Waste Minimization

Rechargeable 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 rechargeable 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 rechargeable 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 rechargeable batteries as universal waste. The Universal Waste Rule promotes pollution prevention and waste minimization by encouraging the recycling of used rechargeable batteries instead of less desirable methods of disposal such as land filling or incineration.

Management: Used rechargeable batteries can be picked by completing a Hazardous Waste Pickup Request Form.

• Training is mandatory of all personnel handling rechargeable batteries for recycling.
• All rechargeable batteries must be intact.
• Leaking or damaged rechargeable batteries shall be placed in a suitable, closed container and labeled accordingly.
• All rechargeable batteries will be placed in the appropriately labeled container inside the trailer. NO MIXING OF BATTERIES.
• Alkaline batteries shall be placed in the trash.

Please contact hazwaste@purdue.edu with any questions regarding this program.

Occasionally, Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) 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:

• Mineral acids
• Acetic acid and trifluoroacetic acid
• Hydrogen Peroxide 30%
• Solid oxidizers (permanganates, chlorates, chromates, nitrates)
• Reactives (alkali metals, metal hydrides, hydrazones, sulfides)
• Phenol crystallized
• Non-halogenated solvents
• Bromine

To inquire about chemicals for redistribution, contact hazwaste@purdue.edu. We will require the following information at that time: quantity and type of chemical, your name, phone #, building and room number.

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 data security, follow IT Media Disposal Guidelines.
• Purdue Universities Internal Audit approves the University Warehouse and Surplus as an official site for performing DOD wipes of computer hard drives.
• Complete and submit a Property Accounting Equipment Change in Status form.
• Send equipment to University Warehouse and Surplus for processing:
  • Contact the Surplus supervisor at 765-496-2222 to request a pick up for the equipment. The supervisor will make arrangements with the General Labor crew if necessary.
  • Departments may also deliver the equipment to the Surplus Store.

For questions, contact hazwaste@purdue.edu.

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.

Note: Broken Fluorescent lamps must be managed as hazardous waste. Submit a completed Hazardous Waste Pickup Request for proper disposal.

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.

Requesting Bulb and Ballast Pickup

• Purdue personnel can submit a notification requesting pickup of bulbs/ballasts. Please indicate in this email the quantity (number of boxes, buckets or bins), type of material (bulbs or ballasts), location (building loading dock) of the pickup, and contact information for any questions.
• The work order will be routed to the respective zone and a zone lighting technician will come to pick up the material

Important Reminders:

• University personnel can bring bulbs/ballasts from their buildings/shops to the trailer located near HMMT on Ahlers Road .
• Training is mandatory for all personnel that handles used fluorescent bulbs.
• All lamp containers must be closed and labeled with the words “Universal Waste Bulbs“.
• All buckets/boxes containing ballasts must be labeled with the words “Non-PCB” ballasts or “PCB” ballasts depending on the type of ballasts in the container(s).

Please contact hazwaste@purdue.edu with any questions regarding this program.

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.

Used oil for recycling:

• Lubricants
• Hydraulic Fluids
• Motor Oil
• Metalworking Oil
• Wire Drawing Solutions

Note: All containers used shall be closed at all times except to empty or fill the container. The words “Used Oil” shall appear on the outside of the container in plain view. A pickup request shall be submitted to EHS prior to container removal

Used oil that must be collected separately and cannot be recycled include:

• Refrigeration oil
• Heat transfer oil
• Any oil contaminated with any quantity of the following items:
  • Fuels (gasoline, diesel, kerosene, fuel oil, jet fuels) 
  • Creosote
  • Solvents (lacquer thinner, mineral spirits, turpentine, paint thinner, degreaser solvents, Stoddard solvent, Varsol™, white spirits, oleum, naphtha, petroleum naphtha)
• Duplicating fluid
• Aromatic Hydrocarbons
• Petroleum distillates

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. 

1. A solvent exchange service. Waste (dirty) solvent is removed and reused as a roofing material component. 
2. 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.
3. A built-in distillation process to clean the solvent before being re-circulated for reuse.

Effective use of these three 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 (EPA has determined that emissions from cleaning equipment using these solvents present a threat to human health and the environment):

• methylene chloride
• perchloroethylene
• trichloroethylene
• 1,1,1-trichloroethane
• carbon tetrachloride
• chloroform

To extends solvent life:

• Pre-wipe parts to remove excess grease or oil
• Use separate parts washers in stages for heavily soiled parts. Use one for initial cleaning and another for final cleaning.
• Use the longest service interval possible when using a solvent exchange service.
• Change filtration part washer filters and pads frequently enough to prevent fouling.
• Remove sludge from aqueous parts washers often.

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.