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Stanford
Sustainable Stanford

Special Collection

Hazardous waste is any material that can be harmful to human health or the environment. Hazardous materials must be collected separately from general waste (recycle, landfill, and compost) and disposed of properly.

Stanford's Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) provides special collection of items that are hazardous and that cannot go in the recycle, compost, or landfill bins on campus.

Batteries

Batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9 volt and rechargeables) can be placed in EH&S-provided containers located in common areas such as copy rooms, lobbies, break rooms, and computer clusters. 

Find Battery Recycling Locations

Electronics

Electronic Waste (cell phones, mice, keyboards, and other small electronics) can be placed in EH&S-provided containers located in common areas such as copy rooms, lobbies, break rooms, and Housing Service Centers. Only small, non-capital equipment can be placed into these collection containers.  Find Electronic Recycling Locations

Faculty/Staff: For larger items (i.e. computers, monitors, printers, etc.) and larger volumes, coordinate disposal through your Department Property Administrator (SU Net required).

Students: Large electronic items such as computers and televisions can be dropped off at PSSI’s Main Office at 339 Bonair Siding Rd. 

Toner & Ink Cartridges

Spent toner cartridges can be placed in EH&S-provided bins located across campus. If there are no toner collection spots in your area, you can place small quantities (up to two cartridges) boxed or bagged in one of the Electronics collection containers. 

 Toner Recycling Information

Light Bulbs (Compact fluorescent tubes (CFLs)

Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) can be disposed of in the electronic waste containers. Please ensure to bag, box, or wrap the bulb to avoid breaking.

 More Information

Campus-Generated Hazardous Waste

To protect human health and the environment EH&S provides guidance on chemical inventory reporting, waste disposal, and off-campus shipping of hazardous materials. The protocols aim to prevent hazardous waste spills, discharge into wastewater, and evaporation into the atmosphere. Whenever possible, Stanford avoids the use of hazardous materials through suitable alternatives. 

Learn More

Reusing Surplus Chemicals

Stanford works to minimize the use of hazardous materials and the production of related waste through the Surplus Chemical Program. EH&S maintains an inventory of surplus chemicals that are available to the Stanford research community, free of charge. The Surplus Chemical Program is an integral part of the University’s waste minimization efforts. It helps researchers improve the environment and save costs by reducing the volume of chemicals that are purchased and disposed of as waste.

Learn More

Proper Disposal of Hazardous Waste

All chemical wastes from laboratories are presumed to be hazardous, unless EH&S has demonstrated that they are non-hazardous and appropriate for drain or trash disposal. Search EH&S’s Recycling and Disposal guide for information on proper management of hazardous materials.  

View the Guide

Questions?

For more information on proper disposal of hazardous waste from research activities, contact EH&S via their contact form or by calling (650) 723-0448 for general information and questions. Contact

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)

Electronic waste, batteries, and hazardous waste should never go into the recycling, compost, or landfill bins. Incorrectly sorting hazardous waste will contaminate the entire bin, can violate the law, and harm waste workers.

Faculty/Staff Residents

Peninsula Sanitary Service Inc. (PSSI) accepts paint, used motor oil and filters, batteries, and light bulbs (CFLs) from Stanford faculty/staff residents. Must show proof of residency. Learn more below. Universal Waste Services (SU Net required)

Other household hazardous waste items, including auto fluids, garden chemicals, household cleaners can be properly disposed of for free through Santa Clara County’s Household Hazardous Waste Program. Drop-off locations are located in San Jose, Sunnyvale, and San Martin. Appointment required. Schedule a Free Appointment

Students

In student housing areas, hazardous waste such as gasoline, paint thinners, varnishes, nail polish, and antifreeze should be placed in a box properly labeled with its contents and left on the floor of a waste enclosure next to a dumpster and labeled as hazardous. These materials are collected or tagged by Residential Dining & Enterprises and disposed of properly.