How to Recycle at Each Center and Unit

This section of the website is always evolving. Current information is provided by employees of centers, units or offices. To add, change or otherwise edit information, email Sadie Ross.

Central New York

Recycling bins can be found in large conference rooms, the kitchen and copier rooms. Paper, cardboard, glass, and metals can be sorted and put into these bins. There are separate containers for ink cartridges and batteries. Paperback and hard-cover books can be used in the book exchange. To recycle electronics contact Stephanie Cunningham at ext. 3146.

Binghamton

All aspects of recycling are taken care of by the Office of General Services. 

A recycling bin for paper is located in each office of the suite, as well as in the entrance room and conference room. Office of General Services personnel come into the offices to empty recycling bins daily. A large container is located on the fifth floor, by the elevator, in which to place cans, bottles and plastic. Cardboard is placed near the other containers by the elevator. A container is located by the elevator for old batteries (no alkaline/wet cell batteries). Office of General Services will remove old electronic equipment or metal items from the office. Approval to scrap items must be sought from Chuck Crawford in Saratoga Springs, ext. 2363.  Toner/drum cartridges are returned to the supplier in their original cartons. Old office furniture is removed from the office by OGS.

Fort Drum

Each desk has recycling bins for white paper and one for envelopes, post-its, fliers, etc. Recycling bins for cans and plastic bottles are found in the lobby. All paper, including shredded paper and cardboard boxes, are taken to a central location at the Education Center. Books can be recycled here only if the bindings are removed. Alternatively, the library across the hall from the Fort Drum Unit will take books if they are fairly new. A toner recycling program is currently in the works. Electronics are handled through Stephanie Cunningham at ext. 3146.

Utica

Paper, plastic, bottles and cans are recycled by OGS. A recycling bin is available in the entrance. Electronics are handled through Stephanie Cunningham at ext. 3146. Toner is mailed to Heidi Nightengale at the Auburn Unit for a donation.

Watertown

Paper, plastic, bottles and cans are recycled by the Dulles State Office Building. Electronics are handled through Stephanie Cunningham at ext. 3146.

Coordinating Center

All Empire State College buildings in Saratoga Springs have blue recycling bins in the kitchen/break rooms, conference rooms and copier rooms. All waste to be recycled should be placed into these bins. This includes paper, #1-#7 plastics, glass, metals, cardboard and paperback books, including phone books. CFL light bulbs, electronics and batteries should be sent to Chuck Crawford at 111 West. For a complete list of acceptable items visit zero-sort.com and type in 12866 under “meet your provider," or download a partial list at zerosortlist.

Electronics: contact Chuck Crawford, ext. 2363, for disposal of computers, monitors, telephones (landline), televisions, printers and other electronics. Usable electronics are sent to the New York State Office of General Services for redistribution. Items that do not pass the electronics test are sent to a certified recycling center. Cellphones: contact Donna Uncher, ext. 2340. 

Toner: contact Tim Stewart, ext. 2246. Empty ink cartridges as well as laser toner cartridges can be sent to Stewart at 3 Union Ave. These get picked up by Northeast Toner Inc. to be refilled and reused. Alternatively, there are boxes in the print rooms in 113 West Ave. where cartridges can be placed for recycling.

Confidential papers should be placed in the locked boxes in each copy/work room; a third-party vendor picks up the papers for shredding and recycling. Please do not place nonconfidential materials in these boxes.

Hudson Valley Center

Only paper is picked up for recycling by the hauler. Opportunities for informal recycling of bottles and cans are possible. Toner and ink cartridges are sent back to Staples. Electronics: contact Chris Tayko, ext. 3576

Newburgh

Paper and cardboard are recycled by the landlord. Bins are located by the copy machine and by the mailbox. Cans, bottles and plastic are recycled by office employees, each material has its own bin located in the lunch room. Toner is mailed back to the manufacturer in the envelopes provided.  Electronics: contact Chris Tayko, ext. 3576.

