Mohawk’s waste programs help to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill and supports recycling and composting on campus. Learn more about how waste is sorted on campus and about the special collection options.
Waste Reduction
Knowing what goes where when sorting waste helps to reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfill and allows for more items to be recycled and composted. Mohawk provides waste sorting stations on campus to support waste sorting and to reduce our overall impact.
Centralized Waste Stations
The Centralized Waste Stations allow you to sort and dispose of your organics, clean containers and landfill items; each bin has corresponding signage outlining what items belong in each stream.
A sink in the waste station allows users to rinse dirty containers before recycling.
The Central Waste Stations can be found in the cafeterias at Fennell and Stoney Creek Campuses.
Hallway Waste Bins
Waste sorting bins are located throughout the hallways at each campus.
The bins have receptacles for:
- Clean Containers
- Clean Paper
- Non-recyclable waste (Landfill)
Plastics/Containers Recycling
Lids and labels must be removed from plastic water bottles before putting the bottles in the plastics recycling bin (the lid and label go into the landfill bin).
Food containers must be emptied and rinsed clean before they can go in the plastics recycling bin (food waste belongs in the organics bin and the centralized waste stations provide sinks for rinsing).
Check out the Single Use Plastics Policy to learn more about how we are reducing the amount of plastic used on campus.
Refillable water stations have been installed around the college at Fennell, Stoney Creek, and the Institute of Applied Health Sciences at McMaster campus to encourage the use of reusable water bottles.
Paper & Cardboard Recycling
Plain paper, newspaper, magazines and clean cardboard can be put in the paper and cardboard recycling bins.
Greasy cardboard, such as pizza boxes must go in the organics bin, as the grease makes it non-recyclable.
Organics Recycling
Food waste, greasy cardboard or paper plates, paper straws and napkins all belong in the organics recycling bins.
Organics bins are located at the Cafeteria Waste Stations and the MSA food service area.
At the hallway waste stations, organics go in the landfill bin.
Landfill
All waste that cannot be recycled goes in the landfill bins. This includes Styrofoam and black plastics.
Waste Special Collections
Certain items such as batteries and e-waste require special collection. The categories below cannot be disposed of through regular waste streams. Please see below for a complete list of items with information on where to drop off your items and who to contact for more information.
Batteries
Some examples include:
- Alkaline Batteries
- 6 Volt
- 9 Volt
- AA, AAA, C, D
- Lithium batteries
- Button cell batteries
- Rechargeable batteries
- Corroded, leaking batteries and damaged (placed in a bag)
Details
Mohawk Sustainability has teamed up with Raw Materials Company Inc. (RMC) to bring an on-campus battery recycling program. All students, staff and faculty are encouraged to bring their used batteries to the specified locations.
Battery bin locations include:
- Fennell Campus: In the hallway between the Campus Bookstore (C068) and the cafeteria (next to the green e-waste cabinet), in the hallway beside E006
- Stoney Creek Campus: Outside C131, near C wing north exit (next to the yellow e-waste cabinet)
- IAHS Campus: IAHS Library, Room 104
*Note: Battery terminals must be taped prior to disposal
For more information on how to prepare your batteries for recycling, please visit Raw Materials Company.
Contact
Ashley Packer
Coordinator, Sustainability Programs and Services
ashley.packer [at] mohawkcollege.ca (ashley[dot]packer[at]mohawkcollege[dot]ca)
E-waste
Some examples include:
- Computer equipment
- Cell phones
- TV’s
- Monitors
- Cameras
- Power supplies
- Cables
- Wires
- Printers (under 90kg)
- Projectors
- Speakers
- Microwaves
Details
In partnership with Quantum Lifecycle Partners, we offer a year-round electronic recycling service that is available for all students, staff and faculty to use.
Please Note: It is the responsibility of the disposer to remove or destroy any confidential information from electronic devices. College computer equipment is exempt from collection. All Mohawk College IT Assets must be disposed of directly by the IT department.
