University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
OP-20: Electronic Waste Recycling Program

All electronic waste is sent to Asset Recovery Corporation under contracts that have detailed requirements for management, recycling, proper disposal and documentation to ensure that the materials are managed in accordance with established health, safety and environmental controls. The contract has specific language restricting markets to North America, requiring contractors to ensure against releases of hazardous constituents, and requiring contractors to perform due diligence assessments of all transporters and recyclers.

The University of Minnesota Twin Cities has in place two routes for recycling electronic wastes. The Office of Information Technology maintains a contract with Asset Recovery Corp (a certified electronics recycler), wherein IT professionals who manage departmental computers will directly contact and arrange for collection for recycling unwanted electronics. The University's Recycling Program collects both unwanted computers and scientific equipment that it stores at its Redistribution Center or its Recycling Facility and arranges for collection by Asset Recovery on a periodic basis. In total, UMTC recycles over 650,000 lbs of electronics for recycling each year.

The major focus of the program is for institutional-based electronics. Student waste is accepted during residential hall move-outs and, this year, at a one-time event on Beautiful U Day. In addition, all students living in off-campus housing in the city of Minneapolis can leave the electronics near their trash or recycling containers for special collection.