San Francisco State University
OP-21: Hazardous Waste Management

(1) SFSU recently purchased a silver recovery unit for the Fine Arts Dept. to eliminate the generation of photo-processing waste. Treated photo-processing waste will now be discharged to the municipal sewer system; spent silver canisters will be recycled. (2) SFSU is in the process of securing a chemical purchasing vendor to coordinate the purchase of chemicals campus-wide. This system will enable EHS to place controls on the volumes and types of chemicals ordered. Guaranteed delivery timelines by the vendor should provide an incentive for chemical users on campus not to “over-order” chemicals. (3) SFSU has initiated discussions with Ingenium, to “broker” qualifying “orphan” chemicals for re-use, in lieu of managing them as a hazardous waste. (4) Over the past year, SFSU has been embarking on a fluorescent light change-out program, replacing fluorescent lamps with more efficient LED lights.

SFSU has contracts with PSC/Stericycle for hazardous & universal wastes, and Biologic for medical waste. Hazardous and medical wastes are picked up weekly for routine waste generation, and on an as-needed basis for groups that generate waste sporadically. EHS has a budget for regulated waste disposal and provides support, as needed, to affected groups on campus that need to dispose of unwanted hazardous materials. Additionally, Spring Clean-up Events serve as encouragement for groups on campus to identify old, outdated, hazmat items for disposal. During these events, disposal of hazardous and universal waste items is coordinated by the Campus Environmental Compliance Manager, to assure conformance with applicable regulations. Used battery collection containers are provided to various groups on camps for the collection of small mixed batteries. Batteries are collected by EHS personnel, and sorted/taped, prior to pick-up by SFSU’s hazardous waste/universal waste contractor. Spent lamps collected by Facilities and Campus Housing are managed as universal waste using SFSU’s hazardous waste/universal waste contractor. Information is available on SFSU’s website: http://ehs.sfsu.edu/content/environmental-programs http://sustain.sfsu.edu/recycle

SF State's Science building was closed for a semester in 2014 when asbestos was detected in the building. The campus immediately shut down the building, conducted outreach to the community, then took steps to remediate the contamination. http://buildingclosure.sfsu.edu/

In June 2016, SFSU purchased a package from MSDS Online, which includes the preparation of a “binder” identifying chemicals and their locations campus-wide. This inventory will facilitate the re-use of laboratory chemicals, where feasible. The “binder” should be completed by December 2016.

In California, electronic waste is regulated as Universal Waste. Computers and other electronic devices that cannot be refurbished or reused are managed as e-waste. The campus recycles e-waste through Electronic Recyclers International, Inc. Each department gathers e-waste and brings it to common, secure collection points. The campus typically has one pick-up per month. The campus also holds Spring Clean-Up events, which are aimed at clearing old computer equipment and other electronic devices from faculty and staff offices. Residential students dispose of their used electronics via Goodwill donation boxes. The Student Center also collects small e-waste items from students.