UMass Chan Medical School
IN-1: Innovation 1

The University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS) would like to submit employee electronics recycling events for consideration for a STARS Innovation Credit. UMMS has a comprehensive electronics recycling program through a partnership with Northeast Material Handling of Lowell. Electronics, lab equipment, furniture, batteries and other items are now collected at the loading dock and picked up by Northeast Material Handling for recycling. In 2011, the UMMS Sustainability Committee, in conjunction with Northeast Material Handling, decided to sponsor an electronic recycling event for employees. E-Recycling events are now held twice a year at different locations for employees to recycle their personal items. The electronics recycling program is free to members of the school and hospital community, with the exception of a fee for televisions with picture tubes. On collection day, almost any item with an electric power cord or battery pack will be accepted. Common items collected at these events in the past include: • air conditioners, dehumidifiers, radios, small household appliances, microwave ovens, • televisions, speakers • batteries, battery-operated tools • cell phones, device chargers, telephones • circuit boards, computers (laptops and towers), modems, monitors, desktop scanners, fax machines, printers, routers, servers, switches • holiday lights, other lighting fixtures (no bulbs) • medical equipment, fire alarm components • ballasts, wires These items are usually not part of curbside recycling programs and are therefore typically difficult to recycle. Since these employee events began in 2011, the school has collected 67,200 pounds of electronics from employees of both UMMS and UMass Memorial Healthcare.