Department of Chemistry - Health and Safety Information

Departmental Recycling Facilities

Computers and Electrical Equipment

It is no longer possible to dispose of old computer equipment in the general waste skips. Further information is available. Please contact the Computer Officers, preferably by email to computer.disposal@ch.cam.ac.uk if you have any such items, and they will advise on safe disposal.

Printer cartridges

Printer cartridges can be returned to Stores (Goods-in) for collection and recycling.

Paper

Paper recycling bins are placed in various locations around the Department. Only certain types of paper may be placed in the bins:

  • Computer paper
  • Photocopier paper
  • Invoices
  • Letterheads
  • Compliment slips
  • White envelopes

Items that cannot be recycled in this way include:

  • Newspapers
  • Magazines
  • Brown envelopes
  • Photocopier paper wrappers
  • Laminated paper
  • Manilla files
  • Acetate sheets
  • Cardboard
  • Ring binders
Cardboard

The cardboard recycling facility is located on the ramp outside Stores, opposite the liquid nitrogen area. Access is via the corridor next to the lift. The bin is emptied daily. All polystyrene and other packaging materials must be removed, and the cardboard flattened as much as possible.

Glass

Mixed uncontaminated glass can be recycled in the green wheelie-bin next to the cardboard dumpster.

Aluminium drinks cans

There are bins for recycling drinks cans in the cybercafe and at various locations around the Department. Please rinse and crush cans before recycling.

Batteries

Certain types of battery can be taken to the Electrical Workshop in the Technical Services Centre. These are:

  • Alkaline
  • Nickel Cadmium (NiCad)
  • Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH)
  • Zinc Carbon

Lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries must be disposed of as chemical waste; fill in an "Application Form for Disposal of Hazardous Chemicals" available for download from http://www.ch.cam.ac.uk/safety/waste-recycling.

Catalogues

There is now a green bin labelled CATALOGUE RECYCLING in the West End car park next to the blue waste bins. The bin can be used to recycle the following:

  • Scientific and RS catalogues
  • Glossy paper
  • Telephone directories
  • Yellow Pages

Please remove plastic sleeves before placing items in the bin. No cardboard, newspaper or general waste should be put in the bin. The key for the bin is available from reception.

Plastic bottles

There are bins for recycling plastic bottles in various locations around the Department, including the Cybercafe and the East (Scott Polar) end of the building outside the BMS Lecture theatre. Please remove tops from bottles before placing in the bins. N.B. Only plastic bottles can be recycled in this way.