Grafton Campus
Medford Campus |
Boston Campus
FAQs | What We Recycle | Computers | Fluorescent Bulbs | Projector Bulbs
For more information about recycling and other environmental issues on the Grafton Campus, contact Gretchen Kaufman at gretchen.kaufman@tufts.edu, or at 508-839-7918 x84913.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What kind's of material can I recycle in these bins?
NOT just bottles and cans! All clean glass, metal and plastic containers (number designation 1-7) can be put in the green bins. Food and drink containers must be rinsed clean or the load will be rejected.
What items should not be put in these bins?
No plastic wrap or plastic bags. No soiled food containers. No trash!
What should I do with returnables?
Clean returnables may be placed in these bins and will be handled by One Source employees. Separate collection of returnable items for rebate may be organized within your group or building for your own benefit (office party pool, local charity, Travis Fund). You will bear all responsibilities for such an activity.
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What types of paper can I recycle?
All paper off your desk, including all colors, all weights and all envelopes; Manila folders, Magazines, Newspapers, Phonebooks, even envelopes with windows.
How does the paper get from my desk to the bin?
Many people have small baskets at their desk to sort out recycled paper. It is your responsibility to empty that basket periodically into the main collection bin in the hallway or common area. One Source is only responsible for processing the main collection bins.
What do I do with cardboard?
Collapse boxes and put smaller pieces in the bin. Place larger pieces against the wall next to the paper bin and they will be picked up by One Source.
Why can't paper ream covers go in?
Most paper ream covers (including Great White 30% recycled) contain plastic to make them stronger. The plastic content gums up the recycling process and will cause rejection of the entire load.
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What happens to contaminated loads?
Too much trash mixed in with recycling can cause the whole load of recycling to be thrown away. While this rarely happens, please be mindful to "drop waste in the right place".
How do I get involved in environmental issues on campus?
Share your thoughts with a member of the Greening the Grafton Committee or volunteer to represent your section on the committee. For more information about recycling and other environmental issues on the Grafton Campus, contact Gretchen Kaufman at gretchen.kaufman@tufts.edu, or at 508-839-7918 x84913.
The following websites are very informative:
Tufts Climate Initiative (www.tufts.edu/tci)
Office of Sustainability (www.tufts.edu/programs/sustainability/)
The Tufts Institute of the Environment (www.tufts.edu/tie)
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GRAFTON CAMPUS RECYCLING PROGRAM DETAILS
Click here for more information on recycling in the hospital
| ITEM |
COLLECTION
LOCATION |
COLLECTION
RESPONSIBILITY |
VENDOR |
Paper
White & Colored Paper
Magazines & Glossy Paper
Newspaper
Envelopes
Cardboard & Boxboard
Hard & Soft Covered Books
Notebooks
Folders
Aseptic, Juice and Milk Cartons
(No need to remove staples, spirals or plastic wraps) |
Regional
collection stations |
One
Source
Individual
is responsible to put desk recycling in regional collection area
|
|
Cardboard
no pizza boxes please |
Regional
collection next to paper recycling bins - collapse box |
One
Source |
|
| Plastics
Click here for specifics on lab-plastics recycling
(No plastic bags) |
Regional
collection sites in every building - comingled with glass and metal |
One
Source |
|
| Glass
bottles
(remove caps) |
Regional
collection sites in every building - comingled with plastic and
metal |
One
Source |
|
| Cans
and plastic returnables
|
New
collection sites to be determined |
Old
Travis fund system currently not functioning - Students considering |
To
be arranged |
| Metal
cans
(must be washed) |
Regional
collection sites in every building - comingled with glass and plastic |
One
Source |
|
| Wood
pallets |
Hospital
loading dock Building 20 |
Receiving |
J&H
Trucking |
| Scrap
metal |
Building
18 parking lot |
Facilities |
Franks
rubbish - Reused |
| Construction
materials (most) |
At
job site |
Contractor
(not formalized) |
Contractor
arranges |
| Fluorescent
lamp glass and metal parts (Universal waste) |
2
x year scheduled collection - Bldg. 23 |
Facilities
and Health & Safety |
Contract
arr. by Health and Safety |
| Wood
chip bedding bags |
LA
hospital - Cardboard recycling |
One
Source |
Harveys |
| Carpet
squares |
As
needed |
Facilities |
Millikin |
| Furniture/cabinets |
Good
- Bldg. 23
Junk - Bldg. 18 |
Facilities & Purchasing |
Trade-in
with new purchases, or Franks rubbish
|
| Electronic
equipment |
As
needed
|
Purchasing |
Trade
- in |
Computer
parts
(Universal waste) |
2
x year scheduled collection - Bldg. 23 |
Facilities
and Health & Safety
|
Contract
arr. by Health and Safety |
| Dry
cell batteries |
Collection
buckets on campus
|
Individual
|
Medford
Facilities |
| Bedding
and animal waste, leaves |
LA
hospital dumpster |
Farm
and LAH |
Composted |
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Computers
Staff/Department Recycling | Students/ Non-Tufts | Donations | Sell
As newer and better technologies hit the market monthly, millions of computers are rapidly becoming obsolete. Electronics, especially computers, are a very problematic waste stream.
