California State University, Stanislaus
OP-20: Hazardous Waste Management

The University Hazardous Materials Management Program uses inventory and waste minimization to help reduce hazardous, special, universal and non-regulated chemical waste. Using a reduction of the quantity ordered and reusing or recycling when safe, the University minimizes impact to the environment and drastically reduces costs. Waste minimization is further realized through efficient material management, when possible, substitution of less hazardous materials, good laboratory procedures, and the migration to micro techniques (i.e., microchemistry) when performing research or classroom laboratory experiments. The University community is required to adhere to the following guidelines for hazardous waste minimization whenever possible: 1. Order only the amount of chemical needed for the job, project or experiment; the cost for regulated disposal outweighs the saving from bulk orders; 2. Plan a procedure for waste disposal before starting on a project; 3. Use only the amount of chemical needed for conclusive results; 4. Avoid long term storage; items unused for > 1 year should be removed as waste to avoid container breakdown or other safety issues; 5. Use caution when mixing waste; never mix incompatible chemicals; 6. Always label waste properly; 7. Hazardous materials labeled as waste must be removed within 90 days of accumulation as waste.

The University contracts with a third party that picks up hazardous waste every 90 days per state regulation. In addition, inventory minimization is a requirement of the program.

There have been no significant hazardous material release incidents during the previous three years.

Risk Management has recently adopted the University of California's chemical inventory tool, called "Chemicals," a web-based system that facilitates the collection and storage of information related to chemical types and amounts within campus laboratories and facilities.

The University’s Property Management Department schedules the pickup of tagged electronic waste from individual departments upon request and the Safety and Risk Management Department arranges for the pickup and recycling of batteries. Used printer toner cartridges are collected by Facilities Services, and evaluated for recycling by Support Services, from bins located in the copy centers of the six major campus buildings. E-waste is stored by Facilities in a resource center facility until a sufficient quantity is collected for pick up by the contracted e-waste recycler, who is is an approved collector by the California Integrated Waste Management Board.