The Office of Sustainability is committed to help Temple staff and faculty reduce carbon impacts at the office.

Temple University believes that integrating sustainability into office environments has the power to unite staff and faculty around climate activism. By modeling sustainable best practices, we ensure that future leaders continue to embrace systems necessary to achieve a just climate future for all.

We encourage you to utilize the existing programs and contact the Office of Sustainability with ideas to grow green office resources and initiatives.

Recycle Your Printer and Toner Cartridges 

Temple University schools, colleges, and departments located in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania can participate in free and easy ink and toner cartridge recycling programs. Recycling your ink and toner cartridges is one way you can participate in the sustainable circular economy, a system that conserves energy, reduces air and water pollution, reduces greenhouse gases, and conserves natural resources. 

We've outlined the process below.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact the Office of Sustainability directly. You can also download this flyer for print. 

Temple Office Supply Swap

Temple Office Supply Swap (TOSS) is a program to promote waste minimization and reuse on campus. Temple University administrators, faculty, staff and students can drop off surplus office supplies or "shop" for supplies before buying new. TOSS shelves are located on Main and Health Science Center campuses.

TOSS locations: 

Office of Sustainability  
Howard Gittis Student Center   
Suite 101, vestibule    

Essential Needs Hub 
Howard Gittis Student Center 
Lower Level  

Student and Faculty Lounge 
Medical Education Research Building
Ground Floor 

Individuals and offices that participate in the program actively contribute to Temple's waste minimization goals outline in the Climate Action Plan. Is your office moving? Reach out to sustainability staff or email sustainability@temple.edu to schedule a TOSS pick-up.

University Surplus Program 

Surplus initiatives involve the collection, reuse and resale of university property and assets that are no longer actively used. Send off your unwanted and unused office furniture by completing the Surplus Property Removal form on TUmarketplace. If the item is an electronic (i.e., computer, projector, printer, television, etc.), you must complete the Computer Recycling Center (CRC)’s surplus equipment form. 

Non-electronic surplus property is available for redistribution for departmental use or donation to local non-profits. The items are free for departments, but you must place a work order for the transport of the items from the warehouse to your office. Want to see what low-cost surplus items are ready to be claimed for your department? Arrange a visit to the warehouse by emailing rtyler@temple.edu. 

Electronics Recycling Programs

The Computer Recycling Center (CRC) is an award-winning operation that gathers surplus computer and electronic equipment from around the university, refurbishes that equipment, if possible, redeploys the equipment where appropriate, and donates any unwanted usable equipment via the Digital Access Center. When appropriate, the CRC disposes unusable equipment in a secure, compliant manner. Some of their services include surplus equipment removal and cell phone recycling.

OWLtech REtech is Temple's home for refurbished computers, monitors, printers, and more. REtech has partnered with the CRC to provide a limited quantity of exclusive items for sale online. Business units across the university are encouraged to purchase sustainably and consider refurbished tech before buying new. Current Temple University students, faculty, and/or staff can also purchase items for personal use. Note: you must be signed in with your Temple SSO to browse offerings in the online shop.

Departmental Compost Program

The departmental compost program is a proactive way your department can support Temple’s Sustainability Action Plan goals and have a positive environmental impact. All Temple departments, offices, and business units with physical offices on Main Campus are eligible to take part in a compost program run by the Office of Sustainability.

By signing up for the program you will receive:

• Compost collection buckets 
• Training provided by Zero Waste EcoReps
• Weekly pick-ups during academic semesters
• Semesterly impact reports

Learn more about the program and acceptable food waste with this resource guide. Interested departments should fill out the Departmental Compost Program interest form and email compost@temple.edu with any questions.

3D Printer Waste Recycling 

The Office of Sustainability is sponsoring a pilot to understand the volume of waste that is produced from 3D printers. The data will help us to quantify the environmental impact of this technology and understand the long-term cost of maintaining a 3D printing waste program at Temple University.

Click here to learn more about the program. If you manage a space on Main Campus and are interested in participating in the pilot program, please email sustainability@temple.edu.