Electronic Waste (e-waste) is part of the Universal Waste (UW) category and is generated by almost everyone.  E-waste is also found in both the household and office environments.

UW is a hazardous waste that is widely generated in a variety of settings, is generated by another community, and is present in significant volumes in nonhazardous management systems.  UW is regulated by 40 CFR Part 273 (EPA) and Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Chapter 851, Section 3A.

Items such as computer monitors become out of date quickly and need to be replaced.  The typical computer or monitor has toxic components and may contain between 5-8 lbs of lead, along with heavy metals such as cadmium, mercury, and arsenic. 

Disposal of computers is subject to the Maine Hazardous Waste Regulations.  If electronic waste is not reused, it must be recycled.  Bates EHS works with licensed companies to reuse or recycle electronic waste generated by the Bates community. 

Electronic waste is divided into the following categories:

• Devices other than Monitors and Televisions: this includes CPUs, UPSs, keyboards, speakers, external hard drives, obsolete lab equipment, and anything with a circuit board
• Flat Panel Displays
• Monitors with Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs)
• Televisions with CRTs
• Batteries, except Lead Acid

Recycling electronic waste occurs in the following ways:

• ILS Installed Equipment: If Bates Network and Infrastructure Services installed your technology equipment and/or it has a Bates asset tag, it will be removed when your equipment has reached it’s lifespan and is scheduled to be replaced.
• Legacy Equipment: If you are in possession of electronic equipment that is left from a previous occupant, obsolete, or does not have a asset tag, contact Bates EHS to setup a time and place for removal.

Bates College EHS has provided battery recycling containers at six locations across campus.  Those locations are:

1. Carnegie Science –                            Main Office (Room 109)
2. Commons –                                        Milt’s Lounge
3. Cutten Maintenance Center –      Room 125
4. Kalperis Hall –                                   Main Lobby by Franklin Street
5. Ladd Library –                                   Main Entry by Circulation Desk
6. Pettingill Hall –                                  Foyer on 1st Floor

Large batteries other than alkaline will be picked upon request.