Waste Disposal
Waste Chemical Disposal
The University has very broad policies that require compliance by students, faculty, and staff. These policies involve the various air and water pollution rules, regulations, and standards issued by local, state, and federal agencies that govern waste chemicals. Except where permitted, there shall be no purposeful discharge of waste chemicals to sinks, drains, or sewers without the explicit authority of the regulating authority. Generally, the use of hot sinks for the disposal of low level radioactive isotopes is one of the few permitted means of disposal. Based upon these circumstances, the Office of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) has provided a no-cost service of properly storing, transporting, and disposing of waste chemicals (including all oil, anti-freeze, and solvents) generated on all campuses. A generator of such waste can request a pickup or delivery of disposal supplies by submitting a service request through CFAES Safety & Compliance.
Chemical Waste Disposal Flowchart
Electrophoresis Gels and Buffer Disposal Solutions
Laboratory Glass Disposal Flowchart
Biohazardous Waste
Wooster Campus Public Safety also picks up and delivers biohazardous boxes and bags. Submit a service request with description of your pick up and/or delivery needs here.
General Biohazardous Waste Disposal Flowchart
Carcasses and Tissues Disposal Flowchart
Biohazardous Packaging Procedure
Universal Waste and Ewaste Program
The federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) is the act that allows the Environmental Protection Agency to promulgate regulations governing the generation, transport, and disposal of “Universal Wastes”. The regulations were developed to promote the collection and recycling of special categories of hazardous waste. It should be noted that Universal Wastes includes batteries, lamps, mercury containing equipment, pesticides, as well as ballasts and thermostats. Ewaste includes any electronic equipment; including old pcs, tvs, printers/scanners, and other electronic devices. Please contact OCIO IT BEFORE bringing any pc, printer, or data holding devices (floppy disks, flash drives, cd-rom, etc) for recycling.
Universal Wastes are managed through the Office of Environmental Health and Safety’s (EHS) Hazardous Waste Program. The last Wednesday of each month is designated for drop off of Universal Waste from 1-2pm. The drop off area is located at the Old ATI Dairy Barn at 2727 Selby Rd. The University has a contract with a company that picks up the hazardous waste on a routine basis and transports the materials to their recycling facilities where they are further processed and the valuable components are recycled and placed back into commerce. The University’s Universal Waste Program is one that demonstrates a commitment for being resourceful, sustainable and a good steward of the environment.
Additional Resources:
OSU Waste Minimization Program
Waste Minimization : As Easy as A, B, C!
Waste Minimization Fact Sheet: Ways to Reduce Hazardous Waste in the Laboratory