Duquesne University
OP-20: Hazardous Waste Management

The Duquesne University Department of Environmental Health and Safety oversees the waste generation across campus, this can include hazardous, biological, radioactive, and universal waste streams. All hazardous waste is collected on a weekly basis (this is primarily generated in the labs) and it is stored in a central accumulation area. EHS has monthly lab packs, where Veolia Environmental will come in and segregate/package/ship/dispose of the chemicals. There are policies in place that help to reduce or minimize the wastes being generated – the Chemical Hygiene Plan, Waste Minimization Plan, etc. Other steps taken to help reduce waste production include providing training and safety inspections. EHS conducts trainings each year that pertain to waste generation and inspections occur weekly, quarterly, and annually.

The Duquesne University Department of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) uses approved vendors to properly dispose of waste following all local, state, and federal regulations. Waste disposal is tracked using manifests provided by the vendor.

Hazardous Waste – the EHS department collects all hazardous waste generated in the research and teaching labs on a weekly basis. All hazardous waste containers are labeled and stored in a central accumulation area. EHS conducts monthly lab packs, where a third party will segregate/package/ship/dispose of the chemicals. The Satellite Accumulation Areas (SAA) are inspected on a weekly basis.

Biological Waste – biological waste is generated throughout campus. This waste includes all dry infectious wastes and animal carcasses (biology and animal care). These waste containers are stored in a central area and are shipped every other week through Stericycle.

Radioactive Waste – radioactive materials are only used in specific labs that are closely monitored. This waste can decay on site (isotopes with a short half-life) or they are shipped for disposal (as necessary).

Universal Waste – universal waste is accumulated on site and shipped on a quarterly basis for proper disposal. This waste can include light bulbs, oil, paint, batteries, and oil filters.

No significant hazardous material release incident has occurred in recent years. Most incidents on campus are minor spills. All labs are equipped with spill kits and the Department of Environmental Health and Safety has numerous spill supplies.

Duquesne University's Environmental Health and Safety Department requests an annual inventory from all laboratories. For reuse items, most often the departments work this internally. For example, when a faculty member is leaving, the chemicals will be examined. Some of them will come to me as hazardous waste (they might be old and not usable) and the other chemicals will be open to go to a new home. If there are remaining chemicals, they will be disposed of properly. The Chemistry Department has an annual clean-out in which they can share unused chemicals.

Duquesne University's Computer Store and IT Department collect most systems when they are refreshed. Those systems are then used as loaners for teaching and learning to departments and students. If there are any extras, they are then brought to the computer store to be sold in a Monthly Used computer sale. Most of the lab desktops that are collected are brought into the used computer sales.

Duquesne University also has a trade in program where students can trade in their system and put that fair market value towards the purchase of a new system. Trade-ins are either sold in Duquesne's used computer sales or used as loaners for repairs. Duquesne University offers some value for systems that are broken, as parts are often salvaged to be used in repairs where someone might not be able to afford the Apple price of the part. Anything that cannot be salvaged or is not sold is sent to an e waste recycler located in the city of Pittsburgh or sent to Goodwill. This is handled by the CTS team.