Recycling: Medical Center Academic and Administrative Buildings

This website explains how the recycling program in academic and administrative buldings at Columbia University Medical Center works: what materials are recyclable, how and where to recycle them, and what happens after they leave your sight. Columbia University Medical Center complies with all New York City, state and federal regulations. Recycling bins for paper and bottles and cans are available in most buildings, usually in central locations such as lobbies and hallways. Facilities Operations oversees the recycling program at CUMC.

The recycling program depends on your participation. Protect your environment by participating correctly.

Paper and Cardboard

Columbia University Medical Center complies with New York City’s recycling program in all academic and administrative buildings. The program requires separating the various kinds of recyclables including all types of paper and cardboard.

Paper and cardboard can be discarded together into any receptacles designated for paper. If you don’t find these receptacles, contact Facilities Operations to request them. Within each office, you’ll find small blue or white bins labeled for paper recycling. In central areas – near copiers or in hallways, for example – you’ll find larger bins designated for paper.

The custodial staff collects all the paper and cardboard.

Columbia University Medical Center generates about 18 tons of paper and cardboard for recycling each year.

What and How to Recycle:
PAPER & CARDBOARD

YES - PLACE IN RECYCLING NO - PLACE IN TRASH
  • White, colored and glossy paper (Staples OK, but not spiral bindings.)
  • Mail and envelopes
  • Wrapping paper (Remove ribbon and tape.)
  • Smooth cardboard (Shoe boxes, tubes from paper towel and toilet paper rolls, cardboard from product packaging. For food boxes, remove inside and outside plastic wrappers.)
  • Paper bags
  • Cardboard egg cartons and trays
  • Newspapers, magazines and catalogs
  • Phone books, soft-cover books (Paperbacks, comic books, etc.)
  • Corrugated cardboard (If flattened boxes are large, place them next to the recycling bin.)

  • Hardcover books (Recyclable, if the cover is removed.)
  • Used napkins, paper towels or tissues
  • Soiled paper cups or plates
  • Heavily soiled paper
  • Plastic- or wax-coated paper or cardboard (Candy wrappers, take-out containers, etc.)

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Glass, Metal and Plastic Beverage Containers

New York City does not require commercial facilities such as the academic buildings at Columbia University Medical Center to recycle glass, metal and plastic containers. The Medical Center does not currently offer programs for the recycling of these materials. back to top

Computer and Other Electronic Equipment

The Columbia University Medical Center complies with all local, state and federal regulations regulating the disposal of electronic waste through demanufacturing, that is by recovering parts that can be reused, thereby keeping as much as possible out of the waste stream.If you wish to dispose of any electronic device, including computer equipment, call the Maintenance Control Center (5-3753). Facilities staff will remove the item to a central area. Environmental Health and Safety staff oversees the removal of this material by the licensed hazardous waste vendor, Northeast Lamp Recycling. back to top

Fluorescent Lamps and Other Mercury-Containing Devices

Mercury-containing devices such as fluorescent lamps and ballasts are classified as hazardous waste. Columbia University Medical Center complies with federal regulations for their disposal and recycling in all academic and administrative buildings. Incandescent bulbs are not recycled and should be placed in the trash. If you need a lamp changed, call the Maintenance Control Center (5-3753). Facilities staff will remove the item to a central area. Morningside Campus Environmental Health & Safety staff oversees the removal of this material by the licensed hazardous waste vendor, Northeast Lamp Recycling. Columbia University Medical Center generates approximately 39,120 linear feet of fluorescent lamps for mercury recovery and recycling each year. back to top

Batteries

Most batteries, excluding alkaline, are classified as hazardous waste. Columbia University Medical Center complies with federal regulations for their disposal and recycling in all buildings.

Residents are not required to recycle alkaline batteries; these may be placed in the trash. You may also recycle any batteries in designated receptacles in administrative and academic buildings.

There are metal receptacles for all types of batteries in central corridors in most buildings. If you think an area is in need of a battery bin, or if you have a large number of batteries to dispose of, contact the Maintenance Control Center (5-3753). Facilities staff will remove them to a central staging area. Environmental Health & Safety staff oversees the removal of this material by the licensed hazardous waste vendor, Northeast Lamp Recycling.

Columbia University Medical Center generates approximately one ton of batteries for disposal each year.

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Laboratory Chemicals

Handling, storage and disposal of hazardous chemicals, generated in research laboratories or in clinical offices and laboratories, are regulated by New York State and federal.

In the pathology and dermatopathology labs, all solvents undergo recycling by means of a system in place in each laboratory. All other laboratories have secure containers for the collection of hazardous waste solvents and chemicals.

Depending on their chemical makeup, some solvents are recycled on site through an incineration or distillation process that returns them to reusable purity. All other chemicals and solvents are brought to a centralized area by an Environmental Health and Safety staff member. They are ultimately removed by a hazardous waste vendor.

