University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
OP-20: Hazardous Waste Management

The University of Minnesota generates approximately 500,000 pounds of chemical waste on an annual basis from its multiple campuses and research stations located throughout the state. The University has a dedicated program and staff to pick up, transport, process, and dispose of this chemical waste in a safe and environmentally responsible manner. All chemical waste that is managed by the University is transported to the University's Fay Thompson Center for Environmental Management (FTCEM), which is a permitted hazardous waste storage and processing facility located on the Twin Cities Campus. Additionally, all University staff that generate hazardous waste are required to receive hazardous waste training. All areas (i.e., laboratories, shops) that generate hazardous waste are routinely inspected for compliance.
The University takes great effort to recycle as much hazardous waste as possible. For example, over the last 3 years 202 tons (26%) of waste managed at the FTCEM was recycled. The University has multiple policies and programs in place that promote waste minimiation, examples include: Board of Regents Sustainability and Energy Efficieny Policy, and the Environmental Protection Policy.

The University of Minnesota generates approximately 500,000 pounds of chemical waste on an annual basis from its multiple campuses and research stations located throughout the state. The University has a dedicated program and staff to pick up, transport, process, and dispose of this chemical waste in a safe and environmentally responsible manner. All chemical waste that is managed by the University is transported to FTCEM, which is a permitted hazardous waste storage and processing facility located on the Twin Cities Campus. Waste is packaged into containers or tanks and shipped offsite to licensed hazardous waste disposal contractors. The vast majority of chemical waste managed at FTCEM is sent to contactors that have been approved by the Minnesota State Contract for Hazardous Waste. Environmental stewardship is always an important factor when selecting disposal options at FTCEM. For example, over the last 3 years 202 tons (26%) of waste managed at FTCEM was recycled and 302 tons (39%) of waste managed at FTCEM was sent for energy recovery as supplemental fuel.

The University has had 104 recorded chemical spills/incidents in the last 3 years. None of these resulted in a significant release or negatively impacted the enviroment.

The University does not have an inventory system for managing the reuse or redistribution of laboratory chemicals. The University maintained a system like this for many years and found it to be unsuccessful. While these programs sound good on the surface, the reality is that most researchers do not want outdated or previously opened/potentially contaminated chemicals. However, departments are encouraged to share excess chemicals, particularly in the event of a lab cleanout (i.e., a professor retires).

All electronic waste (e-waste) generated at the University of Minnesota must be collected for recycle. E-waste can include items such as:

-Computers
-Computer monitors and televisions
-Keyboards, mice, speakers, etc.
-Printers, scanners, copy and fax machines
-Laboratory equipment
-Any equipment containing a circuit board

The University of Minnesota Office Of Information Technology (OIT) has procedures in place to dispose of e-waste, which can be found on OIT's Computer Device Recycling and Donation page.

The UMN ReUse Program facilitates pick ups of e waste. Departments can email the ReUse program to set up a pick up.

https://uhs.umn.edu/department-environmental-health-safety/regulated-waste/batteries-lamps-electronic-waste-disposal