UIC Technology Solutions Supports Sustainability with Zoom Phone Recycling Program
As UIC transitions to Zoom Phone, the shift to a modern, flexible phone system offers more than just technical upgrades. This change also aligns with the university’s commitment to sustainability, ensuring that responsible technology management becomes a key part of the transition process. One such initiative is the introduction of a desk phone recycling program that directly supports these environmental goals.
Reducing Electronic Waste & Environmental Impact
By participating in this program, departments have the opportunity to reduce electronic waste, a growing concern in the world of technology. Legacy desk phones, if improperly disposed of, can end up in landfills, where they contribute to the environmental problem by releasing harmful materials into the soil and water. Proper recycling helps to mitigate this issue, reducing the environmental footprint of UIC’s technology infrastructure.
The process of recycling old desk phones involves careful, responsible steps to ensure compliance with both the university’s property management policies and environmental standards. After phones are collected from departments, they are sent to University Property Accounting for decommissioning. There, they are removed from asset records and processed responsibly, following university guidelines and environmental protocols. These phones may be repurposed and offered to other institutions in Illinois to use.
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As we transition to Zoom Phone, we’re empowering our campus to communicate using the same devices they already use for Zoom meetings—reducing the need for new hardware and lowering our environmental footprint. The desk phones we no longer need are being responsibly recycled and repurposed by other agencies, extending their useful life and supporting sustainability across the state.
| Technology Solutions Senior Project Manager
Department Collaboration for a Smooth Transition
While the technical aspects of recycling are important, the success of this program also depends on the collaboration of every department at UIC. The Zoom Phone migration process encourages each department to participate actively by following a few simple steps. Each department will receive a communication from the Zoom Phone Project Team, detailing the process and providing instructions for recycling old phones. A designated point of contact from each department will be identified, ensuring clear communication and a smooth process.
Once departments have gathered their legacy desk phones, they will be boxed and labeled for recycling. An inventory of the phones will be completed and verified by the department’s Business Manager, with any missing or damaged phones noted. This inventory form is then added to the ticket created by the Zoom Phone Project Team.
Coordinating the Pickup & Final Processing
The final step of the process involves coordinating the pickup of the phones. UIC’s Technology Solutions Warehouse Team schedules the movers who will pick up the phones and deliver them to University Property Accounting for processing. The department is responsible for ensuring that the boxes are accessible and that someone is available when the movers arrive.
This desk phone recycling program is more than just a routine task—it is a small but significant contribution to UIC’s sustainability efforts. Every phone that is properly recycled reduces the amount of e-waste in landfills and helps keep harmful materials out of the environment. Additionally, the program promotes a culture of responsible technology use and ensures that the university’s tech resources are managed in a way that supports long-term sustainability.
UIC Technology Solutions is proud to offer this program as part of the university’s broader environmental goals. By supporting these efforts, every department helps bring UIC closer to its sustainability objectives. Participating in the Zoom Phone recycling program is a simple yet impactful way for the UIC community to make a difference for the environment, supporting a greener, more sustainable campus for all.