For removal of any type of chemical, submit the online request form, or call Environmental Health & Safety (212-305-6780).

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Low-Level Radioactive Wastes

Low-level radioactive wastes are strictly regulated by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, along with local, state and other federal regulations. The Office of Radiation Safety further sets codes and a guide for handling, storage and disposal of low-level radioactive wastes. Refer to http://www.cumc.columbia.edu/dept/radsafety/ for detailed information.

To handle low-level radioactive material or equipment that uses or creates low-level radioactive waste, you must register and be licensed by the Radiation Safety Office. All materials and associated equipment are strictly controlled by the Radiation office. Reach the office at (212) 305-0303 or rsocumc@columbia.edu. The Radiation Office requires completed documentation for any use of radioactive materials.

In all areas where machinery and/or experiments involving radioactive wastes occur, special containers are outfitted and must be labeled, regardless of contents, with “Caution Radioactive Materials.” Please check the Radiation website for detailed information regarding proper handling of waste during transfer to the container, as well as special protective clothing and what to do if a spill occurs. Only a Radiation Officer (Investigator) is approved to handle this material.

Following are instructions on how to deal with various types of material as well as proper handling and disposal procedures:

  • Solid Waste: Request a 5- or 30-gallon steel drum labeled “Solid Waste Cans.” Do not place into the drum any liquids, liquid scintillation vials or caps, or any material other than solid waste. You must submit a request for removal.
  • Liquid Scintillation Vials: Request a 5- or 30-gallon steel drum labeled “Liquid Scintillation Vials.” Vials must be intact with the tops securely in place. Separate caps or vials can not be disposed of in any waste stream. You must submit a request for removal.
  • Liquids: Request a 10- or 20-liter carboy. Only aqueous liquids can be placed in these containers, and the liquid should not be very acidic or basic. You must submit a request for removal.
  • For any other type of waste (pathogenic, infectious, pyrogenic, biological, explosive or any radioactive waste not covered in the above), contact the Radiation Safety Office.
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Regulated Medical Wastes

Columbia University Medical Center adheres to all OSHA and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation regulations regarding the handling and disposal of regulated medical waste (RMW).

All RMW should be placed in a secure metal container (red bags). Any item contaminated with biological waste should also be placed in one of these containers. Contact the Maintenance Control Center (5-3753) for removal, or place the secure container outside the office and facilities staff will remove the material.

RMW is collected in a central area for removal by Environmental Health & Safety and by Stericycle, the medical waste disposal vendor.

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Controlled Substances and Pharmaceuticals

Columbia University Medical Center complies with Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), local and state regulations regarding controlled substances and pharmaceuticals. All persons acquiring, handling and disposing of pharmaceuticals must be registered and licensed by the DEA.

If you require disposal of a controlled substance or pharmaceuticals, contact the Environmental Health & Safety, using the on-line form, or by calling (212-305-6780).

Depending on the chemical for disposal, it may be mixed with a halogenated substance to render it inert and unrecoverable. The solvent is then incinerated. Or Environmental Health & Safety may transfer the material to Strong Pharmaceuticals, an outside vendor.

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Silver and Film Recovery

Columbia University Medical Center complies with EPA and New York State regulations governing the disposal of hazardous chemicals. The silver recovery program ensures that silver-nitrate wastewater produced during film processing is properly recycled.

If you are working in an x-ray or photo-laboratory, any solvents you use should be filtered through the metallic cartridge system. Scraps of film should be collected in the container labeled “Scrap Film Collection Container.” To request removal of any type of container, use the online form, or call Environmental Health and Safety (212-305-6780).

All of the collected material is stored in a secure central area before being removed by Greymart Environmental Services, which uses a refining process to extract pure silver. Columbia University Medical Center recovers approximately 100 troy ounces of silver per year.

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Dental Amalgams

The Medical Center complies with New York State Department of Environmental Conservation regulations and procedures recommended by the American Dental Association regarding the handling, storage and disposal of dental amalgams.

In the School of Dental Medicine, chairside containers labeled “Scrap Amalgam” are available for collection of dental amalgams. To request the removal of dental amalgams, use the online form, or call Environmental Health and Safety (212-305-6780).


Facilities staff will remove the material to a central area. Environmental Health & Safety staff oversees its removal by a hazardous waste vendor for mercury purification and recovery.

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Printer and Copier Cartridges

All spent toner cartridges should be sent back to the manufacturer by using the prepaid shipping labels supplied with each new cartridge. If you have a large number, call Maintenance Control Center (5-3753) to request a pickup.

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Bulk Waste

Bulk waste -- large items that cannot be disposed of with the regular waste stream -- are removed by Facilities staff and brought to a container for removal by a private vendor. If you need a bulk waste item removed, call the Maintenance Control Center (5-3753).

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