Cal Poly Humboldt
OP-20: Hazardous Waste Management

Cal Poly Humboldt employs an EH&S Specialist as part of the Risk Management and Safety Services (RMSS) department to oversee and develop dynamic strategies to reduce hazardous waste generation on campus, in addition to compliant recycling of such. Utilizing open communication between materials users and emphasizing use of a unified tracking and reporting chemical database have been key components of reducing these materials need for disposal, by not purchasing more than is needed at any one time.

Once it is deemed waste by the user, it is labeled per compliance guidelines, collected by EH&S or recycling staff (depending on type), aggregated at the designated universal waste or hazardous materials storage location on campus, and then processed/packaged for appropriate pick-up by a contracted transporter for final disposal/recycling at a licensed facility. Both processes and locations are reviewed regularly for updating and compliance by RMSS staff to ensure conformity with current regulations and incremental improvement strategies.

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Purchasers and users of chemicals must track them in Cal Poly Humboldts's hazardous materials inventory system called UNHCems. Users can log in and see what other chemical managers have on hand and first ask if that user expects to use up current supplies instead of re-ordering more. This system creates a single database source to look at for all users to understand on-site quantities and provides the needed awareness to check with others before bringing new quantities to campus. Cal Poly Humboldt also has a "Chemical Surplus Donation Form" that can be submitted to RMSS to alert of chemicals that may be made available to other instructors prior to purchasing additional materials.

Additionally, this inventory system helps Cal Poly Humboldt comply with OSHA's Haz Com regulation by not only providing one centralized platform for all hazardous materials on campus but it is a repository for the storing and accessing of Safety Data Sheets or SDS.

Cal Poly Humboldt has both internal staff and publicly available (student) electronics waste recycling programs. The staff program consists of procedures for users on campus, in consultation with Information Technology Services to determine end of life for products/materials. A work order is generated for pick-up of the material through the Facilities Management online request system. The public program mainly consists of eight collection locations spread across campus, but concentrated in high traffic areas, where students can deposit materials/items for recycling; locations contain signage assisting in the proper decisions of which materials go into the collection. Both programs have materials collected by recycling staff, who sort and aggregate them into bulk containers as specified by the contracted recycling entity at the time. The containers are shipped off to that contractor as quantities or time dictate and the Office of Sustainability receives reports of weights when the recycler processes the materials. Contracted recyclers must be licensed in the state of CA to comply with all hazardous materials regulations.