Garbage Removal and Recycling
In removing garbage from your office, janitors will empty and remove garbage from waste receptacles only. Any extra garbage should be labeled as such, or tagged with a garbage or recycle label for easy identification. To inquire about these labels, please contact the Property Management Office.
Note: Any items too large to fit in the trash compactor (furniture, for example) are the responsibility of the Tenant.
Paper Products
The Summit has an “All Fiber Paper Products” recycling program in place for Recycling. This program virtually eliminates most things from your waste basket and redirects them to the recycle boxes. The general rule of thumb to follow is: IF IT’S PAPER, RECYCLE IT! There is no need to remove staples, paper clips, rubber bands, plastic tabs, labels, or spiral bindings. We do, however, encourage the re-use of large metal fasteners and binders.
The following is a list of what is unacceptable to place in the paper recycling boxes:
| Plastics | Food Waste | Wood/Metal |
| Toner Cartridges | Carbon Paper | Styrofoam |
| Binder/Binding Cases | Metal Drink Containers | Glass Containers |
| Food Containers/ Wrappers | Used Tissue/Paper Towels |
Please remember to flatten containers whenever possible.
Individual offices and workstations will be provided with desk-side recycling boxes. If you require extra, please contact Property Management.
The cleaning staff will empty your garbage cans and desk-side recycling boxes nightly. Please make your staff aware of this policy so that they do not store old papers that they may wish to refer to later in these recycling boxes. It is very unlikely that a piece of paper accidentally placed in the recycling container could ever be recovered. The material placed in the recycling boxes is emptied by housekeeping personnel into recycling containers on their carts. The bags from the carts are then emptied into the recycling compactor.
This process cannot ensure confidentiality. Therefore, we recommend that any sensitive information be shredded before it is placed in the recycling containers.
Glass, Plastic, and Metal
The Summit has a “Glass, Plastic, & Metal” recycling program in place. These materials can be comingled with paper and cardboard recycling. The following explains what products can and cannot be recycled:
| GLASS | METAL | PLASTIC |
| ACCEPTABLE | ||
| All colors of glass bottles and jars | Tin, steel, and aluminum cans and materials | Plastic containers |
| UNACCEPTABLE | ||
| Broken bottles | Paint cans | Plastic buckets with lids on |
| Glassware | Aerosol cans | Plastic containers with heavy food residue |
| Window or pane glass | Batteries | Plastic chemical containers |
Should you be hosting an event that requires an additional recycling pick-up, please contact the Property Management Office. Additional bins are also available should the needs of your office change in the future.
Lamps and Ballasts
Lamps, ballasts, and miscellaneous lighting are recycled through Ecolights Northwest.
E-Waste
Small office electronic equipment can be dropped off in the e-waste recycling bins located in the loading dock. Please contact the Property Management Office should you require clarification as to what is acceptable.
The following explains what electronic products can and cannot be recycled:
| ACCEPTABLE | ||
| Audio and Video Tapes | Laser and Inkjet Printers | DVD and VCR Players |
| Video Cameras | Medical Equipment | Radios, Two-Way Radios |
| CDs and DVDs | Modems | Fax Machines |
| Cell Phones, Accessories | Networking Hardware | Satellite TV Equipment |
| Computers, Accessories | Phones, Answering Machines | Laptops |
| Computer Monitors | Wires, Connectors, Cables | Typewriters |
| UNACCEPTABLE | ||
| Chemicals | Light Bulbs | Tires |
| Gasoline | Oil | Wood Furniture |
| Glass | Paint | Batteries |
| Printer, Toner Cartridges | ||
Recycling Tips
- Glass Recycling: Please do not break the bottles. Labels, corks, and metal rings do not have to be removed.
- Metal Recycling: Both steel and aluminum cans are acceptable. Flatten the metal cans to ensure that the use of the container is maximized. Cans should be rinsed clean. Labels do not have to be removed.
- Plastic Recycling: Refer to the bottom of the plastic container to identify the container code. Remove caps and flatten the containers wherever possible. Please rinse out the containers before placing them into the recycling bin.
Styrofoam Recycling
The Summit recycles expanded polystyrene products (commonly referred to as Styrofoam). All expanded polystyrene should be bagged or boxed and placed in the kitchen, where it will be picked up by the night janitors. Large pieces can be taken to the appropriate recycling bin, located at the loading dock on level P2 of the garage.
Composting
The Summit composts extensively. Each Tenant kitchen has a green compost bin which is emptied by the Janitorial staff. Please refer to the guide below for a partial list of items that can and cannot be composted. Please contact the Property Management Office should you require clarification as to what is acceptable.
The following explains what products can and cannot be composted:
| ACCEPTABLE | ||
| Meat, poultry, fish | Bread, dough, pasta | Waxed cardboard/paper |
| Egg shells/bones | Rice, grains | Uncoated paper cups/plates |
| Egg and dairy products | Coffee grounds and filters | Pizza boxes |
| Table and plate scrapings | Tea bags | Plants and flowers |
| Fruits and vegetables | Kitchen paper towels | Paper napkins |
| UNACCEPTABLE | ||
| Produce baskets/netting | Metal of any sort | Human waste/fluids |
| Plastic wrap | Rubber bands | Greases or liquids |
| Plastic-coated items | Latex or plastic gloves | Styrofoam |
| Garbage | Used tissues | Painted or treated wood |
