Roosevelt University
OP-25: Hazardous Waste Management

BIOL, CHEM, PHYS Science Department: Try to order the least amount needed so as not to have too much of a chemical on hand, especially if it is only used every couple of years for a specific class or research. The chemistry classes work on mini and micro scale reactions so very little chemicals are used. Biology classes typically have non-hazardous options for most experiments. Instructors are encouraged to minimize their use of chemicals in the lab (make only what is needed, order only the amount that will be used before expiration, etc.) or to look for green alternatives in order to minimize hazardous waste. There has been examination on use of especially hazardous chemicals (P-list) and it is being determined if the amount used in class/on campus can be reduced. We have moved away from using mercury thermometers in the labs as much as possible. College of Pharmacy: The compounding lab exercises small scale formulations using non-hazardous pharmaceutical excipients and limited quantities of active pharmaceutical ingredients so waste generated is as small as possible. Lab manuals were designed based on minimizing the non-hazardous material usage. Research lab faculty members are aware of reducing their use of reagents in the lab. Try to order the least applicable amount to prevent storing large quantities of reagents. University Paint Shop: Paint containing nearly no volatile organic compounds (VOC) is used throughout the campus buildings. Additionally, the university color pallet has been streamlined, in order to reduce the different shades available, that way we will have less product, essentially, and will therefore use it.

BIOL, CHEM, PHYS Science Department and College of Pharmacy (COP) Waste is collected separately (solid, liquid, chemical, biological, sharps), sorted (as non-toxic or toxic then again into organic (halogenated and non-halogenated), inorganic and solid waste), and stored, and then picked up by Veolia (the company that takes all our hazardous waste), to be properly handled, tracked, and disposed of. We have 3 pickups throughout the year, at the end of each semester. Special wastes are typically not generated to begin with. Any generated biohazard waste is autoclaved and disposed of. The University Paint Shop also uses Veolia if and when any hazardous material must be disposed of. Our paint vendor also offers pick-up of expired/ non-usable paint so that it gets properly disposed of per the Environmental Protection Agency. Overall, there is a very large manual that the Sciences and COP have to follow based on OSHA. When housekeeping (ABM) works with any 'hazardous' waste (i.e. in terms of cleaning up any bodily fluids versus using any hazardous chemicals) the staff is equipped with gloves, kits, and a specific sanitizer. The waste is bagged up in red bags and given to the Sciences Department in order to be picked up by Veolia.

N/A

BIOL, CHEM, PHYS Science Department: Have a chemical inventory system, CHIMERA, that is internal, and is used to keep track of the chemicals we do have. While this not used for the wider Roosevelt campus, it does limit the amount of chemicals we order within the department (TAs and instructors can check to see if we already have the chemical). Chemicals are then shared through the department in order to minimize the amount we order and store (and then have to get rid of due to expiration). College of Pharmacy: Also uses CHIMERA-- keeps track of the reagents we do have based on unique barcode numbering for reagents. It limits the amount of chemicals/reagents that get ordered within the department (faculty, lab mangers, TAs and instructors can check to see if we already have the reagent). Reagents are then shared through the department in order to minimize the amount we order and store (and then have to get rid of due to expiration).

The Keeling Family Foundation VetTech picks up our e-waste when our bins fill up/when we call for pickup. VetTech takes any 'salvageable' computers and trains veterans on how to fix them-- rebuilt computers get donated to those in need. Non-computer materials then go to VetTech's partner Recycle if of Chicago, where the e-waste is then sorted and temporarily stored. It then goes to an R2 facility to get properly recycled. Roosevelt has secure e-waste drop-off locations at the Schaumburg campus and downtown Chicago campus-- which includes collection/drop-off of campus generated e-waste, as well as personal e-waste from home.

VetTech's partner Recycle if of Chicago provides a safe, secure facility to temporarily store the e-waste. The site is gated and has alarms and cameras in place. Once the items are sorted they are sent to an R2 facility for recycling.The employees are provided with industrial grade gloves, steel toe boots, and safety glasses when handling the e-waste materials (for safety). All R2 Standards are met.