University of California, Santa Cruz
OP-25: Hazardous Waste Management

Maintain an up-to-date chemical inventory; Review your inventory periodically to remove unwanted or unusable chemical stocks; manage peroxide formers and dispose of them by their expiration date; only purchase gas cylinders from manufactures who will accept the return of the partially used or empty cylinders; ensure proper identification is on all chemical containers. Waste Minimization is reduction in the quantity of hazardous wastes achieved through a conscientious application of innovative or alternative procedures. Simple adjustments to a process producing wastes (e.g. a teaching lab experiment, a vehicle cleaning operation, etc.) may be the only requirement to achieve some results. However, looking at the broader picture in the University environment, it is often difficult to recognize waste reductions due to the complex and changing growth patterns within the campus community. Reductions are often offset by increased staff and student growth and/or building construction. Waste Minimization Suggestions - available online at http://ehs.ucsc.edu/programs/waste-management/waste-minimization.html * Substitute less hazardous chemicals or ingredients for ones you are using now. This database provides information on alternatives to hazardous chemicals or processes. This is an MIT-developed tool made possible by an EPA People, Planet, and Prosperity grant. Information is subject to change. * Order only the chemicals needed for the short term. You will spend more to dispose of larger amounts of unused chemicals than you will save by purchasing large orders to get quantity discounts. * If you're dealing with common household chemicals, call the County Hotline for the latest updates on recommended and available substitutes. * Test your ideas on the smallest scale practical to minimize disposal costs. * Keep your wastes segregated by compatibility and type; avoid cross contamination as much as possible.

UCSC offers pick up of disposable waste and chemicals. Instructions on safe ways of disposal can be found on the website. Hazardous waste materials are submitted for pickup in the online database picked up within one week. To protect human health and the environment, hazardous wastes are strictly regulated. Failure to comply with hazardous waste regulations can result in significant criminal and civil penalties (such as fines of up to $25,000/day/violation) for the University and/or the perpetrator. Therefore, proper handling and identification of hazardous wastes is imperative. Only properly trained EH&S employees are qualified to handle hazardous wastes. UCSC audits every hazardous waste vendor that transports, treats and disposes of UCSC waste.

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The University of California requires Principal Investigators and/or Departments to disclose hazardous material inventory records to EH&S if a hazardous chemical is used, handled, or stored in University facilities. Collaboration between hazardous materials users and EH&S is essential for maintaining required chemical inventory records. The Chemical Inventory System (CIS) is a web-based system that facilitates the collection and storage of information related to chemical types and amounts within campus laboratories and facilities. CIS helps UC meet reporting and compliance requirements. If a lab needs a certain chemical, we have them contact EH&S and we use the CIS to share chemicals between labs.

Summary: Receiving Services is the UCSC campus-designated outlet for the disposal of consumer electronics devices (CEDs).Examples of CEDs to be Handled by Surplus Operations Computers, Monitors, Scanners, Printers, Keyboards, Mice, Battery backups, Cables, Circuit Boards,Microwaves, Lamps, Clocks, Flashlights, Calculators, Phones, Coffee Makers, Typewriters, etc. All sales of surplus University owned property must be administered by Surplus Operations. When a department determines that it has no further use for University owned property, the manager, equipment custodian or authorized person initiates steps to dispose of it. Departments are strictly prohibited from gifting or selling surplus materials directly to UCSC faculty, staff, students, and other individuals. The Surplus Administrator has been delegated the authority to "determine whether an item has no further value to the organization and can be disposed of as excess material." The Surplus Administrator then determines the best method of disposal. These standards are designed to ensure the efficient utilization of property, maximize the property’s residual value, maintain financial accountability and reporting accuracy, ensure compliance with safety/environmental laws and regulations, and minimize risk exposure to UCSC.

The UCSC Environmental Health & Safety Dept. website has information on what constitutes hazardous waste as well as instructions for pick up and disposal. The website also contains safety guidelines for handling the waste. Ewaste is collected and resold. If the ewaste is unwanted, it is recycled by a company that has been audited by EH&S. When EH&S audits the recycling company and facility, they ask general questions about how their waste is handled ensuring all employees are wearing proper PPE, they are dismanteling the waste in a safe manner, and they are abiding by UC's Sustainability Policy.