Pollution
Prevention Do you remember the slogan from the 70's
and 80's, "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle"?
Laboratory researchers can participate in programs that minimize the
environmental impact of activities conducted at Stanford. Programs result
in cost-savings, are simple to implement, and benefit labs and the environment.
Wastewater
Management The Palo Alto Regional Wastewater Treatment
Plant, where Stanford's wastewater ends up eventually, has strict
wastewater discharge requirements to protect South San Francisco
Bay from pollutants. Improper disposal or accidental chemical spills
to the laboratory sink drains could impact water or wastewater
quality. Proper storage and disposal of chemicals safeguard against
such occurrences.
Mercury
Thermometer Exchange Program - Did you know that the
University will replace your mercury thermometers at no cost!????!
Mercury is a toxic pollutant and is listed as one of 12 priority
chemicals. In the laboratory, mercury-containing compounds present
a health hazard and spills from broken thermometers are costly
to clean up and dispose of. A mercury thermometer can be easily
identified by the presence of a silver bulb. If the bulb is red,
blue, purple, green or any other color, it is most likely not a
mercury thermometer.
Surplus
Chemical Program gives researchers a direct means
of improving the environment by reducing the volume of chemicals
being purchased and disposed of as waste. EH&S maintains an
inventory of over 300 free, unused and unopened chemicals available
for immediate use and will be delivered promptly to the requesting
laboratory. Participation in the program not only reduces purchase
and disposal costs, but it also reduces the significant environmental
impacts associated with chemical waste disposal.
Product
Substitutions are opportunities for laboratories include
cleaning/sterilizing/rinsing substitutions, and the use of nonhazardous
or less toxic chemical alternatives.
Process
Modifications are opportunities for laboratories
include analytical equipment modifications, neutralization/deactivation/recovery
protocols, and micro-scaling processes. Please consider incorporating
as many of the following into your research as practicable.
Lab materials recycling diverts qualifying containers and materials disposed from labs from going to the landfill. Most glass, metal, and plastic containers (excluding pyrex type lab glass) can be recycled. It is critical that containers meet the definition of an empty container prior to being recycled.
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