California State University, Los Angeles
OP-25: Hazardous Waste Management

The University utilizes an approval process for the purchase of all chemicals by the institution. The review by the RM/EHS Office looks at the material being purchased, its safety, hazard and exposure characteristics, the degree of severity of the chemical utilizing NFPA and Cal/OSHA standards, and the quantity being purchase to assure that adequate storage is available and that there remains only a ready supply of the hazardous material on hand. A review by the Office of Risk Management & Environmental, Health and Safety occurs and authorization to purchase is approved or not prior to the procurement of any hazardous material. Hazardous materials are inventoried using a bar code system and tracked through the life-cycle of the material to ultimate disposal. Hazardous materials that are identified as being no longer needed are offered to other authorized users of that material to maximize usage, minimize new inventory, and promote waste minimization.

The University utilizes a certified hazardous waste hauler within the State of California and nationally, and disposal of the waste materials goes only to approved hazardous waste disposal sites. Identified credentialed personnel in the RM/EHS Office review and approve of all of the hazardous waste manifests prior to shipment. Tracking and reconciliation is maintained within the RM/EHS Office for all hazardous waste, universal waste and non-hazardous waste shipments.

There have been no significant hazardous material release incidents during the prior three years. The spill response activities typically involve small spills of mercury (broken thermometers)*, small solvent spillage, and small acid spillage. Nothing has come to the threshold of being a reportable quantity and release under the State of California or Federal EPA criteria.

The University has employed a chemical inventory management system for the last ten (10) years through Vertere, a firm specializing in chemical inventory management for colleges and universities. This system employs a bar code application identifying a particular container through the life-cycle of that chemical compound. With scanners the material can be identified wherever it may be stored, and area inventories are developed on this tracking system. Initial application has focused on our academic sciences and engineering facilities, and the management system continues to be rolled out to other academic areas (Fine Arts, Theatre and Criminal Justice) and operational areas.

Electronic wastes submitted to the RM/EHS Office are recycled through the hazardous waste hauler for the University. The Property Management Department receives and surveys out unusable computers, TVs, and miscellaneous electronics through an off-campus recycler.

The pick-up and disposal of e-wastes are controlled through certified contractors, that employ proper worker protections, and the activities on campus are subject to surveillance by the RM/EHS Office. Only recycle/disposal sites determined safe and approved by the CSU are utilized. Non-hazardous manifests and bill of ladings are reviewed and signed by the University, and tracking is confirmed by return copies from the ultimate disposal/recycle destinations.