On March 28, Bowling Green State University’s (BGSU) Office of Sustainability hosted an electronic-recycling drive for the national Campus Race to Zero Waste competition.

“We competed in the general recycling category, GameDay Basketball waste reduction category and the Electronics Recycling category this year,” said Zach Hayes, BGSU sustainability coordinator. 

In total, the electronic recycling drive collected 32,673 pounds of electronics.

“That’s enough e-waste to fill three 30-yard dumpsters, or you could say that would fill 12 of the regular brown dumpsters you see around campus, like the ones behind academic buildings,” Hayes said. 

Once the Office of Sustainability receives the electronic, it is taken to Toledo, where it has two options. 

“If something still works and can be refurbished or resold. They will perform a standard three-pass wipe of the hard drives or data-bearing device on the machine. If the device is going to be recycled rather than refurbished, the hard drive is grounded up. All electronics are processed for their valuable metals, and the plastic casings are also recycled in bulk to become new products,” said Hayes.

Hayes said the Office of Sustainability runs this drive to reduce the amount of e-waste in landfills. 

“Both BGSU Sustainability and Wood County have the same goal in mind – to reduce this waste and keep the valuable raw materials in use rather than in landfills,” Hayes said.

Even though this drive is over, students and the community are both welcome to donate their electronics at sites around campus. 

“Students and community members should donate because it’s a safe way to dispose of old, outdated or broken electronics in a way that ensures they get recycled,” Hayes said.

For a complete list of electronic waste recycling stations, go to https://www.bgsu.edu/campus-sustainability/recycling-waste-reduction/battery-inkjet-cartridge-recycling.html