Recycling: Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory

This website explains how the recycling program at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO) works: what materials are recyclable, how and where to recycle them, and what happens after they leave your sight.

The Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory complies with all local, state and federal regulations. LDEO oversees the recycling program. A number of specialized vendors are employed by LDEO for recycling and waste management.

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

Paper and Cardboard

The Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory cooperates with Rockland County’s recycling program. The program requires separating various kinds of recyclables including all paper and cardboard.

Paper and cardboard can be discarded together into any receptacles designated for paper. Within each office, you’ll find small bins. In central areas – near copiers or in hallways, for example – you’ll find larger bins designated for paper. If you don’t find these receptacles, call the Traffic Department (x8864) to request them.

The Traffic Department collects all the paper and cardboard, brings it to a central sorting place, then takes it to the Hilburn Recycling Center.

The Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory generates about 43 tons of recyclable paper and corrugated cardboard 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 (If the cover is removed, the book is recyclable.)
  • 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

The Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory cooperates with Rockland County’s recycling program requiring separation of recyclables, including some types of glass, metal, plastic and beverage cartons. Not all plastics and glass are recyclable under Rockland County’s recycling program. See below for a description of which items are recyclable.

You can place any beverage container in your office recycling bin or in specially designated bin on campus. If you think an area is missing a bin or could use an extra one, call the Traffic Department (365-8864) or e-mail waste@admin.ldeo.columbia.edu to request one.

Plastic contaminated with food should be placed in the trash, and plastic jugs from laboratories should be collected by the Traffic Department for special recycling.

Large pieces of metal are placed in a special dumpster by Facilities. You can contact the Traffic Department (x8864) or e-mail waste@admin.ldeo.columbia.edu for removal of scrap metal.

Glassware from laboratories is recyclable through a separate recycling program and may not be placed in receptacles designated for “Bottles & Cans.”

If you have an aerosol can to dispose of, contact the Safety Office(x8860) or e-mail waste@admin.ldeo.columbia.edu to request a pickup by the Traffic Department.

Recyclables are brought to the Hilburn Recycling Center. Scrap metal and aerosol cans are processed by external recycling firms.

The Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory generates roughly two and a half tons of bottles, cans and containers each year.

What and How to Recycle:
GLASS, METAL, PLASTIC & BEVERAGE CARTONS
YES - PLACE IN RECYCLING NO - PLACE IN TRASH
  • Glass bottles and jars
  • Metal cans (Tuna cans, empty aerosol cans, empty and dried-out paint cans with lids removed, for example.)
  • Aluminum foil wrap and trays
  • Household metal (Wire coat hangers, pots, pans, for example.)
  • Plastic bottles and jugs
  • Beverage cartons and drink boxes (Milk and juice.)

  • Any glass items other than glass bottles and jars (Mirrors, light bulbs, ceramics, and glassware, for example.)
  • Any plastic items other than plastic bottles and jugs (Deli and yogurt containers, plastic toys, cups, plastic tops, bags and wrap, for example.)
  • Styrofoam (Cups, egg cartons, trays, for example.)

 

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Computer and Other Electronic Equipment

The Earth Observatory complies with all local, state and federal regulations regulating electronic waste.

If you wish to dispose of any electronic device, including computer equipment, email a request to the Safety Office (x8860) or e-mail waste@admin.ldeo.columbia.edu. The Traffic Department will remove the equipment and will bring it to a central area, where it’s removed by an external recycling firm.

The Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory collects about 15 tons of electronics for material recovery and recycling each year.

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Fluorescent Lamps and other Mercury-Containing Devices

Mercury-containing devices such as fluorescent lamps and ballasts are classified as hazardous waste. The Earth Observatory 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 or other mercury-containing device removed, call the Facilities Department (x8600) or e-mail waste@admin.ldeo.columbia.edu . If you have a special lamp in a laboratory, place the spent lamp in a collection box located in each laboratory and send a request to the Safety Office (x8860) or e-mail waste@admin.ldeo.columbia.edu for removal. Facilities staff will remove spent bulbs and other mercury-containing devices and bring them to a secure central area. The equipment is removed by an external recycling firm.

The Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory collects roughly half a ton of fluorescent lamps for material recovery and recycling each year.

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Batteries

Most batteries, excluding alkaline, are classified as hazardous waste. The Earth Observatory complies with federal regulations for their disposal and recycling.

If you have any type of battery to dispose of, including alkaline, you may bring it to one of three central drop-off locations on campus: Geochemistry, Administration (Stock Room and Safety Office) or the Traffic Department. If you work in a department that generates batteries, you probably have a battery collection bin in your department. Contact the Safety Office (x8860) or e-mail waste@admin.ldeo.columbia.edu if pickups or additional bins are needed.


The Traffic Department will remove batteries and store them in a secure central location from which they are removed by an outside recycling firm.

The Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory generates roughly two and a half tons of batteries for material recovery and recycling each year.

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Laboratory Chemicals

Laboratory chemicals are controlled and regulated by New York State and by the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA oversees a working list of hazardous substances that must be handled, stored and disposed of in accordance with local, state and federal laws. The Earth Observatory complies with these regulations.

If you have a chemical that needs to be disposed of, send an e-mail to the Safety Office (x8860) or e-mail waste@admin.ldeo.columbia.edu, who will go to the site to ensure that chemical is properly labeled with a Hazardous Waste label.


The Safety and Traffic Departments arrange the removal of chemicals and solvents to a central area. Morningside Campus Environmental Health & Safety staff oversees the removal of this material by the licensed hazardous waste vendor.

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Oil

The Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory adheres to all local, state and federal regulations regarding the disposal of oily wastes.

These wastes consist of used motor oil, hydraulic and equipment fluids, which are collected at the Geochemistry building and the Machine Shop in 35-gallon steel drums. If you need a drum emptied, contact the Safety Office (x8860) or e-mail waste@admin.ldeo.columbia.edu.

A specialized vendor will be contacted to handle the waste removal.

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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, contact the Safety Office (x8860) or e-mail waste@admin.ldeo.columbia.edu to request a pickup. back to top

Kitchen Grease

Grease traps are located in the cafeteria sinks. The grease is removed periodically by an outside recycling firm. The cooking oil and grease from the deep fat fryer and other appliances are collected into drums and removed by a specialized vendor. back to top

Reusable Items for Donations

If you have a reusable item that you wish to dispose of, send an e-mail request to the Safety Office (x8860) or e-mail waste@admin.ldeo.columbia.edu who will contact the Morningside Campus Property Office. If the item is approved for donation, the property tag is removed and the item is reused as much as possible within the Columbia community. Any item that you judge reusable can be brought to the attention of the Property Office. back to top

Specialty Items

The Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory attempts to recycle all types of items, even those not generated routinely such as magnetic tape, asphalt and concrete. Specialty items such as these are deal with on a case-by-case basis. If you have items that are not part of the regular recycling program, send a request to the Safety Office (x8860) or e-mail waste@admin.ldeo.columbia.edu. back to top

Bulk Waste

Bulk waste -- items too large for disposal with the regular waste stream -- are removed by Facilities. They are deposited in a bulk waste container, then removed by a private vendor. If you need a bulk waste item removed, contact the Safety Office (x8860) or e-mail waste@admin.ldeo.columbia.edu. back to top

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