OSU Recycles - Behind-the-Scenes
Facilities Management, Environmental Health & Safety, and Transportation Services repurpose, reuse, and recycle a lot of used or discarded OSU property “behind the scenes” – in other words, most of us don’t even realize all these items are being recycled.
Read on to determine if you have a role in recycling any of these materials.
Auto Batteries
- Facilities Management and Transportation Services collect used auto batteries for recycling.
Fluorescent Light Bulbs/Tubes
- Facilities Management and Res Life maintenance personnel recycle used mercury-containing light bulbs with Universal Recycling Technologies using the WasteSecure mail-back program. Contact OSU Sustainability for more information.
HFCs (refrigerants)
- Refrigerants are carefully removed from appliances and recycled.
Lab Chemicals
- Environmental Health & Safety collects and recycles discarded lab chemicals.
- Generators should complete a Chemical Removal Request Form in order to have the chemicals removed.
- Print and mail or scan and email forms, attn.: EH&S, 002 University Health Services.
Lab Glass
- Environmental Health & Safety recycles glass generated through the use and recycling of discarded chemicals.
Organic Material
- Some produce scraps from dining services, manure from Rodeo Club, pet bedding from Vet Med, and landscape waste are kept for local farmers to use in composting.
Rechargeable Batteries
- Generators should complete a Chemical Removal Request Form.
- Print and mail or scan and email forms, attn.: EH&S, 002 University Health Services.
- Tape terminal ends; store in non-metal container until picked up by EHS.
Scrap Metal
- Complete a work order through the customer portal to arrange for scrap metal to be picked up.
- Scrap metal revenue goes toward the purchase of new tools and equipment.
- There is no charge for this service.
Tires
- Facilities Management and Transportation Services collect motor vehicle tires for recycling.
Used Electronics
- Used electronics belonging to OSU are placed in Surplus and then sold at auction.
- Items not sold at auction are recycled by a certified e-waste recycler.
- Note: Personal electronics can be taken to OrangeTech to be recycled.
Used Cooking Oil
- Cooking oil, fat, and grease are collected from dining service areas for rendering.
Used Motor Oil
- Facilities Management and Transportation Services (OSU Motor Pool at Farm & Western Roads) collect motor oil for recycling.
Wooden Pallets
- Facilities Management collects wood pallets for recycling.
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Vendor does not pay for blue or off-size pallets but does recycle them.
Looking to recycle something else? Check OSU Sustainability’s Other Recycling webpage for more information.