Frequently Asked Questions

If extra water bottles are available, OCS is happy to provide one. We ask that in order to receive a replacement bottle you take the time to complete the Planet Blue Ambassador training. If you are already a Planet Blue Ambassador, please email planetblue@umich.edu.

The date changes as we work to engage regional partners and secure sites for the events. The date will be posted at sustainability.umich.edu/ewaste.

We are currently working to upgrade lighting systems across campus. For many years, we felt that the technology in LED products on the market was not sufficient for our needs. Longevity, compatibility, and consistency were our largest concerns. The industry has developed and we now feel confident in the available lighting solutions. Now the challenge is to prioritize the buildings. The cost of installing LEDs across campus is high and our regular project budget will not allow us to do this changeover quickly.

Empty shipping boxes are located at your loading dock. They come with pre-addressed postage-paid labels, so there is no cost to you. When you have filled a box with empty pipet tip boxes, seal and take it to your UPS pick-up station. For more information, contact sustainable-labs@umich.edu.

Excellent choice! Gel Red is a safer product for your DNA and RNA gel work. Solid waste can go into trash and liquid waste can go down the drain. OCS can provide a free sample for you to try. If you’re satisfied with the results, you can purchase Gel Red at a discounted price of $70 per 500 uL vial through M-Market from VWR. For more information, contact sustainable-labs@umich.edu.

Bin requests should be sent to recycle@umich.edu. Please let us know the type of bin you want (desk-side bin, central bin, landfill, recycling, etc.) and where specifically it should be delivered.

Unfortunately, the university’s recycling facility partner, Western Washtenaw Recycling Authority, no longer accepts glass for recycling. The market for glass is very poor, with no manufacturer who wants to purchase old glass to make something new. This is why it is so important for all of us to purchase items that contain recycled content. When people buy recycled-content items, there is an incentive for companies to use recycled content in their products. As the demand for recycled content increases, recycling facilities are able to not only sell the material they collect, but can often also make enough money to reduce what customers (like U-M) have to pay for the recycling service.

The university does not provide shredding services. Please contact your department head or facility manager to find out who your shredding provider is in order to request service.

Please email recycle@umich.edu to request used campus envelopes. These envelopes are available at no cost. Note that there is often a wait list for envelopes. Your request will be filled in the order it was received. We are unable to provide specific envelope quantities or sizes.

Yes! There is office supply reuse event each summer. Gently used office supplies are collected from campus buildings and made available at no cost to U-M departments and local non-profits. Please save office supplies until the collection period. For updates on the date of the event, please visit recycle.umich.edu.

Since the Western Washtenaw Recycling Authority’s recycling facility isn’t designed for tours, these can be hard to schedule. If you are interested in scheduling a tour for a class, please email recycle@umich.edu at least 4 weeks in advance of your requested date.

Both inkjet and toner cartridges can be recycled at U-M through a partnership with Mikan Corp. They will deliver a collection box and pick it up when filled. Please contact them at salesinfo@mikancorp.com.

We are happy to recycle used writing instruments, but are unable to pick these items up. Please send them to through campus mail to: Recycle Write, 109 E Madison St, 2993.