Special Items

Recycling at Bucknell

Personal Computers: Just bought a new computer? Now wondering what to do with the old one? Do not throw it out. Recycle your old electronic equipment, or give it to someone that will recover it repair it and reuse it. (back)

Bucknell Computers: Bucknell recycles university electronic equipment through The Federal Prison Industries Inc. (UNICOR) Recycling Group at Lewisburg Prison where the components are reused as much as possible. UNICOR will receive electronic equipment at no cost (including monitors) and recycle as much as possible and properly dispose the rest. Lewisburg Prison does have a permit for accepting electronic waste and the MOU transfers ownership for purposes of any further hazardous waste disposal. (back)

Ink Jet Cartridges: Most Bucknell printer cartridges (HP, Dell, etc) can be recycled and many black ink cartridges will generate cash in return. The Environmental Center collects printer cartridges from Bucknell printers.  They should be placed back into the box that your replacement toner came in.  You can put them back into the plastic bag also but, that isn't required since the printer cartridges are typically sealed better and do not have toner leaking from them.  Personal Ink cartridges are collected by the Student Environmental Club and Procurement Services Office and collection locations are placed throughout campus.(back)

Bucknell Toner Cartridges: All cartridges will continue to be picked up via campus mail.  The cartridges will be stored at the production center until Facilities crew delivers them to the Environmental Center.  Students separate various types toner cartridges for recycling.   Black & white, HP cartridges go to a recycler from State College.  Color, HP cartridges go back to HP for recycling.  Other cartridges go to Unicor for recycling.  The cartridges should be placed in plastic bags to prevent ink spills.  (back)

Copy Machine Cartridges: Bucknell copy machine cartridges (Canon) are sent to Environmental Center where they are packaged for UNICOR Lewisburg Prison for recycling. Older machine drums have a contaminant in them and they are disposed as Hazwaste. The cartridges should be placed in plastic bags to prevent ink spills.  All boxes should be placed in campus mail and labeled: c/o Environmental Club. (back)

Yard Waste/Trees: All Landscaping waste generated on Campus is placed at a site on West Campus where a Tub grinder mulches the debris. The debris is then placed in windrows and rotated periodically where it partially decomposes. This composting process generates a very fertile top dressing for grounds on campus or it’s mixed with other soil for fill material. (back)

Food: Dining services has a process that reduces the liquids from the food waste. Currently the food waste is disposed. Bucknell is studying the feasibility of adding a food composting process that will recycle this food waste. (back)

Rubber: Tires are taken to Lycoming Landfill where they are collected and then sent to a recycle vendor. (back)

Solvents: Solvents for parts washer are in a self-contained tub and a company cleans and recycles the spent solvents. (back)

Oil: Used motor and hydraulic oils are picked up by several local vendors and they mix with fuel oil for heat or recycle. (back)

Antifreeze: Used antifreeze is collected and recycled by a vendor. (back)

Batteries: Used car batteries are taken to NAPA for recycling. (back)

Furniture: Bucknell Physical Plant Warehouse collects used Bucknell furniture. Reusable furniture is stored in the warehouse for possible reuse within the university. Excess used furniture is recycled to Bethesda Day Treatment Center, Milton, Food for the Poor, Florida for third world countries, and several local non-profit organizations. (back)