Recyclable Materials

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Clothing
All unwanted clothing should be dropped off at the college's Recycling Center located at 809 College Street. Wearable clothing will be placed on the Reuse Trailer. Unwearable clothing will be recycled through the Addison County Community Action Group.

Faculty and staff should call the Addison County Transfer Station at 388-2333 for local options on donating unwanted clothing.

Computers and televisions
Computers and televisions should be taken to the Recycling Center for proper disposal. These items can contain lead and are ban from landfilling. Computers and televisions are sent to Good Points Recycling, Inc located in Middlebury. Items are evaluated for reuse. Items that are not reusable will be recycled.

Computer discs and CDs
Computer discs and cds are sent out for recycling. Simply place them in an intercampus envelope and send to the Recycling Center.

Office Supplies
Unwanted new and used office supplies can be sent to the Recycling Center. These items will be made available at the Reuse Trailer to faculty, staff and students. Items can include file folders, hanging file folders, metal clips, file holders, binders, unused labels, envelopes, paper and any other item that could be reused.

Plastic Bags
Plastic grocery sacs are now recyclable. Simply place them in a recycling bin marked for plastic, tin, and glass at a recycling station in your building. Other types of film plastic are not recyclable and should be placed in the trash.

Printer Ribbon
Printer Ribbons may be brought to the Recycling Center at 809 College Street.

Packing Peanuts and Bubble Wrap
We ask that all packaging peanuts and bubble wrap be stored in a bag or box and be placed by a recycling station in your building. As these materials are made available to the community for reuse, they should be keep clean and separate from other recyclables. Peanuts are available on a first come, first serve basis at the Recycling Center.

Toner Cartridges
Toner Cartridges should be placed in an original box and/or bagged, marked with the words: "Recycle", and placed next to a recycling station in your building. (Please wrap carefully to avoid spills.)

Reusable Envelopes
Intercampus Envelopes are designed to be used multiple times. Simply cross out the last name and address it to your desired destination. There are exchange boxes in the Student Mailroom in McCullough. Padded envelopes can also be reused. There are exchange boxes for these in the Student Mailroom in McCullough as well.

3-Ring Binders
If these are in good condition, they can be reused. Bring them to the Recycling Center. And feel free to come get some if you need them!

Scrap metal
Scrap metal can be taken to the Recycling Center. Please check in at the Recycling Office for directions to the scrap metal box.

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

Aerosols
Aerosol cans that are not empty are hazardous waste and need to be managed accordingly. Aerosol cans that are empty can be recycled as scrap metal. Please use all the product in an aerosol can or give it away to someone else to use. If the spray nozzle is broken or you can not use the product or give it away, email beckwith@middlebury.edu or call me at 5267 for proper disposal information.

Antifreeze
The disposal of Antifreeze is regulated by the state of Vermont. It must not be mixed with other fluids. Transport Antifreeze to the Auto Shop in a closed container to avoid spills.

Batteries
Batteries must be properly managed to minimize risks to the public health. Batteries contain toxic metals such as mercury or cadmium. These chemicals have been linked to birth defects, brain and kidney damage and the poisoning of wildlife. Upon burning, these metals can be emitted into the air and are later found in high concentrations in the residual ash. Most batteries are 99% or 100% mercury free, but the other 1% is toxic. Even though batteries comprise only a half of a percent of the US waste stream, they account for over 50% of the mercury, lead and cadmium found in landfills and incinerator ash. Please do not throw batteries into the garbage. Due to their potentially dangerous nature, batteries will not be collected through the regular recycling program. Specific drop-off centers have been designated where safe storage can be maintained. Though the college is implementing this collection program, it is always preferable to eliminate waste before the need for disposal arises. Disposal and recycling are costly. Buy rechargeables -they last up to 40 times longer than disposable batteries and new rechargeables perform better than ever. Make an investment for yourself, the future, and the environment. Be sure to recycle rechargeables when they are finally exhausted since they also contain hazardous metals. If you do buy disposable batteries, look for those that are mercury-free. Soon, all batteries will be mercury-free (though they will still contain lead, cadmium and other hazardous materials).
Drop-off locations: Most buildings on campus have collection bins for batteries next to the Recycling Station on the main floor. Please email beckwith@middlebury.edu if you need help finding a battery collection site.

Lead Acid Batteries
Lead acid car batteries can be taken to the recycling center for recycling. These batteries should not be left at collection site in the buildings.

Fluorescent Bulbs
Compact fluorescent bulbs must be keep out of the trash! They are regulated by the state of Vermont. We are currently working on a campus collection system, in the meantime, please email beckwith@middlebury.edu or call me at 5267 for disposal information.

Broken Fluorescent bulbs
Broken fluorescent bulbs are hazardous waste and are required to be cleaned up following a specific procedure. If you accidentally break a bulb, call Facilities Services immediately for clean up. Keep others away from the breakage site until Facilities Services arrives.

Motor Oil and Oil Filters
Proper disposal of motor oil and oil filters is very important. Motor oil can be hazardous to human health and the environment; it may contaminate ground and surface waters if improperly handled. Please do not rinse in the sink as this allows motor oil to enter our drinking water. Motor oil and oil filters should be brought to the Auto Shop at the Service Building. Oil filters should be drained for 24 hours into a secure motor oil catch basin. Transport motor oil and filters in sealed containers. Do not mix motor oil with antifreeze, gasoline, or other car fluids.

Tires
Tires should be brought to the Recycling Center, please check in at the Recycling Center office prior to dropping tires off.

Paint and paint thinner
Paint and paint cans can be brought to the Paint Shop in the Service Building. Useable paint will be placed on the "Free paint" table. Paint that is no longer useable will be handled according to state regulations.