MSU Surplus Store & Recycling Center has the following material acceptance guidelines. Materials that are accepted by MSU Surplus Store & Recycling Center as detailed below can be picked up by submitting an online Service Request or by bringing the materials to MSU Surplus Store & Recycling Center. 

 

 2.1 Asbestos Containing Materials

The University does not sell any items containing asbestos materials. Depending on how they are used, even items that are not damaged or friable may still pose a health risk. Any suspect material will be refused by MSU Surplus Store & Recycling Center Staff until it is tested for asbestos content.

 

2.2. Batteries

2.2.1. Lead Acid Batteries

MSU Surplus Store & Recycling Center will accept large lead acid batteries used in automobiles, lawn equipment, boats, etc. Batteries showing any type of leakage may be disposed of by submitting a Hazardous Waste Pickup Request on EHS’ website.

2.2.2. Alkaline Batteries

New: MSU Departments can send unused batteries in their original packaging through campus mail to the Surplus Store in an envelope or unused copy paper box. If there is more than a copy paper box a Pickup Request Form (PURF) needs to be filled out on MSU Surplus Store’s website.

Used Alkaline: MSU Surplus Store & Recycling Center accepts used batteries from high generating locations on campus.  Select locations are provided with a 5 gallon bucket for battery collection. Collected batteries containing 80% or more of their original charge are sold for reuse through the MSU Surplus Store.  Batteries that contain less than 80% are sent to a company who specializes in battery recycling.  Due to the high cost of recycling batteries, only batteries generated from campus use will be accepted – batteries generated at home should be recycled through local collection or take-back programs.

2.2.3. Rechargeable Batteries

MSU Surplus Store & Recycling Center accepts rechargeable batteries from campus.  Common types of rechargeable batteries include Nickel-cadmium, Lithium ion, Nickel-metal hydride, and Lithium-ion polymer.  Batteries should be segregated, stored and labeled per the MSU Waste Disposal Guide, Page 12.https://ehs.msu.edu/_assets/docs/waste/msu-waste-disposal-guide.pdf  Batteries over 9 volt should be stored such that the terminal ends are not touching.  A pickup request should be submitted to SSRC for collection.

 

2.3. Fluorescent Light Fixtures

MSU Surplus Store & Recycling Center will accept fluorescent light fixtures with electronic ballasts. MSU Surplus Store & Recycling Center cannot accept light fixtures with PCB ballasts.  All PCB light ballasts must be collected for disposal through EHS by submitting an online Hazardous Waste Pickup Request.

 

2.4. Fluorescent Light Tubes

MSU Surplus Store & Recycling Center will accept fluorescent light tubes with silver and green ends when placed in approved cardboard boxes, taped closed, and labeled “used lamps.” Approved boxes can be obtained from MSU Surplus Store & Recycling Center.

 

2.5. Glassware and Other Lab Ware

MSU Surplus Store & Recycling Center will accept lab glassware placed in a box with a completed Equipment Release Form attached to the box. Glassware and other small items with visible or obvious chemical residues will not be accepted by MSU Surplus Store & Recycling Center or sold to the public.

 

2.6. Equipment

2.6.1. Mercury Containing

Equipment that contains mercury will not be accepted by MSU Surplus Store & Recycling Center or sold to the public. It is the responsibility of the department sending the equipment to MSU Surplus Store & Recycling Center to determine if mercury is present.  See EPA document: Recommended Management and Disposal Options for Mercury-Containing Products for a list of items that may contain mercury. http://www.epa.gov/hg/mgmt_options.html  Examples of equipment that may contain mercury include the following:

• Thermometers and Thermostats
• Ovens
• Chest-type freezers/refrigerators/incubators with a top lid (lid may contain mercury)
• Sphygmomanometers (blood pressure cuffs)
• Switches
• Pressure control devices and gauges
• Manometers and barometers
• Polargraphic analyzers
• Other laboratory instrumentation

If a department has a piece of equipment that is being decommissioned and contains mercury, the department shall contact MSU EHS for further guidance and assistance in disposing of this equipment. Evaluation of equipment should be in its original location – do not send the item to MSU Surplus Store and Recycling for evaluation.

2.6.2. Laboratory

Requirements for the decontamination of laboratory equipment prior to acceptance by MSU Surplus Store & Recycling Center will depend on the hazards associated with the equipment. In all cases, it is the responsibility of the Principal Investigator or his/her representative to decontaminate the equipment and remove hazard warning labels from the equipment PRIOR to pick up by MSU Surplus Store & Recycling Center. All decontaminated laboratory equipment must have a completed Equipment Release Form attached or it will not be picked up.

