Temple University
OP-25: Hazardous Waste Management

Temple University manages its waste in accordance with all applicable federal, state and local regulations. The University has comprehensive waste management program which utilizes various strategies (training, handbooks, guides, handouts, posters, audits, etc...) to safely manage and minimize its regulated and non-regulated chemical waste. The University has a robust chemical waste minimization program in place. Traditional means of minimization such as purchasing control, operational control, source reduction and inventory and storage controls are used at the University. The University also has successful utilized a mercury thermometer exchange program, chemical redistribution program, solvent recycling program and a rag laundering program to minimize the amount of waste shipped off site for disposal.

The University utilizes a process where individuals can request that a chemical waste (hazardous, universal, non-regulated) be safely removed from their area. The chemical waste is transferred to a Central Accumulation Area where it’s classified, segregated and stored to await final disposal. The University disposes of all chemical waste through a contracted waste vendor. All waste is transported to a permitted TSDF or recycling facility.

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The Temple University -Environmental Health and Radiation Safety (EHRS) has developed a solvent recycling program to help reduce the volume of solvents that are sent off site for disposal as hazardous waste. In addition, the program also assists University faculty and staff to save on purchasing costs. The solvent recycling program is successful in recovering various solvents for re-use through the University. Some of the solvents that are currently capable of being recovered are listed below: Acetone Formalin Xylene (s) Ethyl Alcohol The solvent recovery program is capable of providing purified, distilled product as at technical grade level. The program utilizes proven quality assurance methods to ensure the over-all quality of the product. The EHRS maintains an inventory of excess recycled solvents that are available at no cost. Refer to the Chemical Redistribution List for the type of solvents that are currently available.

The mission of the Computer Recycling Center is to gather surplus electronic and electronic related equipment from around the university, wipe and destroy any data that is on the equipment, test and refurbish equipment when and where possible, redeploy the equipment where appropriate and lastly arrange for the proper and recommended handling disposal of all unusable equipment and scrap. With equipment that the CRC is not able reuse, it seeks out local third parties that process material locally by breaking materials down to basic commodities for recycling. The CRC seeks third parties that have or are seeking third party certifications for the proper destruction and downstream disposition of our materials. These certifications and permits include but are not limited to Class D Recycling Permits, R2 and/or E-stewards Certifications. The CRC follows up with its own announced and unannounced site visits as well as monitor information related to the industry, organizations and government agencies related to this field. The CRC also requires reports back on the material and weights sent to their facility.

The mission of the Computer Recycling Center is to gather surplus electronic and electronic related equipment from around the university, wipe and destroy any data that is on the equipment, test and refurbish equipment when and where possible, redeploy the equipment where appropriate and lastly arrange for the proper and recommended handling disposal of all unusable equipment and scrap.The CRC begins by processing as much in house as possible without compromising the safety of its staff. This begins with serial number tracking and data destruction. In light of data security, the CRC has invested heavily in software, hardware and training to ensure it has the capability to secure and destroy information stored in its many forms. are currently researching the possibility of a 3rd party verification and certification of our data destruction process. The CRC operation has a unique connection to Temple University’s Environmental Health and Radiation Safety. They are responsible for all the contracts related to and proper disposal of all our batteries and bulbs. Storage containers are provided to the CRC and monitor by the CRC and EHRS for disposal cycles. EHRS provides training for our staff on worker safety with lifting and moving equipment as well as storing liquids, batteries or other materials.