Electronic Waste Recycling
Computers and Equipment
The University of Guelph collects obsolete computer and electronic waste for recycling from on-campus departments and computer labs.
On-Campus Drop-off
On-Campus Pick Ups
If you are unable to drop the items off due to load size, please email the Recycling Co-ordinator indicating the quantity and type of equipment, and detailing its location.
Please allow up to two weeks for pickup. For more information on how much electronic waste is diverted, visit the recycling performance page.
Acceptable items
Acceptable items include computers, printers, fax machines, keyboards, cables, and most other computer peripherals, as well as electronic items such as vacuums, phones, radios, etc. Monitors and televisions (CRTs) as well as data-storage devices (including CDs, DVDs, zip drives, etc.) are also accepted for recycling.
Off-campus Options
If you are living in Guelph and not a member of the University community, there are a few options for you to recycle your electronic waste. You can drop items off at a depot at ARC Industries at 8 Royal Road. This material is picked up once a week by Production Works. Again, they accept all electronic waste but not monitors and televisions.
Also, Guelph residents and businesses can now drop off electronic waste, including TVs and monitors, year-round, free of charge at the City of Guelph Public Drop off at the Waste Resource Innovation Centre, 110 Dunlop Drive, Gate 2. Please contact the City of Guelph Waste Resource Innovation Centre at 767-0598 for more information.
Other electronic waste can be dropped off to take-back programs at a number of retailers and service locations around the city. For an up-to-date list, visit www.recycleyourelectronics.ca.
Recycling Partners
Most of the electronics that are collected are sent to Production Works Co-operative, a local computer and electronics recycling company which provides employment experience to people with intellectual disabilities. Employees disassemble the hardware down to component parts for recycling. Production Works is a division of Community Living Guelph-Wellington.
Monitors and televisions, ink cartridges, and microwaves, are sent to Greentec International in Cambridge.
Inkjet and Laser Printer Cartridges
There are several ways of dealing with an ink cartridge on campus. You have the option of either getting your empty cartidges re-filled or leaving them for recycling.
Refilling
The CSA offers a program for the professional refilling of inkjet printer cartridges. A drop-off container and information sheet are available outside the CSA main office on UC Level 2, as well as at the Bullring. There are also several off-campus businesses which offer refilling services.
Recycling
Inkjet and laser printer cartridges can be dropped off at the OPIRG building (1 Trent Lane), or at the Sustainability Office. These cartridges are being sent to GreenTec for processing, though multiple departments have set up their own programs to send the inkjet cartridges to charities to earn money for said charities.
If you have too many cartridges to store, you can arrange for a pick up through the Sustainability Office. Simply call ext. 58129 or email recycle[AT]pr.uoguelph.ca to co-ordinate a day and time.
Cell Phones
Cell phones can be dropped off at the Sustainability Office, and are also recycled with GreenTec. For larger quantities, you can call the Sustainability Office to arrange for a pick up, at ext. 58129 or by emailing recycle[AT]pr.uoguelph.ca. Please let us know the quantity of cell phones that require disposal.
