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E-Waste:Recycling Electronics & Batteries

818The proper destruction of electronic material requires that it be sanitized, recycled, remarketed and/or disposed of in accordance with US Environmental Protection Agency, the US Departmental Defense, Virginia Information Technology Agency (VITA) and the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) waste management regulations.

E-Waste

It is extremely important to properly dispose of electronic waste (e-waste) to protect sensitive/important information and the environment. Hazardous materials such as lead, mercury, and hexavalent chromium are found in the circuit boards, batteries, and cathode ray tubes of most electronics. Disposing of your e-waste in the regular garbage could result in regulatory fines to you or the University. Electronics must be reused, recycled or disposed of in an appropriate landfill.

Examples of E-Waste

  • Calculators
  • Computer Monitors
  • Laptops/Desktop PC
  • Printers
  • Cellular Phones
  • PDAs
  • Telephones
  • Wireless Devices
  • Empty Printer/Toner Cartridges
  • Batteries
  • TV monitors
  • Cameras

Electronics Recycling

The ODU Recycling Department is opening up its doors to the campus community to help remove unwanted, outdated or broken electronic materials you may want to discard.

  • Electronics from Home - Submit all of your personal unwanted, outdated or broken electronic materials and equipment from your home that you'd like to discard.
  • Electronics from University - ITS performs a procedure that ensures all sensitive data has been removed from University computer equipment prior to disposal. This does not include any of your inventory tagged equipment*.
    • *Tagged equipment (that has a University ID tag number on it) must go through Procurement Services 757-683-4810.

Bring your electronic recyclables to 865 West 39th Street (located at the corner of 39th St. and Killam Ave) or contact us at 757-683-3005 for help.

Battery Recycling

The toxic heavy metals contained within batteries pose no real risk while in use, but can be of major concern when discarded with ordinary municipal solid waste.

ODU's Battery Recycling Program properly disposes of batteries for the campus community. This program is intended only for batteries used on campus.

Acceptable Batteries

Eligible recyclable batteries include:

  • Single Use Non-Rechargeable
  • Alkaline or Carbon Zinc Dry Cell (6V, 9V, C, D, AA, AAA, etc.)
  • Lithium/Lithium Ion
  • Mercury/Mercuric Oxide
  • Silver Oxide, Zinc Air Button
  • Sealed Lead Acid/Lead Gel
  • Button batteries
  • Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd, Ni-Cad)
  • Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH)

Wet cell batteries such as lead acid motor vehicle batteries are not included in this program but are recyclable.

If your battery isn't listed, contact Recycling staff for guidance.

Safety Guidelines

To guard against possible short circuiting, the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (established by battery manufacturers) recommends doing at least one of the following to prepare rechargeable batteries for recycling:

  • Discharge Cells: This should be done only by a knowledgeable engineer
    or technician.
  • Terminal Protection: If you cannot assure that the cells have been completely
    discharged, cover the terminals of each battery with non‐conductive tape.
  • Place in a Plastic Bag: Batteries may be placed separately in plastic bags so the
    terminals will not come in contact with other batteries or metal during storage
    or transport.
  • Package batteries so that terminals will not short‐circuit during storage or transport.
  • Single use, non‐rechargeables do not need their terminals taped.
  • Place leaking batteries into a sealed plastic zip‐lock bag to contain chemical contamination.

Drop-Off

  • Collection area is located at Facilities Management's Motor Pool (865 W 39th St).
  • Contact the Motor Pool Supervisor to arrange drop-off of the battery.
  • Please DO NOT leave batteries outside pending recycling.

Pick-Up

  • Departments can set up their own collection boxes.
  • When container is about 3/4 full, contact Recycling staff (3-3005) to schedule a pick-up or get information on where to place the container to be picked up.

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