University of Rochester
OP-25: Hazardous Waste Management

From the creation of the Hazardous Waste Unit in 1980, steps have been taken to reduce accumulation of excessive amounts of material even as the University expanded. Now, small amounts of chemicals are bought as opposed to buying larger quantities in an attempt to get a lower price per pound. Automation of many laboratory processes, especially at the Medical Center, has also greatly reduced the generation of hazardous waste. The Hospital eliminated mercury thermometers and sphygmomanometers as well as eliminated the use of mercury compounds in its Special Stains Laboratory in the late 1990s. Most recently a large R-12 chiller at the Chilled Water Plant was retrofitted to use a non-chlorinated refrigerant gas. The Cogeneration plant itself reduces waste and air emissions that would be created by other coal or nuclear power plants by more effectively using heat that would have been lost from on-site steam production used for campus heating and chiller operations.

The University of Rochester takes great care to gather hazardous and chemical wastes from its locations and facilities and dispose of them as cleanly and effectively as possible. Much of the waste, including batteries, light bulbs, and oil, are sent off-site to specialized recycling centers. Certain chemicals left over from campus laboratories are distilled to reclaim solvents which are then reused. Used cooking oil is used to make biodiesel or otherwise recycled. Further services of the Unit include chemical waste pickups, assistance with chemical storage and disposal. It also provides information on reducing waste and offers free surplus chemicals to laboratories.

On 4/12/2012, hydraulic oil from an elevator was noted in the secondary containment of the Carlson Library elevator during serving. Since the bottom of the shaft goes all the way to bedrock and ground water was noted in the containment, NYSDEC was notified. About 14 gallons of oil was recovered. A total petroleum hydrocarbon test was conducted to validate the cleanup. On 12/17/2010 a UR –owned road salter truck broke a hydraulic line and an estimated 35 gallons of oil was spread over a section of a paved parking/ access area. An environmental contractor was called in to assist in cleanup. The cost was approximately $2,500. On 5/10/2013 approximately 10 gallons of vacuum pump oil was released from a drum in to the sanitary sewer. On 11/22/2013 the 4000 gallon underground gasoline tank at 612 Wilson Blvd failed a tank tightness test. An investigation found the problem to be in a faulty vent line. No product was lost. On 10/18/2014 a waste bottle exploded in Hutchison Hall, leading to a spill of an unknown small quantity of inorganic acid to an impervious surface. No contaminant was released to the environment. On 3/24/2015, a potential leak was discovered in the hydraulic ram controlling the elevator at the Memorial Art Gallery on University Ave. The problems were fixed and no contamination was found.

Hazarous Waste Management has facilities in place to distill used chemicals into solvents that can be reused in laboratories. The online system allows for faculty to list chemicals they want and request ones that are available.

All employees can arrange for used or new electronics to be recycled through the Hazardous Waste Management Unit constituting an overall proactive approach to the management of computer solid wastes. The materials are then given to SunnKing, a company that specializes in electronics recycling.

University electronics are brought to SunnKing for recycling. As a renowned electronics recycling company, they have their own facilities and standards for worker safety. Their top priorities are: electronic recycling, data destruction, and asset management. SunnKing is New York State’s first EPA R2 certified recycler.