E-Waste can be dropped off at the locations listed below:
- Fennell Campus: Green cabinet located in the hallway between the Campus Bookstore (C068) and the cafeteria
- Stoney Creek Campus: 2 yellow cabinets outside C131, near C wing north exit
Contact
Ashley Packer
Coordinator, Sustainability Programs and Services
ashley.packer [at] mohawkcollege.ca (ashley[dot]packer[at]mohawkcollege[dot]ca)
E-waste (Large items)
Details
For larger items that do not fit in the e-waste cabinet, please contact Ashley Packer to arrange for storage/disposal.
Contact
Ashley Packer
Coordinator, Sustainability Programs and Services
ashley.packer [at] mohawkcollege.ca (ashley[dot]packer[at]mohawkcollege[dot]ca)
Fluorescent Light Tubes
Details
The department requesting this service is responsible for the cost of disposal and will need to arrange payment with the vendor, Raw Materials Company. Contact Ashley Packer for a list of pricing and/or to coordinate a pick up.
Contact
Ashley Packer
Coordinator, Sustainability Programs and Services
ashley.packer [at] mohawkcollege.ca (ashley[dot]packer[at]mohawkcollege[dot]ca)
Furniture
Details
All office layout changes and/or furniture removal and disposal request should be routed through the Planning and Programming Services office. This includes any addition or removal of desks, chairs, cabinets, tables, hutches, credenzas, and all fixed ergonomic accessories (e.g. monitor arms & keyboard trays).
The condition of surplus furniture is evaluated and repurposed when feasible – otherwise, the Property Services department will dispose of the item(s) in a bulk waste bin.
Contact
Dana Cavarzan
Planning Officer, Planning & Programming Services
dana.cavarazan [at] mohawkcollege.ca (dana[dot]cavarazan[at]mohawkcollege[dot]ca)
Hazardous Waste
Some examples include:
- Contaminated Solids
- Corrosive Liquids
- Flammable Liquids
- Recyclable Cleaning Compounds
Details
Mohawk College has an ongoing agreement with Photech Environmental Solutions for hazardous waste disposal at all campuses. Arrangements for pick up and disposal of hazardous waste can be made by contacting Photech directly at 1-877-938-9465.
Contact
Contact Occupational Health and Safety at ohsmohawk [at] mohawkcollege.ca (ohsmohawk[at]mohawkcollege[dot]ca) with any questions or concerns.
Large items, cardboard
Details
If you need to dispose of large items which cannot be safely placed within regular waste stations please contact maintenance.
Please include “Waste Pickup” and the room number in the subject line. Ex. “Waste Pickup: EA409” Within the body of the email, please give a description of the waste which requires collection.
*Note: please do not leave cardboard boxes in hallways, this is a fire hazard. Break down boxes and leave them within the specified room.
Contact
maintenance [at] mohawkcollege.ca (maintenance[at]mohawkcollege[dot]ca)
Masks/PPE
Examples
- Non-medical masks
- N95
- KN95
- Surgical masks
- Non-woven disposable masks
*Note: Cloth masks are not accepted
Details
In partnership with Terracycle, we offer a mask recycling program for students, staff and faculty to dispose of used masks.
Mask recycling locations include:
- Cummings Library (next to the front desk)
- 1st floor EA-wing, outside the Digital Creativity Centre (DCC)
- A-wing main entrance
- Main entrance
Contact
Ashley Packer
Coordinator, Sustainability Programs and Services
ashley.packer [at] mohawkcollege.ca (ashley[dot]packer[at]mohawkcollege[dot]ca)
IT equipment/ College laptops
Details
The IT Service Walk-Up Desk in Fennell C120 is open for laptop loans and support Monday to Friday 7:30 am to 4:30 pm. IT equipment and College laptops requiring disposal can be brought to the IT desk during these hours.
Contact
Local Phone Number: 905-575-2199
Toll-free: 1-866-601-8445
Internal extension: 2199