Recycling

Reduce - Reuse - Recycle

Campus Recycling:

Razorback Recycling, located on the far western edge of campus at 434 Eastern Avenue (see map) , recycles white paper, mixed paper, plastic drink bottles, glass, aluminum cans, steel cans, corrugated cardboard, and unbroken florescent lights. Quad recycling stations, which store white paper, mixed paper, cans/bottles, and trash, are located in most buildings on campus.  Fluorescent lights should be taken to the Eastern Avenue facility.  Dumpsters allocated specifically for cardboard can be found at convenient locations throughout the campus.  Call Razorback Recycling at (479)575-3028 if you are unable locate one.

If you have questions regarding the University of Arkansas Recycling Program, contact the Facilities Management Recycling Coordinator, Gary Enzor, phone: (479)575-3028, e-mail: genzor@uark.edu

Household Hazardous Waste, Universal Waste, and tires:

Hazardous materials, including oil-based paints, pesticides, solvents, aerosol cans, household cleaners, and automotive fluids can be disposed of properly at the Washington County Environmental Affairs and Recycling facility at 2615 South Brink Drive in Fayetteville (see map).

Electronic devices and equipment from cell phones to wide screen TVs are also accepted at Washington County Environmental Affairs. Large items cost $5 to drop off, small items are accepted at no cost. Call (479)444-1725 to determine which items have a charge. This is an excellent alternative to landfilling electronic equipment. The items are sent to facilities where they are disassembled, and recyclable materials are recovered.

Tires are also accepted there, the first four passenger car tires at no charge.

Other Universal Waste Recycling Programs.   The University sponsors a variety of local recycling solutions that provide recycling alternatives for most universal wastes, including:

• Car Batteries:  The Vaughn Battery Company, located at the intersection of S. School and 6th Streets (see map) recycles car batteries as well as aluminum cans. They will actually pay you for your old battery, as opposed to the usual practice of charging you for the recycling service.  They will also pay you for your aluminum cans.
  
  
• Rechargeable Batteries + cell phones:   Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) has a program that will provide clearly labeled recycling boxes designed to collect several different battery types as well as old cell phones.  RBRC recycles the following battery chemistries:   Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd), Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH), Lithium Ion (Li-ion) and Small Sealed Lead (Pb).  Cell phones are accepted with the batteries intact and RBRC donates a portion of their proceeds from the sale of old cell phones to charity. Alkaline and other non-rechargeable batteries are not included in this program and should not be placed into the recycling boxes.
  
  In order to participate in the rechargeable battery recycling program, your building executive will need to contact RBRC with a point of contact for the building and a designated location for the collection boxes.  They will need to know the building’s physical address, contact name, e-mail address and fax number.  You can e-mail RBRC at:   recycling@rbrc.com or call toll free (877)723-1297 with questions about the program, to sign up, or to order program materials.  Within a couple of weeks of contacting RBRC you will receive two boxes, pre-addressed shipping labels, safety instructions and plastic bags.  Each individual rechargeable battery should be placed into a plastic bag to preclude contact with the terminals of other batteries.  When a box is full, the building executive will merely seal the box with tape and call UPS for pick up.  Replacement boxes will be sent to your building’s contact automatically.  There is no charge for the service; RBRC will pay for shipping.
  
  Check with your building exec to see if this service is available in your building.
  
  
• Alkaline batteries + small computer components:   Alkaline batteries are not considered toxic materials by RCRA, either charged or discharged.   However, they contain zinc, manganese oxide, and ammonium chloride, each of which is mildly toxic. When they are placed in a land fill, the zinc reacts with the ammonium chloride and forms zinc chloride, which leaks out of the cell and into the surrounding environment.  So, although it is legal to put alkaline batteries into a land fill, it couldn't be considered a "green" practice.  The UofA Computer Store in the Arkansas Union offers a recycling program for alkaline batteries as well as for Small computer components including circuit boards, optical drives, computer cabling (external or internal), keyboards and mice.
  
  
• Alkaline batteries + rechargeable batteries (all types) + Inkjet and LaserJet toner cartriges + personal cellular phones:  The University Bookstore has partnered with Staples and Battery Outfitters in Rogers, AR to provide this service for the campus.  Portions of the proceeds realized by Staples will be donated to a UA scholarship fund.
  • Batteries:  all alkaline and rechargeable batteries will be collected and sent to Battery Outfitters in Rogers, AR to be recharged, sent for metal reclamation, or properly disposed of according to the highest level of environmental protection standards.   Small batteries should be individually placed in zip-lock plastic bags to prevent contact with the terminals of other batteries.  Car batteries should be dropped off at the Arkansas Union Loading Dock pickup site.
  • Toner Cartridges:  This service was previously handled by University Printing Services who collected between 40 and 100 toner cartridges per day for recycling.  The University Bookstore will send the collected toner cartriges back to Staples for recycling. Staples will determine the cartirige condition, refurbish and refill physically undamaged ones with toner for another life of service.
  • Cell phones:  Personal cell phones will be sent to Collective Good in Boulder, Colorado, where reusable electronics and potentially toxic matals will be reclaimed.
  
  Look for the big blue clearly marked recycling containers at the following locations:
  
  • Hotz Hall — 1st Floor Main Lobby
  • Mullins Library — West (Union) Foyer Entrance
  • Administration Building — 4th Floor Copy Room
  • Kimpel Hall — 2nd floor Student Lobby
  • Harmon Parking Deck — The Parking Spot
  • Graduate Education — 1st Floor Student Lobby
  • Facilities Management — Mail Room
  • University Bookstore — Arkansas Union Loading Dock
    
    
• Still didn't find what you are looking for?  Here is a site, Earth 911 where you can look up recycling resources in your area.