Bradley University has a program to help obtain university-owned electronics for reuse.
The Technology HelpDesk and Computing Services is recycling electronics around campus, picking them up at various drop-off zones. The university only recycles its own equipment and does not recycle students’ personal electronic items.
The Technology HelpDesk helps schedule computer and other electronics pick-ups for the university. They are then disposed of adequately by a designated service.
“It used to be that people could donate or get money back for used computer equipment,” said Sandra Bury, executive director of computing services. “There are new requirements that make us have to pay to recycle equipment according to the law.”
According to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, covered electronic devices such as: cable receivers, computers (desktop or laptop), electronic mice, portable digital music players, printers, televisions and video game consoles are all banned from being thrown into landfills.
The only acceptable items for landfill disposal are cell phones, portable digital assistants (PDA), computer cables and zip drives.
“Computing services legally recycles university sanctioned technology and computers that have reached the end of their life cycle,” Bury said.
Students have to go to other electronic recycling programs within the Peoria community to have their personal items disposed.
Although students find this to be an inconvenience, there are options. Other companies that will take in personal equipment are Best Buy, Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois, Staples Inc. and the Salvation Army.
“We are struggling with a [budget] increase because people are dropping off personal equipment,” Bury said. “We are getting help from the [Bradley] university police to have cameras, so we know who keeps dropping off their personal equipment.”
One project coming up that the recycling program will be utilized is the tear down of Jobst Hall, where they will recycle all of the university owned technology within the building.
“Special projects like Jobst Hall will help us with an uptick in recycling this year,” Bury said.
