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FutureVU: Sustainability

FutureVU: Sustainability

FAQ

Recycling

Vanderbilt University Campus

For answers to our most frequently asked questions about recycling on campus, please refer to the Campus Recycling page.  Still looking for an answer?  Contact Vanderbilt’s Campus Recycling Manager.

1.  Where can I recycle small batteries?

Small batteries can be recycled by taking them to the following locations:

  • Main desks of Commons Center, Sarratt Student Center, Kissam Center, and Wyatt center;
  • Library entrances at Heard and Peabody Libraries;
  • Information desks at Branscomb Quad, Carmichael Towers East, Carmichael Towers West, Hank Ingram, Lewis House, and Vanderbilt Barnard; and
  • HR Express/Commodore Concierge locations in Medical Center North and Children’s Hospital.

Small batteries include normal alkaline batteries such as AA, AAA, C, D, etc. as well as cell phone, laptop, pager, and radio batteries. Specific types of allowable batteries are: lead-acid, alkaline, Ni-cad, zinc, lithium, and mercury. Rechargeable batteries are okay to recycle, too. If recycling a rechargeable battery, please place tape over the ends. Large batteries from university-owned equipment (towmotors, vehicles, etc.) are considered regulated waste and should be collected by submitting a Waste Collection Form through Vanderbilt’s normal waste collection process.

Visit the battery recycling page for more information.

2.  How can I recycle my ink/toner cartridges?and cell phones?

VU recycles ink cartridges in partnership with groups that help children and faculty/staff experiencing hardship at Vanderbilt. For more information about this program, please visit the Ink and Toner Cartridge Recycling page.

3. How do I recycle my electronics?

Electronics recycling includes the recycling of all surplus electronic items such as desktops, laptops, services, printers, scanners, projectors, all computer peripherals (keyboards, mice, speakers, cameras, and cords), Audio-Visual Equipment, phones, and electronic storage media (tapes, CDs, hard drives, and flash drives). All items are accepted regardless of functionality, age, or condition. Hard drives should be cleaned of all personal and confidential information prior to requesting that they be collected for recycling. Vanderbilt IT provides Scrubbing Tools to assist with this process. Follow the process below to recycle your electronics:

  1. If the electronics are a tracked asset/capital equipment (initial purchase value of $5,000 or more), a must be completed by the department with the electronics. Once the Property Transmittal Form has been completed and returned by the VU Finance or Contract Grant Accounting Office with approval OR if the electronics are not a tracked asset, proceed to Step 2.
  2. If the electronics are not a tracked asset OR after the Property Transmittal Form has been approved by VU Finance, call Plant Operations at 615-343-9675 or submit a work request through ReADY using the Recycling/Waste Services tile to request a collection of electronic for recycling. All electronics recycling collections are completed at no cost.

Visit the electronics recycling page for more information.

Energy

For answers to our most frequently asked questions about energy on campus, please refer to the FutureVU’s Energy page, the ThinkOne energy conservation website, and Frequently Asked Questions about the VU Power Plant. Still looking for an answer? Contact Vanderbilt’s Sustainability and Environmental Management Office (SEMO).

Water

For answers to our most frequently asked questions about water on campus, please refer to the FutureVU’s Water page.  Still looking for an answer? Contact Vanderbilt’s FutureVU Sustainabiltiy team.