Smith College
OP-25: Hazardous Waste Management

Training on resources available (the chemical inventory system; locations for universal waste collection), discussions with faculty along with providing literature on potential substitutions of less hazardous chemicals. By requiring waste handling and safety training of all students, techniques for proper transport and handling are discussed, reducing the potential for spills and ensuring all wastes are properly collected for disposal. Clark Science Center/Ford Hall maintains a chemical inventory system in order to minimize chemical purchases.

Smith College follows Massachusetts Dept of Environmental Protection regulations and only contracts with TSDF vendors who are appropriately trained and resourced to handle our wastes. Training in safety and hazardous waste handling for faculty, staff and students is provided; the Chemical Hygiene Officer and the Health & Safety Coordinator also receive specific, recurrent training and perform outreach to all campus departments.

There have been no significant hazardous materials releases at Clark Science Center/Ford Hall in the last 3 years.

The Clark Science Center has employed the Vertere Chemical Inventory system since 2003; all faculty and any of their students nominated have free access. It is maintained by the Stockroom personnel and updated frequently as new chemicals arrive and disposal/full use records of current chemicals are received. Stockroom personnel can also access the system to help faculty and students who are unfamiliar with the system locate a chemical.

College-owned obsolete computer equipment (including computers, monitors, printers, peripherals and media) is managed as standard ITS protocol when upgrading computers in offices. After erasing all data from the computer, usable computers are donated to local charities as part of the ITS's Town-Gown program. Items that cannot be donated to local charities are picked up from ITS by Physical Plant and shipped to a computer recycling vendor to be recycled for their scrap value. Computers are collected primarily via ITS, packaged in 1 cu-yrd gaylord shipping boxes, and sent to market via the Institutional Recycling Network. Batteries are collected from various locations on campus (e.g. the student houses, public safety, a kiosk in the CC, a bin in the gym, etc.) and brought back to EH&S. From there, the batteries are sorted by type, packaged and sent to recycled. Bulbs are collected via the custodial staff, and collected via Northeast Lamp. Toner is recycled primarily via the IT store, though we have some other programs for other generators of these materials.

Electronic items are recycled by Allied Computer Brokers via the Institutional Recycling Network. ACB is a full service recycler and dismantler. As per their statement of qualifications, “ACB is committed to providing service that not only complies with all state and federal regulations affecting the handling of electronic equipment (particularly cathode ray tubes, or CRTs, which because of their leaded glass content can be classified as a hazardous waste when discarded), but assures a level of safety and proper handling that goes well beyond compliance. For example, ACB is committed to assuring that re-usable equipment is marketed only to reputable domestic and pre-qualified international markets, and is not exported for recycling to second- and third-world countries with lax environmental controls.