University of South Florida
OP-20: Hazardous Waste Management

The University of South Florida maintains a waste minimization guide to provide the campus community with techniques and guidelines to reduce the generation of hazardous wastes. Methodologies include: source reduction, environmentally sound recycling, compliant treatment, efficient management (e.g. segregation, bulking, etc.), etc. The University utilizes HITS (Hazardous Inventory Tracking System), a web-based chemical inventory system, to track the purchase, storage, and disposal of chemicals and associated waste streams. The chemical inventory system assists laboratories with the reduction of waste generation via inventory control. In addition, via the lab closeout process laboratories/shops/studios can evaluate the redistribution of chemicals with inherent value for reuse. At the time of lab closeout notification, EH&S coordinates with the subject lab/studio/shop to evaluate the chemical inventory and subsequently coordinates the redistribution of useful chemicals to other campus entities for the purposes of reducing the total volume of hazardous waste disposed.

EH&S maintains dedicated staff to manage and coordinate the compliant storage and disposal of the hazardous, biomedical, and universal pharmaceutical wastes generated on campus. EH&S maintains contracts with properly licensed vendors for the transportation and disposal of these waste streams. EH&S provides routine training to subject faculty, staff, and students regarding regulatory compliant management, storage, and disposal of hazardous wastes as well as techniques and guidelines to reduce the generation of hazardous wastes. Further, EH&S completes lab safety inspections for all campus laboratories, studios, and shops, including compliant waste management activities, on a biannual basis. Facilities Management - Campus Services manages the University recycling and universal waste programs (e.g. fluorescent bulbs, ballasts, batteries, and electronic equipment). EH&S Haz Waste Specialists routinely inspect the universal waste storage areas to ensure compliant storage practices and release minimization measures are in place.

http://www.usf.edu/administrative-services/environmental-health-safety/programs-services/laboratory-safety/chemicals.aspx

http://www.usf.edu/administrative-services/environmental-health-safety/programs-services/laboratory-safety/starting-closing-labs.aspx

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The University utilizes HITS (Hazardous Inventory Tracking System), a web-based chemical inventory system, to track the purchase, storage, and disposal of chemicals and associated waste streams. The chemical inventory system assists laboratories with the reduction of waste generation via inventory control. In addition, via the lab closeout process laboratories/shops/studios can evaluate the redistribution of chemicals with inherent value for reuse. At the time of lab closeout notification, EH&S coordinates with the subject lab/studio/shop to evaluate the chemical inventory and subsequently coordinates the redistribution of useful chemicals to other campus entities for the purposes of reducing the total volume of hazardous waste disposed.

http://www.usf.edu/administrative-services/environmental-health-safety/programs-services/laboratory-safety/chemicals.aspx

http://www.usf.edu/administrative-services/environmental-health-safety/programs-services/laboratory-safety/starting-closing-labs.aspx

Removal of surplus electronic equipment for environmental recycling is provided by the University's IT staff. The University utilizes a third party vendor experienced in asset management and the recycling and/or reuse of end-of-life and obsolete computers, computer monitors, and other electronic equipment. The vendor is responsible for the design and management of highly efficient processes where retired assets can be properly dismantled, destroyed, and recycled.