Hazardous Waste Minimization Requirements

EPA defines waste minimization as the reduction, to the most feasible extent, of hazardous waste that is subsequently treated, stored and disposed of. Waste minimization includes any source reduction or recycling activity undertaken by a generator that results in either the reduction of the total volume or quantity of hazardous waste, or the reduction of toxicity of hazardous waste, or both, so long as the reduction is consistent with the goal of minimizing the present and future threat to human health and the environment.

Toxicity, volume reduction and material substitution are the central focus behind waste minimization. Toxicity reduction simply means reducing the degree of hazard associated with the raw material which, in return, reduces the overall degree of hazard of the waste. Material substitution means the use of nontoxic materials or lesser of the original.

With the continuous rise in hazardous waste disposal fees, East Carolina University Hazardous Waste Management strongly encourages all faculty, staff, facilities services, research laboratories, and teaching laboratories to eliminate or reduce the generation of hazardous waste.

Options to consider before generating hazardous waste:

Product Substitution

(Non-hazardous reagents should be substituted for ANY hazardous reagents where possible)

  • Substitute non-hazardous biodegradable liquid scintillation cocktails for xylene and toluene-based cocktails.
  • Substitute ethanol for formaldehyde in specimen preservation.
  • Substitute No-Chromix, Alconox, Terg-a-Zyme or other non-toxic detergents and enzymatic cleaners for chromic acid or potassium hydroxide/ethanol cleaning solutions.
  • Use non-halogenated solvents in degreasing operations (Acetone, Toluene, Acetonitrile, and Ethyl Acetate).
  • Use non-mercury and non-sodium azide preservatives (50% Glycerol, Thimerosal 0.1%, and Proclin 0.02%).
  • Use soy-based inks instead of solvent based inks in printing.
  • Use water-based paints instead of oil-based paints.

Scale down

  • Use micro scale techniques to reduce or eliminate waste.
  • Larger groups per experiment, use demonstrations or video presentations for teaching laboratories.
  • Order only the items needed to carry out the intended research/experiment.
  • No greater quantity of a hazardous reagent shall be procured than what will be necessary to satisfy the immediate planned usage.

Waste Segregation

  • Keep non-hazardous waste out of hazardous waste streams. Certain waste mixtures are more expensive to dispose of than others. For example a solvent contaminated by mercury can cost one hundred times that of the solvent alone.
  • Avoid experiments that produce mixed waste that contains biological & hazardous chemical waste or radioactive and hazardous chemical waste.
  • Collect highly toxic chemical waste (i.e. P-List items and Halogenated Solvents) in separate containers.
  • Please review training on Hazardous Waste Storage (Satellite Accumulation Areas)

Inventory Management

  • Implementing an on-going chemical inventory management system will help to reduce the amount of overstocked chemicals that would require additional management.
  • Chemical Inventory

Waste Recovery

  • Determine if there are other uses for chemicals (i.e. surrounding teaching labs or research labs).
  • Follow proper protocol or SOP when conducting treatment, neutralization and/or detoxification of hazardous waste in laboratories where the actual treatment procedure is a part of the experiment.
  • Purchase compressed gas cylinders from suppliers who will accept the empty cylinders.
  • Recycle chemical program information.