Used batteries are collected in the “Auspackraum” (central waste collection point) in M 541. Please place used batteries in the green barrel one by one. Do not deposit or dispose of your batteries in cartons, bags or other containers.
The University of Konstanz is part of the Gemeinsames Rücknahmesystem GRS (collective returns system), which means that the colour coding (green barrel) will be familiar to you from your local shops.
High-performance batteries like those used in laptops and mobile phones, rechargeable lithium (Li)- or nickel (Ni) batteries as well as batteries containing free fluids, e.g. lead acid batteries, must not be put in the green barrel. Please leave them on the lower shelf of the counter.
For security reasons, please tape any contacts on lithium, high-performance or rechargeable batteries (e.g. with clear tape). If you choose to ignore this advice, you run the risk of causing a short circuit that may lead to heat generation, fire or the leakage of substances that are harmful to humans and the environment.
Defective lithium-based rechargeable batteries should be left at the “Sonderabfallstelle” (hazardous waste collection point)!
Further information on batteries and recycling batteries.
Hard glass (laboratory glass) and soft glass (glass packaging) need to be collected separately for recycling.
Please rinse brown bottles that contained chemicals, let them dry and bring them without lid to the hazardous waste collection point (Sonderabfallannahme).
Hard glass includes:
- laboratory glass (round-bottom flask, Erlenmeyer flask, beakers, laboratory bottles, desiccators, filter flasks, funnels etc.) labelled “Schott/Duran”
- laboratory apparatuses manufactured in the glass blowing workshop (condensation traps, vacuum plants, coolers, distillers, Pasteur pipettes etc.)
- optical glass (lenses, prisms)
- window panes
Before dispensing hard glass contaminated with hazardous substances, you have to remove chemical residues and labels.
Please also rinse soft glass (glass packaging) and bring it to room M541, where glass (white, brown and green) is collected for recycling.
Soft glass includes:
- beverage bottles
- jars
- drinking glasses
Iron scrap and non-ferrous metals are valuable resources and should not be disposed of in the residual waste.
Smaller amounts of non-ferrous metals, iron and steel scrap should be placed in the scrap metal container in the “Auspackraum” (central waste collection point) in M 541. Please contact Facility Management to dispose of larger quantities of scrap metal.
All metals must be clean and free from chemical residues or other harmful contaminants.
Packaging including tin cans, drink cans, metal fasteners, aluminium containers, lids and foil should be disposed of with scrap metal and not be put in the yellow bins.
Please dispose of aluminium wrapping separately by using the appropriate bin!
Please hand in any aluminium containers used to store chemicals (e.g. bottles used for storing ether) to the “Sonderabfallsammelstelle” (hazardous waste collection point) in the “Chemieinnenhof” (Chemistry inner courtyard)!
Without data in need of protection
DVDs, CDs, audio tapes, cassettes, slide films etc. can be disposed of in M 541 (“Auspackraum”).
Plastic and paper packaging should be removed and disposed of separately.
Hard drives and USB drives should not be taken to the “Auspackraum”. Please include them with the electronic waste.
With data in need of protection
Data storage devices that contain confidential or private data must be disposed of in M541d ("Altgeräteraum") during opening hours on Thursdays from 10:00-11:00.
This includes intact and/or damaged USB and hard drives, but not devices with a display such as smartphones or tablets.
Further informatio is available under „Datenträgerentsorgung“ des Bayerischen Landesbeauftragten für den Datenschutz (in German, guideline on the disposal of data storage devices from the Bavarian commissioner for data protection).
Empty toner cartridges used in laser printers and cartridges used in inkjet printers can be disposed of in the “Auspackraum” (M 541).
E-waste includes any used electrical and electronic appliances and parts, such as:
- refrigerators, freezers, coffee machines etc.
- telephones
- computers
- monitors
- printers
- keyboards
- CD drives
- hard drives, USB drives, microfiches and other storage devices
- circuit boards
- wires/cables
Before disposing of defective computers, monitors, printers (no toner or print cartridges), etc., please find out whether these can be repaired in a timely and cost-effective manner. Please contact KIM Basic Services if you require assistance.
