Tarleton State University
OP-25: Hazardous Waste Management

Tarleton EHS personnel conduct regular training and work hand in hand with faculty, staff and facilities personnel to reduce and control the amount of hazardous and universal waste generated on campus. When possible, chemicals are re-purposed in other departments that have need rather than slate them for disposal. In addition, Tarleton EHS personnel conduct a biennial review of chemical inventory on hand to identify chemicals for removal based on age, condition, container and labeling. When possible, micro-chemistry practices are utilized to reduce the amount of waste generated in teaching and research laboratories.

Hazardous chemicals and lab wastes slated for disposal are segregated into an explosion-proof building. Once per year a licensed subcontractor mobilizes to Tarleton's campus to segregate and lab pack the waste according to hazard classification. The waste is then transported for proper disposition. Universal waste is typically recycled through a licensed subcontractor, with the exception of paint-based waste (paint-related waste is handled internally). Examples of universal waste recycled from Tarleton's campus include batteries (alkaline and rechargeable), bulbs and ballasts and used oil/antifreeze. Non-regulated waste is disposed in accordance with local, State and Federal rules and regulations.

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Currently, Tarleton EHS personnel are in the process of barcoding all chemical inventory on campus to assist in identifying non-utilized materials, peroxide formers and pre-cursors.

In accordance with Texas Government Code Chapter 2175: Sec. 2175.905. DISPOSITION OF DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT. (a) If a disposition of a state agency's surplus or salvage data processing equipment is not made under Section 2175.184, the state agency shall transfer the equipment to: (1) a school district or open-enrollment charter school in this state under Subchapter C, Chapter 32, Education Code; (2) an assistance organization specified by the school district; or (3) the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. (b) If a disposition of the surplus or salvage data processing equipment of a state eleemosynary institution or an institution or agency of higher education is not made under other law, the institution or agency shall transfer the equipment to: (1) a school district or open-enrollment charter school in this state under Subchapter C, Chapter 32, Education Code; (2) an assistance organization specified by the school district; or (3) the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. (c) The state eleemosynary institution or institution or agency of higher education or other state agency may not collect a fee or other reimbursement from the district, the school, the assistance organization, or the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for the surplus or salvage data processing equipment transferred under this section. (d) An assistance organization may not lease, lend, bail, deconstruct, encumber, sell, trade, or otherwise dispose of data processing equipment acquired under this section. The assistance organization may dispose of the equipment only by transferring the equipment to the school district that specified the assistance organization for transfer under this section. Tarleton has implemented an annual e-recycling event to coincide with another community service event - Tarleton's Annual Day of Service. The Department of Risk Management & Compliance along with the Purchasing Department sponsor a drop-off for faculty, staff, students and community members to drop off their e-cyclables. This opportunity is advertised along with the Day of Service to ensure the opportunity is made available to as many in the community as possible.

Tarleton utilizes a local contractor to handle the e-waste collected during this event. This same contractor handles all of the universal waste generated by Tarleton and is familiar with our personnel and campus. Multiple bins are provided for on-site sorting of materials and no hand labor/sorting by Tarleton personnel or anyone dropping materials off is required. After the event, the contractor mobilizes to Tarleton's campus, picks up the bins and transports them to their facility where they are further sorted by trained personnel into the proper commodity streams for shipping to the end user. Tarleton receives a certificate of destruction/recycling for the materials.