The Grounds Department has a significant role in solid waste management on campus.
The department routinely assists other units on campus with managing a variety of
materials scheduled for recycling or disposal including furniture, equipment, and
other waste materials.
Trash and recycling services on campus are competitively bid following University
procurement guidelines. The University’s current solid waste management vendor is
Waste Management. The vendor collects trash from dumpsters and campus buildings and
also operates three recycling compactors on campus.
Recycling and trash collection services on campus exteriors are often performed by
student employees. As a result, it’s not uncommon for recycling services to be delayed
during scheduled University breaks, holidays, and during peak hiring times at the
beginning of the semester.
Staff is responsible for collecting, transporting and consolidating recyclable materials
generated by the academic buildings on campus. Recycling bins, typically stored in
building loading docks, are collected by department staff and transferred to one of
the recycling compactors on campus. Recyclable materials in residential buildings
and at the SDC are managed by Facilities Management staff working in those areas.
Staff empties alkaline battery collection bins. There is generally one battery collection
bin located in each campus building. If you’re unsure of the collection bin’s location
in your building, simply inquire with Facilities Management staff working in your
building. Collected batteries are consolidated and transferred to a local vendor
for processing/recycling.
Exterior Trash & Recycling Receptacles
Staff collects trash and recycling from the exterior bins located along campus sidewalks.
Containers near building entrances are typically maintained by building personnel.
The department also maintains several dog waste stations, also located along the campus
sidewalks. University Ordinance No. 3 requires that:
“Animals on any property owned, possessed, held, or controlled by the Michigan Technological
University Board of Trustees must be licensed (if appropriate), have a record of compliance
with required vaccinations, be under the owners’ control at all times, and not be
allowed to leave behind any wastes.”
Scrap metal on campus is generated in a number of ways. From filing cabinets to full-size
vans, the department collects and transfers some form of scrap for most departments
on campus. Waste metal and salvage are transferred to local vendors at current market
rates.
Refrigerant-Containing Equipment - Facilities Management staff can assist with the
removal of refrigerant, oil, or similar hazards inherent to many pieces of equipment.
Otherwise, decontamination of the equipment is the responsibility of the requesting
department. A completed Equipment Decontamination form should be attached to the item prior to collection.
The department’s Maintenance Mechanic maintains a wide variety of University-owned
heavy equipment, handheld equipment, and vehicles. Waste oil generated by regular
maintenance is collected and recycled by an outside vendor. Departments generating
waste oil on campus should ensure that materials are being properly stored and recycled.
Vehicle maintenance includes replacing worn and damaged tires. Heavy equipment, maintenance
vehicles, and machines/implements all have rubber tires that wear during day to day
operations. Waste tires are consolidated and transferred to a local vendor for processing/recycling.
Departments or student organizations with waste tires may contact the Grounds Department
for assistance with collection and recycling.
Note: The requesting department may be responsible for fees associated with transportation
and recycling.
Disposal & Recycling Performed by Others
Electronic Waste (E-Waste) - Consumer electronics, computers, monitors, printers, and cell phones are considered
electronic waste (e-waste). Please contact it-help@mtu.edu for questions related to
the disposal/recycling of e-waste on campus. Grounds personnel can assist with the
collection and transfer of larger items, but services must be approved by Information
Technology prior to collection.
Hazardous Waste - Departments in need of hazardous waste disposal should contact Environmental Health
and Safety and review their Hazardous Waste Collection and Disposal Procedures.
Faculty, staff, and students can request assistance for any of the services outlined
above by submitting a ticket using the department’s work request system. Similarly,
if community members notice any problems such as an overfilled trash or recycling
bin or an empty dog-waste bag dispenser, please submit a work request so that it can
be addressed.