The “Altgeräteannahmestelle” in M 541d (used equipment collection point) is open on Thursdays from 10:00 – 11:00. Please include an Antrag zur Aussonderung nicht mehr benötigter Geräte (request for disposal of equipment no longer needed) when disposing of your used equipment. You may obtain a copy of the form from the "Altgeräteannahmestelle" (used equipment collection point) or download a copy.
If you have questions or need to make an appointment, please email altgeraete@uni-konstanz.de .
If the used equipment contains CFC-free coolants (ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, etc.) or PCB-free oils, these materials must be disposed of separately and taken to the hazardous waste collection point ("Sonderabfallannahme"). There is an exception for cooling liquids in refrigerators and freezers. Please take the equipment (without coolants/oils, where applicable) to the used equipment collection point (M 541d).
Used equipment containing other hazardous substances must be labelled accordingly, with all such substances clearly listed. Before disposing of such equipment, please make arrangements with the hazardous waste team.
Equipment containing asbestos must be packed in suitable bags (for asbestos) before transport. You can pick up bags from the hazardous waste team.
Equipment that was exposed to hazardous materials, biohazards or radioactive substances must be decontaminated prior to disposal. After successful decontamination, please also remove any hazardous materials labels.
Manufacturers must take back any electrical appliances sold after 13.08.2005.
The "Altgeräteannahmestelle" also serves as a used equipment pool. Please email altgeraete@uni-konstanz.de if you would like to obtain used equipment or spare parts.
You may buy some of our used equipment and used parts for private use. If you’re interested, please contact altgeraete@uni-konstanz.de.
You can dispose of small amounts of wood waste in the “Auspackraum” M541. If possible, please disassemble your used wooden furniture and remove any metal fittings and parts.
Please contact Facility Management if you need to dispose of larger quantities of wood waste.
Wood waste must not be mixed with other kinds of waste such as construction or bulky waste.
Plastic waste that does not have the Green Dot can be disposed of in the “Auspackraum” M 541.
There, you will find various containers for plastic waste and plastic foils.
Plastics must be recycled by kind, which means that plastic containers made from HDPE (high-density polyethylene, PE-HD) must be disposed of separately. Please take note of the labelling!
Under no circumstances should plastic waste be contaminated with hazardous materials. Bottles or canisters used for storing acids, leaches, or household cleaning detergents should be rinsed thoroughly with water. Containers that cannot be cleaned by simple means must be disposed of with hazardous waste.
Lighting free of harmful substances may be disposed of as residual waste.
These include:
- light bulbs
- halogen bulbs
- reflector lamps
Lighting containing harmful substances such as mercury or natrium must be disposed of in the “Auspackraum” M 541 (central waste collection point).
These include:
- LED lamps
- fluorescent tubes
- non-tubular fluorescent lamps
- compact fluorescent lamps
- energy-saving lamps
- HID lamps (high and low intensity discharge lamps)
- cathode ray tubes, counter tubes and unknown special formats
Please pay attention to the labelling and images on the various containers!
Foam waste can be disposed of in M 541 (“Auspackraum”).
Foams are disposed of according to kind:
- foam with film
- foam
Please take note of the labelling on the containers!
Please only include bulky objects that do not belong to any other kind of waste (e.g. wood, scrap metal, construction waste), e.g. bulky objects made from a mixture of wood, metal and plastic.
All inventoried objects must be removed from the inventory list prior to disposal.
Smaller quantities of bulky objects may be taken to the “Auspackraum” (M 541). Please contact Facility Management if you need to dispose of larger quantities.
Polystyrene can be disposed of in the “Auspackraum” (M 541).
Polystyrene is divided into two categories:
- polystyrene flakes (no biodegradable plastics of plant starch)
- white polystyrene parts
Please take note of the labelling on the containers!
Polystyrene parts of different colours must be disposed of in the yellow bin bags. The polystyrene parts must be free from labels and adhesives and/or tape.