Recycling is the process of making or manufacturing new products from a product that has originally served its purpose. If these used products are disposed of in an appropriate, environmentally- friendly way, the process of recycling has been set in motion.
Items that are made from materials such as aluminum, plastic water bottles and certain kinds of paper can be separated from your regular trash and put in an appropriate recycling bin.
COMMON RECYCLABLES
Aluminum Cans
Aluminum cans are one of the most common recyclables on-campus. We ask that you place all aluminum cans in recycling receptacles marked “Aluminum Cans”. Such receptacles are located in each building on-campus.
All aluminum cans are picked up from each respective location by Maintenance & Operations.
Ballasts & Light Bulbs
Generally fluorescent lamps are four to five times more efficient than incandescent bulbs. Fluorescent lamps reduce the need for power plants to burn fossil fuels to generate electricity, thereby reducing emissions including mercury, carbon dioxide and other pollutants that contribute to climate change.
These lamps also reduce solid waste, since they last longer than incandescent or halogen lamps and require less frequent replacement.
Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), and with other energy-efficient lighting such as linear fluorescent and high intensity discharge (HID) lamps contain a very small amount of mercury, an element essential to achieving energy savings. While these lamps help consumers and businesses cut their lighting energy usage and reduce energy costs, it is important that any product containing mercury be properly managed when it becomes waste to protect public health and the environment.
All ballasts and light bulbs recycling is handed by Maintenance & Operations.
Batteries
Bins are located in the College Bookstore (Student Union West Building), Procurement Office, Audio Visual and Maintenance & Operations.
All types of rechargeable batteries (AAA, AA, C, D, and 9-volt) are accepted. Excludes automobile and marine batteries.
Maintenance & Operations will collect all bins and take to the nearest drop off site in Panama City.
Brass
Brass is not an element metal by its self but since it is used so commonly and described as its own metal, it deserves its own section. Copper is the base element found in brass and alloyed with a high percentage of zinc. You will also find information here on a couple of commonly bought bronze alloys. Common terms and information in recycling brass are given below.
Yellow Brass - This is the most commonly used brass. Used in household plumbing including popular items such as your faucets and "under the sink" plumbing. Most keys will also be yellow brass. Although many different alloy percentages can be found, yellow brass usually contains around 60% to 70% copper, 30% to 40% zinc and trace amounts of lead and tin. Yellow brass gets its name because the very apparent yellow color.
Red Brass - Although diminishing in use, this brass is still commonly recycled. The reddish pink tint gives this brass its name. Red brass is commonly made up of 85% Copper, 15% Zinc and very small traces of Lead and Tin. Common uses are sprinklers and shut off valves but there are many other items that can be found.
Semi-red Brass - This has modernly replaced red brass as we've known it. Cheaper element mixture and equally as useful, its defined use has made this all but replace red brass. The common element alloys are 80% copper, 10% zinc, 5% tin, 2-3% lead and other trace elements.
A less common type of metal that has similar alloyed elements as brass, is bronze. The two most used are defined as Aluminum Bronze and Manganese Bronze. Aluminum Bronze is around 90% copper, 7% aluminum, 2-3% iron and traces of other elements. Manganese Bronze is 58.5% Copper, 39% Zinc, 1.4% Iron and small traces of other elements.
For brass recycling, contact the Procurement Office at extension 3843.
Cardboard
Cardboard is used in many different areas and can be easily broken down and reused in many different forms for easy reuse and recycling.
Cardboard is also known as OCC, or Old Corrugated Cardboard. Corrugated means "shaped into parallel ridges or grooves", which is the typical material used to ship most all materials and products worldwide.
Cardboard boxes must be broken down and flattened for recycling! Cardboard receptacles are located behind Bookstore and Foodservice. You are request to place your cardboard boxes outside your office door. Maintenance & Operations will pick these up and place them in the receptacles.
For large amounts of cardboard, please submit a work order request online for immediate pickup.
Cell Phones
Cellular phones or mobile phones are one of the most ubiquitous gadgets in today’s society.
You are requested to send your used cell phones to the Procurement office. ALL types and brands are accepted.
E-Waste
Old/outdated/no-longer-needed electronics such as computers, monitors, computer peripherals (speakers, printers, etc.), and all types of audio visual equipment may contain heavy metals that if disposed of improperly can be toxic to the environment and potentially the public. This type of waste is termed “e-waste.”
Do not dispose of any e-waste in the regular trash or dumpsters.
If you need to dispose of e-waste, first contact the computer helpdesk to allow them to track changes in electronic inventory. Once approved, items will be picked-up by Information Technology staff member.
As needed, Contractor will be notified to pick-up these items.
Confidential Data Reminder: All equipment must be erased of any confidential/sensitive data and software as required by the College prior to Surplus. This includes any portable drives, flash drives, or any internal/external data storage devices.
Furniture
All furniture, especially College owned property with a GCSC Inventory ID Tag, must be surplus. To surplus any furniture items (such as chairs, desks, partition walls, etc) contact the Procurement Office at extension 3843.
Hard & Soft cover Books
See "Mixed Paper".
Laser/Inkjet Toner Cartridges
You are requested to send your used/empty toner cartridges to the Procurement office. ALL types and brands are accepted.
Magazines
See "Mixed Paper".
Mixed Paper
Mixed Paper Includes the following:
Confidential Materials
General Office Paper (any color, includes glossy/photo)
Newspaper
Magazines
Business Cards
Junk Mail
Manila Envelopes/Folders
Pasteboard
With or without staples/paper clips
Not Included in Mixed Paper:
Laminated Paper
Napkins or Paper Towel
Soiled/Food Contaminated Paper
Paper plates used for food
Paper coffee/beverage cups that are soiled
Receptacles are placed throughout the College in various departments and offices. On-site shredding is handled monthly by Contractor. We ask that you place your paper recycling items in boxes with lids. You are to contact Jay Sullins in the Receiving department to request pick-up of your boxes.
Newspaper
See "Mixed Paper".
Pallets – Wood
Wooden pallets are being recycled in the Receiving Department.
To request a pickup of pallets for recycling, please place a work order online and a Maintenance & Operations staff member will contact you for more information and coordination for pickup.
Plastic Bottles
Another common recyclables on-campus is plastic bottles. The College is only collecting soda/drink bottles at this time.
Place all plastic bottles in receptacles marked "Plastic Bottles Only". These receptacles are shaped like a Coke bottle.