2.6.3. Radioactive Materials

Departments that wish to have equipment that was used with radioactive materials picked up by MSU Surplus Store & Recycling Center must first call EHS for a radiation survey. When EHS determines that the equipment may be picked up by MSU Surplus Store & Recycling Center, EHS staff will place a completed Equipment Release Form on the equipment.  MSU Surplus Store & Recycling Center will not accept equipment that has the radioactive hazard warning symbol. These may be disposed of by submitting a Radioactive Waste Pickup Request through EHS.

2.6.4. Biological Materials

Equipment that may be contaminated with biological hazards must be decontaminated by laboratory staff prior to MSU Surplus Store & Recycling Center pickup. Once decontaminated, laboratory staff must remove hazard warning labels and attach a completed Equipment Release Form. MSU Surplus Store & Recycling Center will not accept equipment that is marked with hazard warning labels and/or does not have a completed Equipment Release Form attached to it.

2.6.5. Chemical Materials

Equipment that may be contaminated with chemical hazards is to be decontaminated by laboratory staff prior to MSU Surplus Store & Recycling Center pickup. Once decontaminated, laboratory staff must remove hazard warning labels and attach a completed Equipment Release Form. MSU Surplus Store & Recycling Center will not accept equipment that is marked with hazard warning labels and/or does not have a completed Equipment Release Form attached to it.

 

2.7. Refrigerators

Refrigerators that have been used to store chemicals or biological hazards must be decontaminated or cleaned, the hazard warning labels removed and a completed Equipment Release Form must be attached prior to acceptance from MSU Surplus Store & Recycling Center.  MSU Surplus Store & Recycling Center will reclaim the Freon storing it in approved tanks.  Once these tanks are full they will be sent out for recycling.   These refrigerators will not be sold to the public.

 

2.8. Laminar Flow/Clean Benches & Biosafety Cabinets

Laminar flow/clean benches must be surface decontaminated by laboratory staff prior to pick up by MSU Surplus Store & Recycling Center. Once decontaminated, laboratory staff must attach a completed Equipment Release Form.  MSU Surplus Store & Recycling Center will not accept a laminar flow/clean bench without the attached Equipment Release Form.

MSU Surplus Store & Recycling Center will not pick up biological safety cabinets until clearance is provided by EHS Biosafety Staff. Laboratory staff must contact EHS Biological Safety Staff to arrange for an evaluation prior to arranging for MSU Surplus Store & Recycling Center pickup. MSU Surplus Store & Recycling Center will not accept biosafety cabinets without a written notice from EHS Biological Safety Personnel.

 

2.9. Lasers

MSU Surplus Store & Recycling Center will not accept any lasers without consent and documented approval of the EHS Laser Safety Officer (LSO). MSU Surplus Store & Recycling Staff may aid in the acquisition of a buyer, however, the sale must be preapproved by the University’s LSO and disposal of the laser is ultimately the responsibility of the current owner/department.

 

2.10. Transformers and Capacitors

MSU Surplus Store & Recycling Center will not accept transformers and capacitors. They must be collected for disposal through EHS by submitting a Hazardous Waste Pickup Request.

 

2.11. Paint and Chemical Products

MSU Surplus Store & Recycling Center will not accept any paint or chemical products unless preapproved by EHS. They must be collected for disposal through EHS by submitting a Hazardous Waste Pickup Request.

 

2.12. Barrels/Drums

MSU Surplus Store & Recycling Center will not accept any barrels or drums for disposal. Instead, customers wishing to dispose of these objects must contact EHS.

 

2.13. Miscellaneous Items

MSU Surplus Store & Recycling Center will not accept any laboratory/clinical needles, syringes and scalpel blades. They must be collected for disposal through EHS.

MSU Surplus Store & Recycling Center will not accept any N-95 filtering facemasks. They must be collected for disposal through EHS.

MSU Surplus Store & Recycling Center will not accept any gas cylinders. They must be collected for disposal through EHS.

MSU Surplus Store & Recycling Center will pick up shop equipment that has failed a MSU safety inspection; however it will not be resold to an MSU department. If there are questions on the safety of a machine, contact the Occupational Safety Team at 517-355-0153.