Agnes Scott College
OP-21: Hazardous Waste Management

Most of the hazardous waste generated at Agnes Scott College can be found in the Bullock Science Center. Other areas that may have smaller contributions to the hazardous waste on campus include the Art department, the Wellness Center, and Facilities department. Designated Agnes Scott facilities staff have received training as part of the Georgia Foundation for Independent Colleges (GFIC) to determine waste streams and procedures to handle waste that have an impact on the environment. The process also involves being audited and fixing the areas of non-compliance. A dedicated staff person for the Bullock Science Center monitors the materials and chemicals used in each lab and how they are stored. They also ensure that student and staff lab assistants are properly trained in hazardous waste disposal each year. Students, faculty, and staff across all departments are encouraged to not overuse resources and not to generate any additional waste than is absolutely necessary.

As a small generator of hazardous waste, items are to be labeled and removed from the campus within 180 days. In the Bullock Science Center all hazardous chemicals should be collected in the Satellite Accumulation Area(SAA)or Central Accumulation Area(CAA). Containers should be labeled as “Hazardous” and the contents should be listed on the container. Container must be kept sealed unless filling with waste. Once the container is full it should be dated and scheduled to be taken to the Central Storage Area(CSA) room. For non-hazardous chemicals (a full list of non-hazardous chemicals can be obtained from the Bullock Science Center Building Manager) containers should be labeled “non-hazardous” and set under a fume hood for pickup. For universal waste items such as batteries or small electronic equipment can be brought to the Office of Sustainability. Larger electronic items or items related to printing can be dropped off at Information Technology Services. Fluorescent bulbs and other miscellaneous items can be picked up and disposed by the Facilities Department. All other hazardous materials or contaminated materials are put into closeable red biohazard containers with plastic biohazard liner. For sharps (Pipettes, syringes and razors) red biohazard sharps boxes are used to collect sharps that contain any living contamination. When the biohazard bag or box is fill it is autoclaved and marked with indicator tape to confirm sterilization was done. After that sterilized waste may be disposed of in regular trash.

None

The College’s Chemistry Lab Specialist is currently developing procedures and modifications to the Organic Chemistry labs in order to reduce materials and increase the use of non-hazardous materials. At present, this is policy shift is being done one academic course at a time, which emphasis being placed on introductory courses which are taken by the greatest number of students.

The college’s Information Technology Services department collects obsolete or broken electronic waste and our e-waste recycling hauler, Regency Technologies, comes to pick up the amassed volume. The college’s waste consultant, MPASS, coordinates the contract for the college’s e-waste hauler, and ensures they are utilizing the highest environmental standards for recycling. ITS collects both e-waste generated from campus waste or student waste.