Dispose of Waste

Master list of waste types is displayed below.

Note: If you cannot find the item that you are looking for in this list, please contact EH&S at hazwaste@calpoly.edu

• Aerosol Cans

  If the container is completely empty of both product AND propellent, you may dispose of it using a regular trash or metal recycling receptacle.

  Partially full aerosol cans can contain pressurized, flammable, or hazardous contents that pose explosion or chemical exposure risks if thrown in regular trash and must be collected and managed through EH&S to ensure proper disposal.

  Please log in to the RSS WASTe Hazardous Waste Tracking Program to create a waste Tag and request a pickup.

  Or submit an expired material waste pickup request using this form.

• Appliances - Lab Equipment or Shop

  Lab equipment and small appliances may be reusable by other campus departments, or they may qualify as electronic waste that requires specialized handling. Whether operational or not, all such items should be routed through Surplus for proper evaluation and disposition.

  Please contact Cal Poly Surplus at 805-756-5449 or at surplus@calpoly.edu to request a pickup.

• Appliances - Refrigerators

  Refrigerators contain refrigerants and insulating materials regulated by the EPA because they can release global warming gases and ozone-depleting substances if not handled properly. Units must be managed through approved disposal channels to ensure safe recovery of refrigerants and compliance with environmental regulations.

  Please contact Facilities Customer & Business Services at facilities-cbs@calpoly.edu.

• Automotive Batteries

  Automotive batteries contain corrosive acids and heavy metals that can leak and harm people or the environment if discarded improperly. They should be collected separately so they can be handled safely and sent for proper recycling.

  Automotive batteries are recycled through Fleet Services. Please contact Fleet Services at (805) 756-6022 to arrange a time to drop off the battery to Building 71 or contact Facilities Customer & Business Services at facilities-cbs@calpoly.edu.

• Batteries (consumer-type)

  Home Generated Batteries

  Cal Poly employees should take their home-generated batteries to their community recycling center rather than disposing of them on campus. In San Luis Obispo (SLO) County, you can recycle batteries for free through the IWMA's Retailer Take-Back Program at any store that sells them (like Home Depot, Walmart, pharmacies) or at dedicated Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) facilities. It's illegal to trash batteries due to hazardous materials, so always use these designated collection points for rechargeable and single-use types.

  Campus Generated Batteries

  For batteries generated on campus, use the campus Battery Bucket Exchange Request Form to request a pickup.

  Residential Students can drop batteries off at dedicated battery recycling bins located at the Housing Post locations on campus (Pacheco, Canyon, YTT)

• Bicycles

  Please contact Cal Poly Surplus at 805-756-5449 or at surplus@calpoly.edu to request a pickup.

• Biohazardous Waste

  Biowaste includes any material that may contain biological agents, such as cultures, specimens, contaminated gloves, or sharps. For safety, only trained and authorized personnel should handle, package, or transport biowaste. Please read the EH&S Program "One-Sheet" Fact Sheet or contact hazwaste@calpoly.edu for more details.

• Books - Textbooks

  You can sell used textbooks back to the university bookstore.

  If the book(s) are not being accepted for buy back, they can be recycled in any campus recycling bin. Note: Hard covers need to be removed from the book before placing in the bin, as these can damage the receiving facilitiy's sorting equipment

• Broken Glass

  If you put the glass in a cardboard box or other sturdy container, it can be thrown in the trash.

  Broken laboratory glass is disposed in dedicated broken glass disposal boxes provided by the department.

  Note: If the glass is contaminated it must be disposed of as hazardous waste. Please log in to the RSS WASTe Hazardous Waste Tracking Program to create a waste Tag and request a pickup. Or submit an expired material waste pickup request using this form.

• Car Tires

  Car tires are regulated by CalRecycle and should never be placed in regular trash bins. Car tires are disposed of through Fleet Services. Please contact Fleet Services at (805) 756-6022 to arrange a time to drop off the tire(s) to Building 71 or contact Facilities Customer & Business Services at facilities-cbs@calpoly.edu.

• Chemicals and Cleaning Agents

  All chemicals and chemical waste must not be disposed of in sinks, floor drains, or regular trash. Chemical waste shall be managed as hazardous waste and collected by the Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Department or designated Department Instructional Support Technicians. Each teaching laboratory, research space, or work area is responsible for ensuring proper waste management practices are followed. Containers for accumulating chemical waste can be requested from the EHS Department.

  Please log in to the RSS WASTe Hazardous Waste Tracking Program to create a waste Tag and request a pickup.

  For guidance or questions, contact hazwaste@calpoly.edu

• Confidential Documents

  Contact the Facilities Management & Development Help Center at 805-756-5555 or at facilities-cbs@calpoly.edu to request a confidential shred pickup. Please note that all service requests must include contact information, location (building and room number), and total number of boxes.

