First of all, a "WASTE" is

• A material which has served its original purpose or
• is no longer needed and
• is being discarded.

Even a chemical that has been used and has been returned to it's original container or even a different container is not a waste if it is still usable and you intend to use the material in the future. The only requirements for these are the same for any chemical container: appropriate for the chemical, in good condition, is tightly closed, and has the correct label.

This includes ALL forms of fluorescent light bulbs (straight, circular, screw-in, etc.), metal halide outdoor lighting bulbs, broken mercury thermometers, and discarded mercury thermostats. The term used in the recycling regulations is "Universal Waste."

Spent light bulbs are handled by Facilities Management Housekeepers and Buildings Handymen. There is a service closet in each building with a container for spent bulbs. If other employees or students have bulbs needing disposal, these can be given to any of the staff members mentioned above. A document titled. "The Training Program for Handlers of Universal Waste" under the menu bar for U WASTE TRAINING can be consulted for more details.

Engineering and Science labs have been stocked with plastic pre-labeled bottles as well as mercury adsorbent and other appropriate clean up material for elemental mercury.  

Batteries fall into two categories:

1. Disposable Alkaline Batteries, are considered non-hazardous and can be disposed of in the trash.

2. Disposable and Rechargeable Batteries containing Metals (lead, Pb; lithium, Li; chromium, Cr; nickel-cadmium, Ni-Cd) must be recycled. These range widely in size and shape. Examples of those found on campus are:

Any battery that does not contain the word "alkaline" on its label should be held for recycling. These batteries should also have a recycling emblem somewhere on the label usually noting the type of heavy metal contained inside.  Recycle boxes for these batteries are located in the Electrical Engineering lab, at the OIT help desk, and in the Buildings workshop of Facilities Management.  Batteries can also be brought to the Facilities Management Office in the CUB Building or contact the Environmental and Safety Compliance Office for a pick-up.  

Hazardous wastes are regulated by both federal and state laws. These are materials that would pose a risk to the public if lost to the environment or even if placed in a local landfill. This includes materials in any physical state; liquid, solid (crystals, lumps, or powder), or gasses in compressed gas cylinders. If the original container uses hazard warning words such as Poison or Toxic, Flammable or Combustible, Oxidizer, Corrosive, or Reactive, then it's waste may be considered a hazardous waste. Two documents available on the menu bar will help you identify if a waste is hazardous: "HAZARDOUS WASTE BASICS" in this section and "LABORATORY WASTE" under the Laboratory Safety section.  

Any College employee who handles hazardous waste must be trained to do so. Contact the Environmental and Safety Compliance Office for this training. For reference to those who have completed the training, the outline of that program is available under the menu item "HAZ WASTE TRAINING."

Rev. 29 SEPT 2006