Toxic use reduction and waste minimization activities apply not only to wastes but include the management of releases to air, water, and generation of solid and non-hazardous waste. While specific practices are not addressed by regulation, some best practices for a number of environmental areas related to pollution prevention at schools and universities are described below.
Even when not required by environmental regulations, the following best practices are recommended. Although some of the recommended best practices listed below do not apply to activities at a waste storage facility, they are presented here to reinforce that waste reduction is most effective when applied at the point of generation.
Air Quality
- Implement microscale chemistry techniques where possible.
- Make sure the caps and container lids on volatile chemicals are secure.
- Do not store chemicals in laboratory fume hoods.
- Substitute less toxic or less volatile chemicals in processes where possible.
Wastewater
- Review processes and procedures for opportunities to minimize wastewater generation.
- Use organic dishwashing solutions instead of chromic-sulfuric acid mixtures when washing glassware if possible.
Hazardous Waste
- Minimize the amount of chemicals stored in the lab to the minimum quantities needed to avoid having to dispose of chemicals that expire or deteriorate during storage.
- Develop an inventory of chemicals no longer needed in your lab that could possibly be used by another.
- Where possible substitute less toxic chemicals where toxic chemicals are used in a procedure or process.
- Evaluate ways to reduce the amount of toxic chemicals used in lab procedures.
- Explore methods to re-use or recycle spent solvents, unused paints, cleaners, and other chemicals.
- Avoid contaminating non-hazardous waste streams with hazardous, radioactive or biohazardous material.
Radioactive and Mixed Waste
- Use low volume liquid scintillation vials.
- Use radionuclides with short half lives that can be allowed to decay in storage prior to disposal.
Non-Hazardous and Special Waste
- Use two sided copying
- Make procedures, MSDSs, manuals and other documents available electronically
- Use e-mail instead of hard copies
- Share trade periodicals
- Use reusable containers
- Use rechargeable batteries