  Confidential shred pickup is scheduled for most Wednesdays.

  Write "confidential" on the container holding the contents to be shredded and tape the container closed. Each container should be 20 x 16 x 12 inches or smaller and should not exceed 40 lbs. The common copy paper box is recommended. For the safety of employees, boxes larger than this may not be picked up and may need to be re-boxed by the department.

  Store the confidential container in a secure, locked area until released to Facilities Management & Development personnel. A signature will be requested to ensure chain-of-custody requirements are met.

  Please do not include 3-ring binders with the documents, as they cannot be shredded.

• Coolant and Cutting Fluid

  Coolants and cutting fluids can contain oils, metals, and chemical additives that may contaminate water or soil if poured down drains or thrown away. They must be collected and managed properly to prevent environmental contamination and ensure they are treated or recycled safely.

  Please log in to the RSS WASTe Hazardous Waste Tracking Program to create a waste Tag and request a pickup.

  Or submit an expired material waste pickup request using this form.

• Dead Animals - Research

  Animal research specimens are typically managed as biohazardous waste to prevent exposure to pathogens and protect public health. Depending on the research, additional precautions and/or alternate disposal considerations may be required for animals exposed chemical, or radioactive materials. If you are unsure of how to safely and correctly dispose of animal remains, contact EH&S at hazwaste@calpoly.edu.

• Dead Animals - Roadkill, etc.

  Contact the Facilities Management & Development Help Center at 805-756-5555 or at facilities-cbs@calpoly.edu.

• Electronics

  Electronic waste contains components with metals and chemicals that can be harmful if disposed of in regular trash. For broken electronics, Cal Poly surplus provides free e-waste recycling services.

  Small items can be dropped in the e-waste bins located at the Housing Post locations on campus (Pacheco, Canyon, YTT) or directly to surplus at Building 82.

  For larger items, request a pickup.

• Empty Containers Previously Containing Chemicals

  Even when empty, containers that held hazardous materials may retain residues that pose health or environmental risks. These are called Extremely Hazardous Materials. Extremely Hazardous Materials and are dangerous even in residual amounts. If the chemical is on this list, submit an expired material waste pickup request using this form to have the empty container properly managed.

  If the material is not listed as an Extremely Hazardous Material, you may reuse the container in your lab or shop for accumulating hazardous waste, as long as the new waste is compatible with the container’s previous contents.

  If reuse is not possible or not needed, and the container is 5 gallons or less in capasity, deface the label and recycle or dispose of the container in the regular trash as appropriate.

  Note: To be considered "empty" in CA, there must be no liquid stream when inverted (a few drops are acceptable) and the containers are properly capped.

• Exit Signs

  Standard electrically powered exit signs contain electronic components that should not be placed in regular trash. Some exit signs use tritium, a radioactive gas, to provide illumination without electricity. If damaged or improperly disposed of, they can release radioactive material and pose environmental and regulatory concerns.

  Contact hazwaste@calpoly.edu to arrange a pickup.

• Fire Extinguisher

  Please contact Environmental Health and Safety at environmental-health-safety@calpoly.edu

• Flammables

  Flammable liquids, gases, and solids can ignite easily and pose fire and safety hazards if handled or disposed of improperly. These materials must be stored, used, and managed according to safety guidelines to prevent fires, spills, and exposure.

  For disposal, please log in to the RSS WASTe Hazardous Waste Tracking Program to create a waste Tag and request a pickup. Or submit an expired material waste pickup request using this form.

• Food

  If you have a large portion of usable food, the Cal Poly Food Pantry welcomes donations of unopened foods and hygiene items, as well as school supplies. Donated items can be dropped off at the Food Pantry anytime during open hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Your help is needed to support our mission to feed the Mustang community--so please donate today!

  For questions regarding donating to the Food Pantry, contact Taffy Gonzalez, Food Pantry Coordinator, at tgonza20@calpoly.edu or contact a local food bank for donation.

• Furniture

  Please contact Cal Poly Surplus at 805-756-5449 or at surplus@calpoly.edu to request a pickup.

• Light Bulbs - CFL

  Compact fluorescent lamps contain small amounts of mercury, which can be harmful if the bulb breaks or is thrown away in regular trash.

  Submit an expired material waste pickup request using this form.

• Light Bulbs - Fluorescent or LED

  Fluorescent bulbs contain small amounts of mercury, and both fluorescent and LED bulbs include electronic components that shouldn’t go in regular trash.

  Submit an expired material waste pickup request using this form.

• Light Bulbs - Incandescent

  Incandescent bulbs do not contain hazardous materials, but they can break easily and create injury risks. These bulbs can typically be disposed of in the regular trash, though they should be carefully wrapped to prevent breakage (placed in a taped cardboard box or other means to protect those handling rubbish).