Genesee Valley Center

Paper, cardboard, #1 through #7 plastic, glass and metal all are being recycled. Each office, workroom and conference room has a paper recycling bin. See Stewart for locations of containers for plastic, glass and metals. These materials must be put into a separate bag before being placed into the recycling dumpster with the paper. Cardboard is collected in large blue bins outdoors. Paperback and hard-cover books: All books, including text books, should be turned in to Stewart for use in the book exchange. Electronics: contact Adam Bradley, ext. 3205 Cellphones, small electronics and toner: contact Stewart at ext. 3271. 

Alfred, Batavia, Canandaigua, Corninhg/Elmira

There are no  recycling services available to units. Paper, plastic, bottles and cans can be taken home to be recycled. Electronics are handled through Adam Bradley, ext.3205. Toner is mailed back to the supplier in the envelopes provided. Alternatively, toner can be sent to the Genesse Valley Center for recycling, or to Canandaigua, where toner is donated to a local school as a fundraiser.

Long Island Center

Paper, cardboard, glass, metal and plastic can be recycled and must be separated. Contact Clara Murnyack for locations of indoor containers. Electronics: contact Gus Boyle, ext. 4061. Toner and ink cartridges are sent back to Staples.

Hauppauge Unit

All recycling services are provided by OGS. Paper, cardboard, plastic, glass and metals are being collected. Electronics:  contact Gus Boyle, ext. 4061. Toner and ink cartridges are sent back to Staples.

Riverhead Unit

Paper is collected by Tri-Star. Electronics: contact Gus Boyle, ext. 4061. Toner and ink cartridges are sent back to Staples

Metropolitan Center

All garbage and recycling is put into one bin and sorted at a new state-of-the-art facility. This facility only captures paper and cardboard. There are bins for bottles and cans in the break room. These items can be sorted into these bins, however, it is likely the janitorial staff is only recycling the returnable bottles. Electronics: contact: Jin Chun, ext. 1211. All toner and ink cartridges should be mailed back to Staples.

Brooklyn

A recycling bin for paper is located in the copier room. Cans and glass bottles can be placed in the bins in the kitchen. Cardboard is recycled by building maintenance.

Staten Island

There is no current program for recycling in the Staten Island Unit.

Niagara Frontier Center

Paper and cardboard bins are found in large conference rooms, break rooms and copier rooms. Plastic #1 through #7, tin, aluminum and glass are picked up by the hauler. Check with Jane Cudmore for details about scheduling and location. These containers can be mixed together, but must be placed in a separate bag before being put into the dumpster. Toner is sent back to the supplier in the envelopes provided. Electronics: contact John Farrell, ext. 3838

Jamestown

Paper, plastic, bottles and cans are recycled through the community college.  A recycling bin is available in the entrance. Electronics: contact John Farrell, ext. 3838. Toner is mailed back to the supplier in the envelopes provided.  

Fredonia, Lockport, Olean

There is no recycling service available to this unit. Paper, plastic, bottles and cans are taken home to be recycled. Electronics: contact John Farrell, ext. 3838. Toner is mailed back to the supplier in the envelopes provided.

Northeast Center

Paper is collected by both a private contractor and the night janitorial staff. Large bins for paper collection by the private contract are found in the upstairs and downstairs break rooms. In the downstairs copy room there is one box for paper that will be shredded and one box for paper that will be recycled without shredding. ESC staff empty both of these boxes into the large bins for the private contractor. The janitorial staff will collect any paper  that is placed into proper blue recycling waste bins. Each office, meeting room and copy area can have a blue recycling bin for the janitorial staff to empty in lieu of taking the paper to the bins in the breakrooms. Cardboard is also taken by the janitorial staff. It should be broken down and placed into the break room. Both break rooms also have containers for glass, plastic and metals. College staff take these materials home for recycling. Plastics #1 and #2 are collected, #3-#7 should be disposed of in the trash. Electronics: Contact Reynold Jones, ext. 5986.

Schenectady

Paper, aluminum, tin, plastic, glass and cardboard are all recycled by OGS. Bins are located in each office as well as break rooms and conference room. Toner is sent back to the supplier in the envelopes provided. Electronics: contact John Farrell, ext. 3838.