Computers pose an environmental threat because many of their components are hazardous. A typical monitor contains 4-5 pounds of lead.
Computers also contain mercury, cadmium, chromium, and a slew of other hazardous materials. Thus, these materials must be recovered and recycled or disposed of in safe manner. Some computers can be salvaged, refurbished and reused, either as whole or for parts.
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Tufts Staff & Faculty Recycling
sorry, we cannot recycle student computers. Students, click here
Before computers with a Tufts I.D. tag number can be picked up by Facilities for recycling, a "change of status" needs to be reported to Finance. Please report change of status by emailing the tag numbers to: edward.fanikos@tufts.edu. The email subject line should read "change of status".
Most computers at Tufts no longer have tags on them. In this case, you do not need to report a change of status.
Most Tufts computers are recycled for free however, charges may be applied to large scale clean-outs. To schedule a recycling pick up, please fill in a "no fee" service request on the Facilities website: http://www.tufts.edu/central/facilities
Tufts old computers are either reused internally or recycled domestically by Veolia Environmental Services. No computer equipment from Tufts is sent overseas.
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Students/Non-Tufts Computers
Sorry, Tufts Facilities Department can only recycle equipment owned by the university. Luckily, there are many computer end-of-life options for students and community members.
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Grafton Residents have curbside pick up in April and October. Contact the Sanitation Division for exact dates- 508/839-5335 ext. 180
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Westboro Residents should bring computer equipment to the dump (keep separate from household trash). Recycling is free to residents with a valid trash disposal sticker.
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Staples recycles computers for $10 per piece: 571 Boston Turnpike
Shrewsbury | 70 Worcester Providence Tpke Millbury
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The Toshiba trade in program provides you with a way to trade-in or recycle used, working, technology products in exchange for a refund by mail. If your item is no longer functioning, or has no trade-in value, it can be responsibly recycled for the cost of shipping.
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Apple offers free mail in recycling of any brand computer when you purchase any qualifying Apple computer or monitor.
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Dell offers free recycling of Dell products.
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Cash for Computers
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Sell computers, cellular phones, cameras and audio equipment on eBay
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Facebook users can now sell things via the Facebook Marketplace.
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Computer Donations
Before donating your computer, check out Tech Soup’s tips for donation.
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Youth Build Boston’s wish list includes computers. Call or email to arrange logistics. Tel: 617.445.8887 Fax: 617.427.3950
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TecsChange is a volunteer-led nonprofit organization that offers computer courses to organizers and activists; provides computer equipment, training and technical support to grassroots groups; offers YouthTech program on technology and media to teens; and arranges and presents speakers and forums on technology and social change. Call before dropping off to be sure they will accept your model. 83 Highland Street, Roxbury MA 617.442-4456.
Learn more about Electronics Recycling
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Fluorescent Bulbs and Tubes
Fluorescent light bulbs and tubes contain a small amount of mercury. Because of the high toxicity of mercury, The EPA has set regulations on the disposal of fluorescents. All Tufts fluorescent bulbs and tubes are recycled.
|
We strongly support the use of compact fluorescent bulbs and tubes because they are much more energy efficient than regular bulbs.
Although they have mercury in them, they actually help reduce more mercury emissions from power plants. Why?
A substantial part of the electricity in MA is made by burning coal. Coal naturally contains mercury that is released when burned. Because fluorescent lamps use so much less electricity, the mercury that is in them is actually less than what would have been released into the air at the coal power plant, if regular bulbs had been used.
Learn more about energy efficiency, climate change and what Tufts is doing: www.tufts.edu/tci
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Bulbs from Projectors
We recycle high pressure mercury arc lamps used in projectors. E-mail us, if you (recycle@ tufts.edu) want us to pick up a bulb form your office.
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