Auburn University
OP-21: Hazardous Waste Management

Auburn University (AU) has established processes and procedures to minimize the volume and toxicity of hazardous, special, universal and non-regulated chemical wastes generated through University operations. AU continuously seeks new opportunities to improve performance in this area. Following are some of the key waste minimization measures: • Microscale laboratory techniques are used whenever practical in laboratories to reduce the amount of chemicals consumed and the volume of waste generated. • Non-hazardous or less hazardous chemicals are used in chemical processes whenever practical. • Processes which use hazardous chemicals are reviewed and modified when possible to minimize the amount of chemicals used, and volume of waste generated including bench scale treatment of laboratory waste. • Reverse distribution of pharmaceutical products occurs when possible. • Implementation of a chemical inventory management system to monitor chemical usage, minimize redundant purchases, reduce the amount of unused, outdated chemicals requiring disposal. • Implementation of a surplus chemical sharing and redistribution system available through the chemical inventory system. In addition, glass, plastic and metal chemical waste containers are recycled after use. Universal waste is accumulated at the waste management facility prior to being transported for off-site recycling at a licensed facility. Waste types include: batteries (including alkaline), mercury-containing lamps, lamp ballasts, mercury-containing equipment and recalled or suspended pesticides.

Auburn University Risk Management & Safety (RMS) is responsible for managing all hazardous, universal, and non-regulated chemical waste generated by University operations. Hazardous chemical waste is collected from campus and accumulated at the AU Hazardous Materials 90-day storage facility prior to being transported for off-site disposal at a licensed treatment, storage and disposal facility. Non-empty aerosol cans are collected for processing at the waste management facility. The cans are punctured to drain and collect the contents for disposal as hazardous waste. Non-hazardous chemical waste is disposed of through the sanitary sewer or municipal solid waste. Universal waste is accumulated at the waste management facility prior to being transported for off-site recycling at a licensed facility. Waste types includemercury-containing batteries (including alkaline), mercury-containing lamps, lamp ballasts, mercury-containing equipment and recalled or suspended pesticides. Biohazardous waste includes regulated medical waste (blood-contaminated articles, sharps, etc), infectious waste, and pathological waste and is managed as follows: * Regulated medical waste is autoclaved when possible prior to disposal through a licensed waste handler or incinerated on-site at the permitted AU Pathological Waste Incinerator. * Biological materials are autoclaved when possible prior to disposal as municipal trash. * Pathological wastes are incinerated in the permitted AU Pathological Waste Incinerator. * Radioactive wastes are managed based on the level of activity and half-life of the isotope. Short-lived materials are held for decay prior to disposal as sanitary sewage or municipal trash. Other radioactive materials are stored in secure facilities on-campus prior to being returned to the US Government, the original supplier, or disposal through a licensed waste handler.

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Auburn University has implemented a mandatory Chemical Inventory Management System (CIMS) for research and teaching laboratories. This system is used for both inventory and waste procedures.

When no longer needed, computers and other electronic equipment on Auburn University's campus are sent to Surplus Property, where they are sorted into what can be reused and what cannot. Surplus Properties first attempts to sell or donate the usable electronics to public schools in Alabama, other departments on campus or Alabama state-funded agencies. If no one wants them, or if they are unusable, the electronics are marked for recycling. In the FY 2015 reporting period, AU contracted with Atlanta- and Phoenix-based ViaTek Solutions, to transport and recycle E-waste and lithium batteries. During the FY 2017 reporting period, AU contracted with Call-2-Recycle, an Atlanta-based company that manages and recycles most batteries managed by the University.

Support for e-waste management is also provided by Waste Reduction & Recycling (http://auburn.edu/administration/facilities/organization/operations/campus-services/recycling/) and Surplus Property (http://www.auburn.edu/administration/auxiliary_services/property/surplus.html).