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Waste Minimization and Pollution Prevention at Purdue
Purdue University is committed to preserving a balance between protecting the health of people and the environment, while accommodating increasingly sophisticated and productive research operations. As specified in Executive Memorandum C36, University faculty, staff and students must comply with environmental, health, and safety laws and regulations issued by federal, state, and local agencies. Faculty, staff and students are required to comply with related University policies, procedures, and instructions. The Chemical Management Committee (CMC) requires each principal investigator/generator to certify their waste minimization efforts annually. Waste minimization is any action that reduces the amount and/or toxicity of chemical wastes that must be shipped off-site for disposal as hazardous waste. This is a national policy specifically mandated by the U.S. Congress in the national hazardous waste law, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). There is clear intent in RCRA, the Clean Air Act, and the Pollution Prevention Act to focus attention on source reduction and recycling as preferred environmental management approaches over the treatment, disposal, or release of harmful chemicals to the environment. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established its hierarchy of waste minimization approaches: reduce, recycle, and treatment.
Substitution of hazardous chemicals with non-hazardous ones is a simple way to minimize waste. For example: use Alconox for cleaning glassware instead of chromic acid based cleaners, and avoid mercury containing equipment whenever possible. Modification of procedures, processes or equipment can also lead to waste minimization. In laboratories where high volumes of spent solvents are generated, distillation would provide a cost effective means of re-using these solvents. Good laboratory practices such as computer modeling and small scale experiments can minimize waste, as well as purchasing only the amount and type of chemical needed for the experiment. Keeping hazardous waste separate from non-hazardous will reduce waste as will good inventory control, housekeeping, and training of personnel. Pollution Prevention and Waste Minimization Programs Batteries are found in countless devices used across campus. Cordless power tools, laptop computers, cellular and cordless telephones, digital cameras, laboratory equipment, and many other hand held devices are used throughout campus facilities and departments. Purdue recycles the following types of batteries: nickel cadmium (Ni-Cad), nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH), lithium ion, sealed lead acid, and mercury. When broken, these batteries can release heavy metals that damage the environment. Used batteries may be classified as hazardous waste due to their heavy metal content and are thus regulated under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). These regulations provide for management of hazardous wastes. The Universal Waste Rule is designed to reduce regulatory management requirements. The University manages used batteries as universal waste. The Universal Waste Rule promotes pollution prevention and waste minimization by encouraging the recycling of used batteries instead of less desirable methods of disposal such as land filling or incineration. Management Used batteries can be picked by completing a Hazardous Waste Pickup Request Form.
Any questions regarding this program please call Brian McDonald of REM at 63712.
Chemical Redistribution Program Occasionally REM receives chemicals of good enough quality that they can be redistributed to you. These chemicals will be materials in the original container with original labeling. The container may have been opened or never opened, half full or more, and uncontaminated (we will only do a visual check for contamination). The most common chemicals available for redistribution are listed below:
To inquire about chemicals for redistribution, contact Adam Krajicek via e-mail at arkrajicek@purdue.edu or call 496-3072. We will require the following information at that time: quantity and type of chemical, your name, phone #, building and room number.
Computer and Electronic Equipment Recycling Many people today are still unaware of the federal and state requirements for computer and electronic equipment disposal. Computer monitors contain materials that should be recycled. The Cathode Ray Tube or CRT is the viewing portion of computer monitors and televisions. The CRT contains hazardous material that needs to be recycled. In your discarded computer monitors, televisions, and other electronic equipment there are traces of lead, phosphorus, cadmium, barium, and mercury. As a product, these hazardous materials are safely sealed. When the CRT is left on a loading dock or in an outdoor storage area the potential for breakage is increased, and the hazardous materials may be released creating a potential hazard to faculty, staff, students and visitors. Placing these units outdoors is an unacceptable management practice. No monitors shall be placed in a campus dumpster. In addition, data in electronic storage media may be sensitive or restricted. If this equipment is not repurposed within the university, then equipment with usable life is resold to the general public. Otherwise, the equipment is recycled. To ensure the university manages this equipment in a secure and environmentally sound manner, please follow these steps:
For questions, concerns, or equipment pick up, please contact University Warehouse and Surplus at 742-4414 or 742-7386 or Radiological and Environmental Management at 49-63712.
