazardous waste tag (select “Universal Waste” and ”Electronic Waste (Non Surplus)”), tag it, and submit a hazardous waste pick-up request.

For more information, contact the EH&S Environmental Management Facility at (858) 534-2753.

• If you are a campus hazardous waste generator and have a Waste Generator Number (WGN):  
  • Package the bulbs in a sturdy bag or container large enough to enclose the waste (so the waste is not sticking out the top or sides of the container).
  • Keep the container closed when waste is not being added.
  • Attach a completed hazardous waste tag to the container at the time you begin accumulating waste.
  • Request a hazardous waste collection 

• If you are not a hazardous waste generator and do not have a WGN:
  • Contact Facilities Management to have light fixtures replaced in campus facilities.
  • Facilities Management will handle proper disposal of discarded bulbs.

Recycle your empty toner cartridge:

1. Place the empty toner cartridge in a box.
2. Label the box: Toner Recycle.
3. Send an e-mail to Material Support Services ([email protected]) with the following information:
   • Subject: Toner Recycle
   • Your name
   • Pickup location
   • Quantity
   • Index number 
     • Note: There is no charge for the pick up of the toner; it is used for tracking purposes.
4. A driver will pick up the empty toner cartridge within 24 to 48 hours after you've placed the request.