Recycling
Other Recyclable Materials
Ink Jet and Toner Cartridges
You can mail ink jet and toner cartridges to University Mail Services. Please place in original or replacement packaging and mail to PO Box 270001.
On River Campus, you can drop off toner cartridges at:
- Campus Mail Center (at the counter)
- Wilson Commons: Campus Information Center
- Any residential life office:
- Quad (Hoeing 100)
- Susan B. Anthony (Morgan 104)
- Hill Court (Gale 112)
- Towers (Anderson 130
At the Medical Center, you can drop-off toner cartridges at:
- Medical Center Post Office
- Saunders Research Building vending machine area (1.104)
Batteries
The University recycles rechargeable batteries (not alkaline) in accordance with both Monroe County Environmental Services and NYSDEC guidelines. Contact the Environmental Compliance Unit at 275-2056 if your area is interested in arranging a battery collection location.
On River Campus, drop off batteries at:
- Wilson Commons (Campus Information Center)
At the Medical Center, drop off batteries at:
- Photo Illustration
- Engineering Stores
- Parking Garage office
- School Of Medicine and Dentistry Environmental Services Office, G-6305 (Mon-Fri 8am-4pm)
Fluorescent Lamps, Used Oil, Solvent Waste Distillation
To recycle these materials, obtain a list of available free chemicals, or to dispose of any hazardous wastes, please contact the Environmental Compliance Unit at 275-2056.
Athletic Shoes
Worn out or unwanted sneakers are collected for Nike's Reuse-A-Shoe program. Nike collects shoes and recycles them into athletic fields. If you are interested in holding a special collection in your area, please contact Amy Kadrie, Sustainability Coordinator, by calling (585)362-5739 or by emailing akadrie@facilities.rochester.edu.
On River Campus, drop off sneakers at:
- Goergen Athletic Center- Alumni Locker Rooms
At the Medical Center, drop off sneakers at:
- Flaum Atrium by G-9600A
- URMC Fitness Center in College Town
Electronics
Please see the University IT Equipment Recovery webpage for information about pick-up/drop-off options and what's eligible for recycling.
Students can bring electronics that store data (e.g. laptops, tablets, USB drives, hard drives, etc.) to the UR Tech Store in Rush Rhees Library. All other electronics devices can be labeled “RECYCLE” and brought to the Sage and Gale loading docks to be recycled.
The University holds an annual E-Cycle Day, allowing the University community to recycle personal electronics. See the results of the 2022 E-Cycle event.
Document Shredding
Please contact the Customer Service Center at 273-4567 to schedule a service request.
Note: Shred Fest, an annual event allowing for destruction of personal paper documents, is held in the summer. See the results of the 2022 Shred Fest event.
Name Plates
Please mail them to the Sign Shop, Box 623. Questions or concerns can be directed to Anthony Redden.
Scrap Metal, Construction Material, Office Furniture, Plastic or Metal Drums and Buckets, or Other
If you would like information on recycling these materials, please contact:
Amy Kadrie
Sustainability Coordinator
(585) 362-5739
akadrie@facilities.rochester.edu
Plastic Bags
Plastic bags should never be placed in a regular recycle bin and must be collected through a specialized collection program.
Acceptable bags include shopping and grocery bags (such as produce bags, bread bags, cereal box liners, or stretch/shrink wrap), zip-type bags (please remove the slide mechanism), mail packages (bubble wrap or plastic envelopes), and more (from dry cleaning bags to deflated air pillows).
On River Campus, you can drop off plastic bags at:
- the kiosk at Wilson Commons (Hirst Lounge)
Recycling Posters
Download and print these posters for your classroom, conference room, breakroom, dorm, or office.
For more information about recycling at the University of Rochester, contact:
Phil Piedmont
Waste Minimization Specialist
(585) 690-9119
ppiedmon@facilities.rochester.edu