Sandia goes beyond basic recycling of common papers, plastics, and metals. We divert as many waste streams for recycling as feasible. The list of materials diverted grows every year. We regularly re-evaluate processes for efficiency and improved revenues as well. Revenue received from recycling goes back into the program to fund material streams that currently cost to process, and to improve and expand the waste reduction infrastructure.
To maintain constant improvement, Sandia/New Mexico has performed several waste audits to understand our waste output and the the status of our current recycling processes, and to identify and prioritize ways to improve and expand the processes and types of material diverted for recycle or composting.
Composting
Sandia/New Mexico sends green waste in the form of branches to Kirtland Air Force Base’s mulching program. Additionally, sensitive documents are destroyed onsite and the remains are sent locally for composting. Diversion continues to improve.
Electronics
If computer and laboratory equipment don’t find a reuse at Sandia, audited pathways exist to move the material offsite to be reused by other federal agencies, donated to New Mexico K-12 schools, sold at a local auction, or recycled domestically.
Computers, peripherals, and accessories for recycling go to e-Steward Certified facilities. Circuit boards are sent to a domestic precious metals recovery vendor. Currently being explored is the diversion of hard drive magnets for the capture and sale of the neodymium (“rare earth”) material.
In 2011, Sandia/New Mexico won the Federal Electronics Challenge (FEC) Silver award for its efforts regarding the life-cycle approach to computers, including recycling.