Waste Minimization

Requirements and Responsibility

Waste Minimization at Purdue

Waste minimization is any action that reduces the amount and/or toxicity of hazardous wastes before being shipped off-site for disposal. Minimizing waste can help to save costs of disposal. Use the following methods, in order of effectiveness.

Source Reduction

Reduction provides the greatest impact to minimize waste. Examples include:

• Substitute with less toxic or non-hazardous alternatives (e.g. SYBR Safe DNA gel stain instead of ethidium bromide).
• Maintain chemical inventories and review before making new purchases.
• Buy compressed gas cylinders and lecture bottles from companies that will take back the empty cylinders.

Reuse

Establish a department redistribution program for usable chemicals.

Recycle

Recycling waste materials is using the material for another purpose, treating and reused in the same process or reclaiming for another process.

Purdue works with contracted companies to recycle used oil, universal waste (e.g. fluorescent light bulbs, rechargeable batteries, electronic ballasts) and e-waste (e.g. computers, electronic devices, circuit boards).

Disposal

For waste that must be disposed of, EHS picks up, transports, processes and disposes of all chemicals and waste in a safe and environmentally responsible manner. Careful consideration is given to the disposal of every single container that is picked up and processed by EHS staff.

Contact

Environmental Health and Safety
hazwaste@purdue.edu
765-494-0121