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 makes a good-faith effort not to sell items suspected of containing asbestos. Due to the widespread use of asbestos, it is not feasible to eliminate all items containing asbestos from the sales pool.  Any items suspected of containing asbestos will be refused by MSU Surplus Store & Recycling Center Staff until it is tested by a licensed individual. Use this form to contact EHS for testing.

Items that should NOT BE sent to Surplus (even just for scrap) without first being evaluated by EHS:

• Fire Doors (wood or metal)
• Floor tile (used or new old stock)
  
• Ovens, autoclaves or other lab equipment with woven door gaskets
  
• Woven lab gloves (unless the tag states “asbestos free”)
  
• Fume hoods
  
• Stone bottle drying racks
  
• Wooden flammable cabinets
  
• Fireproof file cabinets & safes
  
• Lab countertops and non-metal sinks 
  
• Sinks with spray-on undercoating
  
• Any piece of equipment with a woven, braided or cloth covered electrical cord
  
• Vintage items (electronics, Christmas decorations etc.)

2.2. Batteries

It is important to note that the MSU battery disposal program is for batteries generated only through University operations, including MSU residence buildings.  Batteries CANNOT be brought from home and disposed of at MSU.  The EHS Hazardous Waste Group manages a battery program to ensure proper disposal of these materials.  Locations of battery disposal stations and additional guidance for disposal of alkaline, lead-acid, heavy metal, and lithium batteries can be found in the Waste Section of the EHS website.
 
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 separated from the fixture and collected for disposal through the EHS Hazardous Waste Program.  Disposal guidance for PCB ballasts can be found in the Waste Section of the EHS Website.   

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. 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 will be completed by EHS 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.

*Note: The relinquishing department will be responsible for the cost of decontaminating equipment sent to Surplus without being properly decontaminated before pick-up.

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, has not been decontaminated and/or does not have a completed Equipment Release Form attached to it.

*Note: The relinquishing department will be responsible for the cost of decontaminating equipment sent to Surplus without being properly decontaminated before pick-up.

2.6.6. Lab Refrigerators & Freezers

MSU Surplus & Recycling Store will accept refrigerators and freezers used in labs for chemical or biological purposes for recycling only. All refrigerators and freezers must be properly decontaminated (by the lab) and have a completed Equipment Release Form attached. These refrigerators and freezers will not be sold to the public. 

*Note: The relinquishing department will be responsible for the cost of decontaminating refrigerators or freezers sent to Surplus without being properly decontaminated before pick-up. 

2.6.7. 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.

*Note: The relinquishing department will be responsible for the cost of decontaminating laminar flow/clean benches sent to Surplus without being properly decontaminated before pick-up. 

2.6.8. Lasers & X-Ray Equipment

MSU Surplus Store & Recycling Center will not accept any lasers or x-ray equipment without consent and documented approval of the EHS Laser Safety Officer (LSO). Contact EHS for approval. 

Disposal of lasers or x-ray equipment is ultimately the responsibility of the current owner/department. Contact EHS for disposal guidance.
 
2.6.9. Transformers and Capacitors

MSU Surplus Store & Recycling Center will not accept oil-filled transformers and capacitors. They must be collected for disposal through the EHS Hazardous Waste Group by submitting a Hazardous Waste Request.
 
2.7. Paints, Cleaners and Other Chemical Products

MSU Surplus Store & Recycling Center will not directly accept any paint, cleaning or other chemical products.  These items must first go to EHS Hazardous Waste, who will work with Surplus to determine if they are saleable.  Disposal guidance for paints and chemicals is located in the Waste Section of the EHS website.  

2.8. Barrels/Drums

MSU Surplus Store & Recycling Center will not accept any empty barrels or drums for disposal. Empty drums and barrels must be disposed of through the EHS Hazardous Waste Program.

2.9. 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 & Recycling will accept unopened, non-expired N-95 filtering facemasks. These CAN NOT be resold to other University departments but may be sold to the public.

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.