How To Recycle Less Common Items

Bulk Waste: Submit a work order to FMCO requesting pick up for any item that doesn't fit in the trash or recycling bin.

Electronic Waste: Computers and other electronics with circuit boards contain high levels of toxic heavy metals (e.g., lead, silver) that must be properly managed and recycled via EHS. EHS works with a third party company who takes care of reuse or recycle as much as possible of these materials. Tapes, CDs, floppy disks, USBs, etc., and medical equipment (if properly decontaminated) are also acceptable. Note: electronics and equipment in a laboratory setting need to be cleared by EHS with a decontamination form before they can be picked up.

• Locations serviced by WCM E&M: Submit a work order to WCM Facilities Management and Campus Operations to have electronics collected for recycling.
• Locations not serviced by WCM E&M: Contact EHS to arrange for the removal of electronics from your location. Provide location, contact information, and inventory of electronics.

Batteries: There are two drop off location on the main campus: Belfer Research Building by the entrance, just behing the turnstiles; 1300 York Avenue building in the LC loung area on the first floor, in front of the LC elevators. Note 1: for lithium batteries you'll need to submit a request to EHS for hazardouz material pick up. Note 2: rechargeable and button cell batteries need to have their extremities taped to avoid fire. 

Otherwise, you can submit a pickup request to EHS. Check out the EHS page for instructions. 

Cartridges & Toners:  Vendors such as HP, Xerox, Brother, and Canon have their own free take back programs. You can also bring your used cartridges and toners (any brand) to stores such as Staples and Best Buy.

Food waste: Food scrap drop off location throughout the city. The 24/7 Smart Composting Bins closest to WCM main campus are located at 66th St and 1st Ave (SE corner) or 71st St and 1st Ave (SW corner). You will recognize them as they are bright orange. You need to download the app in order to unlock them.

Recently, the city has started a new mandatory curbside composting program for residential buildings. WCM's student residences participate in the program. Read more about the program and locations of the compost bins.

Coffee pods: They cannot be recycled because they contain ground coffee. Moreover, they are made of mixed material (plastic body and aluminum top). In order to recycle it, you'd need to empty the cup and separate the top. But even then, because of the small size, it might fall through the cracks of the conveyor belts in recycling facilities and end up in landfills. Brands such as Keurig have their own recycling program and you can purchse the collection bins to send back. Nespresso also takes back its capsules for recycling. Check out their page (note that Nespresso pods are only automatically recycled through DSNY recycling and not through private haulers like ours).

For buildings serviced by the Department of Sanitation, check out their ”How to get rid of…” area on their website.

For other ways to minimize waste, check out TooGoodToGo and The Buy Nothing Project.