Fluorescent Bulb and Ballast Recycling Fluorescent lamps illuminate countless classrooms, laboratories, and buildings on campus. HID lamps (mercury-vapor, metal-halide and high-pressure sodium) are used for streetlights, floodlights and shop lights. When broken, these lamps release mercury and other metals that damage the environment. The University manages used fluorescent lamps as universal waste. The Universal Waste Rule is designed to reduce regulatory management requirements. The Universal Waste Rule promotes pollution prevention and waste minimization by encouraging the recycling of used lamps instead of less desirable methods of disposal such as land filling or incineration.
Any questions regarding this program please call Rick Rolan of Zone 9 at 44885 or Brian McDonald of REM at 63712.
Used oil can be a valuable resource when it is properly managed to avoid release to the environment and recycled for utilization of its lubricant or fuel value. The State of Indiana has adopted Used Oil Management Standard; codified in Indiana Administrative Code 329 IAC 13, to encourage the recycling of used oil and promote its environmentally sound collection, storage, and management. The University also recognizes the need for waste minimization and proper management of used oil. University shops, farms, and other generators from campus generate on average 5,000 gallons of recyclable used oil annually. An outside vendor recycles this material at minimal cost to the University. All faculty and staff should participate in pollution prevention and waste minimization by recycling their used oil. Used oil is defined as any oil that has been refined from crude oil, or synthetic, and has been used and as a result of such use is contaminated by physical or chemical impurities.
A parts washer is used to remove residues such as, grease, wax and oil from metal parts, assemblies, and other fabricated products. Sink-type parts washers are a common site in shops across campus. Cleaning solutions used in parts washers include solvents and aqueous cleaners. Solvents clean by dissolving away dirt. Solvents include petroleum-based solvent mixtures such as mineral spirits, Stoddard solvent, petroleum naphtha, and pure organic solvents such as trichloroethane, trichloroethylene, benzene, and xylenes. Aqueous cleaners are pH-neutral or alkaline water-based solutions that break down and remove dirt from part surfaces. Semi-aqueous solutions that contain small amounts of solvents are also available. The University has found that solvent substitutes with lower volatility and higher flash points combined with simple changes in shops cleaning operations reduce waste generation, improve compliance, and increase safety, while saving money at the same time. The University is using three different sink-type parts washers. The first is a solvent exchange service. Waste (dirty) solvent is removed and reused as a roofing material component. The second sink-type parts washer uses a low volatile, high flash point solvent and a filter that cleans the solvent. The clean solvent is then re-circulated through the machine for reuse. The third sink-type parts washer unit uses a built-in distillation process to clean the solvent before being re-circulated for reuse. Affective use of these three (3) types of parts washers will reduce the volume and toxicity of hazardous waste generation (an excellent waste minimization/pollution prevention technique), reduce operating costs, protect employees, and improve efficiency. Never use solvents containing the following constituents: methylene chloride; perchloroethylene; trichloroethylene; 1,1,1-trichlorethane; carbon tetrachloride and chloroform. EPA has determined that emissions from cleaning equipment using these solvents present a threat to human health and the environment. When using a solvent exchange service, use the longest service interval possible that is consistent with the shop's needs. For heavily soiled parts, consider using separate parts washers in stages. Use one for dirty parts and a second for final cleaning. Overall, this technique extends solvent life. Do not allow any other solvents to be used in or over the parts washer. A common source of contamination is the use of spray solvents such as brake cleaner or carburetor cleaner containing tetrachloroethylene and other regulated solvents. This will cause all the solvent in the parts washer to become hazardous waste and prevent it from being recycled. Extend the parts washer solvent and filter service life (if installed) by pre-wiping parts to remove excess grease or oil. For Filtration Units, change filters and pads, frequently enough to prevent fouling. Clean out sludge often from aqueous parts washers.
Click the link above to go to theREM Mercury Information. Waste minimization is a process of continual improvement. All University faculty, staff and students shall be encouraged to identify opportunities for waste minimization in their daily activities. The Radiological and Environmental Management Department's (REM) Environmental Protection Specialist will support the University's waste minimization efforts by providing training in procedures, techniques, and best management practices. Additionally, REM will organize special, University-wide waste minimization efforts and facilitate information sharing by University personnel through the use of web based fact sheets. Waste prevention and minimization has positive environmental, human health and safety, and economic impacts. Therefore it is an important goal at Purdue University . Implementing a "less is better" concept provides better protection of human health and safety by reducing exposures, generating less demand for disposal on the environment. Less Waste also lowers disposal cost. You can do your part helping Purdue reach this waste prevention and minimization goal by educating yourself and others about waste prevention and minimization. All faculty, staff, and students should take responsibility for educating ourselves about environmental protection as well as human health and safety. Pollution Prevention and Waste Minimization Links |
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