• Mercury Thermometers

  Mercury thermometers contain elemental mercury, which is toxic and can be difficult to clean up if the thermometer breaks. They must be collected through approved disposal or recycling programs to prevent mercury release and ensure safe handling.

  Please log in to the RSS WASTe Hazardous Waste Tracking Program to create a waste Tag and request a pickup. Or submit an expired material waste pickup request using this form.

• Nanoparticles

  Wastes containing engineered nanoparticles must be disposed of as hazardous waste.

  Please log in to the RSS WASTe Hazardous Waste Tracking Program to create a waste Tag and request a pickup. Or submit an expired material waste pickup request using this form

• Needles and Syringes

  If you are working in a research facility, there should be specific containers labeled for the disposal of sharps. Please contact your laboratory safety contact if you are unsure about where to locate these containers. Reference the EH&S Program "One-Sheet" Fact Sheet for more details, or contact hazwaste@calpoly.edu for questions about handling and disposal.

  If you find sharps on campus and are unsure what to do with them, please contact EH&S at 805-756-5555 to request a pickup.

  Note: Do not touch needles or sharps if you are unsure of what may be on them.

• Oil and Grease (Animal- or Vegetable-Based)

  If you are in a restaurant on campus, contact a grease recycling vendor for pickup.

  If you are not affiliated with a restaurant, freeze the grease in a large freezer and place it in the trash the same day as pickup.

  Note: Grease should never be poured down the sink because it can solidify in plumbing, causing blockages, backups, and costly damage to campus wastewater systems. Do NOT drain dispose of grease.

• Oil and Grease (Fuel- or Petroleum-Based)

  Fuel and petroleum products can contaminate soil and water and pose fire risks if not handled correctly.

  Please log in to the RSS WASTe Hazardous Waste Tracking Program to create a waste Tag and request a pickup. Or submit an expired material waste pickup request using this form

• Paint

  Liquid paint should not be poured down drains or thrown in regular trash because it can contaminate wastewater and the environment. It is not legal to intentionally open paint containers to let them dry. However, if paint has already dried solid in its container, it may be disposed of in the regular trash.

  Proper collection and disposal are required for all liquid paint. Submit an expired material waste pickup request using this form.

• Pesticides

  Pesticides contain chemicals designed to control pests, but these same ingredients can harm people, wildlife, and the environment if disposed of improperly. Expired or unwanted pesticides must be collected through proper disposal channels to prevent contamination of soil, water, and air. Submit an expired material waste pickup request using this form.

• Plastic Bags

  Plastic bags can jam recycling machinery and contaminate recycling streams. Therefore they can not be placed in standard campus recycling bins. Whenever possible, they should be reused to reduce waste. When no longer usable, they should be taken to designated plastic bag recycling drop-offs – commonly found at supermarkets and Target stores. If recycling is not an option, plastic bags must be placed in the landfill trash receptacle.

• Scrap Metal

  Submit a Facilities Work Order for scrap metals bins which are full and need to be emptied. Or contact Facilities Customer & Business Services at facilities-cbs@calpoly.edu.

• Sharps - Abandoned

  Please contact hazwaste@calpoly.edu to request a pickup.

  Note: Do not touch needles or sharps if you are unsure of what may be on them.

• Sharps - Biological

  If you are working in a research facility, there should be specific containers labeled for the disposal of sharps.Please contact your laboratory safety contact if you are unsure about where to locate these containers. Reference the EH&S Program "One-Sheet" Fact Sheet for more details, or contact hazwaste@calpoly.edu for questions about handling and disposal.

  If you find sharps on campus and are unsure what to do with them, please contact hazwaste@calpoly.edu to request a pickup.

  Note: Do not touch needles or sharps if you are unsure of what may be on them.

• Sharps - Chemical

  Please log in to the RSS WASTe Hazardous Waste Tracking Program to create a waste Tag and request a pickup.

• Sharps - Personal

  You are responsible for disposing of your own needles.

  Note: There is a sharps disposal bin available in the Health Center, located in Building 27. Also, if you live in a campus residence hall, there are approved sharps containers available.

• Styrofoam
  • Ship it back to vendors that will take it back.
  • Reuse it for personal shipping needs.
  • Throw it away in a landfill bin.
• Toner Cartridges

  Cal Poly uses the Konica Minolta Clean Planet Program, managed by Ultrex, for recycling all brands of empty toner/ink cartridges; contact cpservice@ultrex.net to get prepaid boxes and arrange free pickups, as they take verything from Konica Minolta to HP, Brother, etc., with no packaging needed in the box.

• Used Filters

  If the filter(s) is/are not contaminated with chemicals, metals, or other hazardous materials, dispose of it in the trash.

  If the filters contain any hazardous materials, please log in to the RSS WASTe Hazardous Waste Tracking Program to create a waste Tag and request a pickup. Or submit an expired material waste pickup request using this form