Questions About the Program
- Contact sustainNU at sustainNU@northwestern.edu.
- Visit the sustainNU website for other sustainability initiatives and to ways to connect.
Northwestern University offers a computer and electronic recycling ("eCycling") program through SustainNU
Faculty and staff members StudentsElectronic equipment contains materials that can be hazardous to human health and the environment if they are not properly managed. Computer monitors contain an average of four pounds of lead and require special handling at the end of their lives. Electronics can also contain chromium, cadmium, mercury, beryllium, nickel, zinc, and brominated flame retardants.
Electronics comprise approximately 1-4 percent of the municipal solid waste stream. The National Safety Council projects that nearly 250 million computers will become obsolete in the next five years, so the number of computers that need to be disposed of will continue to grow.