University of Wisconsin-Stout
OP-25: Hazardous Waste Management

The university has different departments (like Chemistry and Physical Plant) that utilize reduction measures. Chemistry has switched to smaller scale experiments in many lab classes to reduce the number of chemicals, and thus hazardous waste in labs. Physical Plant has changed out many toxic custodial cleaners with non-toxic or lower-toxicity ones, to reduce hazardous wastes. Many departments recycle other commodities like batteries, toner cartridges, etc. Stout Surplus disposes of all computer/electronic e-waste through a carefully selected vendor who recycles some of the components, and safely disposes of other components per solid waste regulations. Regarding coal ash, specific state guidelines are followed. A construction company called Pember Excavating in Menomonie, WI hauls the coal ash, and they reuse the coal ash according to Wisconsin Administration Code NR 538. It is used for fill, or road base.

Most hazardous waste is disposed of by licensed contractors under state contract. The current contractor for this is Veolia.

There has been no significant hazardous material release incidents within the previous three years.

The system is called CISPro, a web-based system that tracks all laboratory chemicals in the Chemistry, Biology, and Food & Nutrition departments. Among its many other uses, users can search for a chemical to see if anyone else has it if they only need a small amount. Unwanted chemicals have also been redistributed with it. The Chemical Hygiene Officer always checks first to see if anyone else wants a chemical before disposing of it.

A local recycler picks up all of our non-functional electronic waste in bulk on a weekly basis and provides a summary list of all items received. Electronic waste items are sorted by the recycler and delivered to Dynamic Recycling in LaCrosse, WI. (Dynamic is a State of Wisconsin approved E-Waste recycler). All non-functional hard drives are security wiped and damaged to the point of being no longer being usable prior to pick up. They are then shredded at time of delivery to Dynamic.

All (functional and non-functional) university owned electronics are to be sent to the Surplus Store when they are no longer needed for use by Departments. All usable electronics (with the exception of computers and laptops) are tested and offered for departmental re-use on campus each Wednesday. Items that are not claimed by departments are offered for sale at our public sale each Thursday.

Information from the Executive Director of Health and Safety (Jim Uhlir), the UW-Stout Heating Plant (Brian Lorenz), Surplus Operations (Bob Dodge), and the Safety Director (Dean Sankey).