Southern Illinois University Carbondale
OP-21: Hazardous Waste Management

Annual training sessions are presented to about 1,000 employees who work with chemicals and biological agents, and half of the presentation is devoted to waste issues. We regularly advise users to substitute less hazardous reagents for hazardous chemicals, to purchase the smallest amount necessary, to share chemicals when possible, to reduce the volume and weight of chemicals and biological used to the smallest practical amount, and to consider treatment of products in compliance with the Resource Conservation Recovery Act to reduce waste. We consult with many of our 700 laboratories to minimize waste streams. Last year, we recycled about 10,000 pounds of spent lamps, over 5,000 gallons of used oil, and a large volume of batteries through the Center for Environmental Health and Safety. Over the years we have worked with our Dental Hygiene program to reduce the amount of biological waste generated by more than 97%. We provide users with information about “green” products as alternatives to using some hazardous chemical products, particularly in DNA analysis. We also provide users with information about changing from standard photographic development to digital imaging, to reduce the volume of spent developer and fix generated in our darkrooms.

Hazardous waste is collected from campus units, stored in our Central Accumulation Facility at CEHS, and disposed through several Treatment, Storage and Disposal contractors, primarily Tradebe, Inc. Universal waste is recycled through Tradebe, Air Cycle, and local oil recyclers. Nonregulated chemical waste is also sent offsite through Tradebe for recycling, where possible.

We have not had any significant hazardous material release incidents in the last 3 years. If one were to happen, the following describes planned repsonse. While there are many possible scenarios where hazardous materials spill, explode, are released into the air, and/or burn, a train derailment is the most likely cause of a serious incident. Regardless of how the incident begins, The following guidance should be followed. Listen to local radio or television stations for detailed information and instructions. Follow the instructions carefully. You should stay away from the area to minimize the risk of contamination. Remember that some toxic chemicals are odorless. If you are asked to evacuate Do so immediately. Take pre-assembled disaster supplies. Help your neighbors who may require special assistance--infants, elderly people and people with access and functional needs. Follow evacuation routes, temporary shelters, and procedures. If you are caught outside Stay upstream, uphill, and upwind! Try to go at least one-half mile from the danger area. Move away from the accident scene and help keep others away. Do not walk into or touch any spilled liquids, airborne mists, or condensed solid chemical deposits. Try not to inhale gases, fumes and smoke. If possible, cover mouth with a cloth while leaving the area. Stay away from accident victims until the hazardous material has been identified. If you are in a motor vehicle Stop and seek shelter in a permanent building. If you must remain in your car Keep car windows and vents closed Shut off the air conditioner and heater. If you are requested to stay indoors Bring pets inside. Close and lock all exterior doors and windows. Close vents, fireplace dampers, and as many interior doors as possible. Turn off air conditioners and ventilation systems. Seal gaps under doorways and windows with wet towels or plastic sheeting and duct tape. Seal gaps around window and air conditioning units, bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans, and stove and dryer vents with duct tape and plastic sheeting, wax paper or aluminum wrap. Use material to fill cracks and holes in the room, such as those around pipes. If gas or vapors could have entered the building, take shallow breaths through a cloth or a towel. Avoid eating or drinking any food or water that may be contaminated.

Unused, unopened laboratory chemicals in good condition are temporarily diverted from the chemical waste stream if there is a likelihood that another researcher could use the reagents.

Southern Illinois University Carbondale has programs in place to responsibly recycle all off the ewaste that the institution generates(SIU property only). SIU contracts through a company named Secure Processors that handles all of our ewaste. SIU collects and stores campus ewaste until it is deemed necessary to contact Secure Processors and have the ewaste recycled. A list of all ewaste that is accepted by Secure Processors can be seen on this page https://www.secureprocessors.org/.

Our electronic waste recycler is certified under the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System, and all of their downstream markets are R2 Recyclers.