MBIM IT supports responsible reuse, recycling, and secure disposal of departmental computing equipment. Whenever possible, working computers and accessories should be reviewed for reuse before disposal. For electronic waste that can no longer be repurposed, please use the approved building recycling locations and follow the disposal guidance below. Because MBIM offices are located in the Life Sciences Centre, the LSI Sustainability site is also an important building-level reference for recycling programs and locations.
On this page
Working computers and accessories
Before discarding a working computer, monitor, or accessory, please contact MBIM IT so the equipment can be assessed for reuse elsewhere in the department or building. Reuse is preferred whenever a device can still provide value.
For computing devices with storage, hard drives and other recording media must be reviewed for secure destruction before final disposal.
E-waste drop-off
The LSI Sustainability program identifies the primary e-waste drop-off location as the area in front of the Styrofoam recycling cage in the B2 loading dock. This is the location to use for old, broken, or obsolete electronic waste such as cell phones, computer towers and monitors, keyboards and mice, scanners, printers, and similar items.
This location is for electronic waste only. Do not place general garbage or mixed recycling in the e-waste area.
Accepted items
Based on the current departmental and building guidance, the following computing-related items are generally appropriate for e-waste recycling after any required data-bearing components have been handled properly:
- Desktop computers and laptops
- Monitors, keyboards, mice, and computer cables
- Printers, scanners, modems, routers, and switches
- Computer parts, motherboards, and accessory cards
- UPS units, power bars, extension cords, and related accessories
- Cell phones and similar small electronic devices
- Other obsolete electronic equipment that fits the LSI e-waste stream
If you are unsure whether a device belongs in the e-waste stream, ask MBIM IT before dropping it off.
Items not accepted in e-waste bins
Do not place the following items in the computing e-waste drop-off unless MBIM IT or facilities staff have confirmed an alternate process:
- Batteries — use the battery recycling locations listed below.
- Toner cartridges — use the toner recycling points listed below.
- Scientific instruments and lab equipment — these require separate review and disposal planning.
- Non-electronic surplus items such as furniture, office supplies, or other general materials.
- Garbage, packaging, Styrofoam, or mixed recycling.
For non-computing items that may still be usable, consider departmental reuse options or Reuse-It! UBC.
Toner, pen, and battery recycling
The LSI Sustainability page notes that pen, toner, and battery recycling locations are available throughout the building, including:
- “Fed Ex” table in the B2 loading dock
- 1st floor near the West Atrium and west building entrance
Hints and tips
- Toner recycling is for cartridges only.
- Staples can recycle many kinds of pens.
- Batteries should be placed in a plastic bag before drop-off.
Personal e-waste and external recycling
For small quantities of personal electronic waste, members of the UBC community can also use UBC Waste Management. The historical UBC guidance referenced by the MSL e-waste page points users to the back of the University Services Building on Agronomy Road at Lower Mall during weekday operating hours.
For surplus but reusable non-computing items, Reuse-It! UBC may also be appropriate.
Hard drive secure destruction
All data-bearing devices should be handled carefully before disposal. As reflected in the earlier MSL guidance, hard drives, tapes, and other recording media should be securely destroyed rather than discarded with general e-waste.
Do not place computers containing undealt-with storage media into the recycling stream without notifying MBIM IT first.
If you need help identifying drives, preparing a device for disposal, or arranging secure destruction, contact MBIM IT before dropping the equipment off.