Waste Handling: Difference between revisions
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The University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) is required to manage waste in a manner designed to protect patients, employees, students, contractors, visitors and volunteers, as well as the environment. | The University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) is required to manage waste in a manner designed to protect patients, employees, students, contractors, visitors and volunteers, as well as the environment. | ||
==Policy== | ==Policy== | ||
UNMC’s first priority is to minimize waste whenever possible and has set a [https://livegreennebraska.com/ | UNMC’s first priority is to minimize waste whenever possible and has set a [https://dashboard.livegreennebraska.com/materials/ Zero Waste Goal]. The second priority is to recycle as much waste as possible to divert it from the landfill. Waste which cannot be reused or recycled must be disposed of in in a cost-effective manner, in accordance with this policy and all applicable local, state and federal regulations. | ||
==Guidelines== | ==Guidelines== | ||
Please follow the recycling and disposal guidelines below. | Please follow the recycling and disposal guidelines below. | ||
=== Recyclable Waste === | === Recyclable Waste === | ||
Recyclable waste is any material collected on campus that can be recycled. The most common recycled materials are mixed paper, cardboard, plastic, tin, scrap metal, and aluminum. For questions about recycling, email [mailto: | Recyclable waste is any material collected on campus that can be recycled. The most common recycled materials are mixed paper, cardboard, plastic, tin, scrap metal, and aluminum. For questions about recycling, email [mailto:recycling@unmc.edu recycling@unmc.edu], call 402-559-5462 or 402-559-5300, or visit the site at [https://www.unmc.edu/business-finance/sustainability/ Live Green]. | ||
====Paper==== | ====Paper==== | ||
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====Plastic and Metal==== | ====Plastic and Metal==== | ||
Recyclable material can include rigid plastic, tin or aluminum. These items should be placed in the green recycling bins. EVS will empty the bins, collect the waste and prepare it for disposal by the recycling vendor. See [https:// | Recyclable material can include rigid plastic, tin or aluminum. These items should be placed in the green recycling bins. EVS will empty the bins, collect the waste and prepare it for disposal by the recycling vendor. See [https://www.unmc.edu/business-finance/sustainability/recycling/index.html LiveGreen Recycling] for additional information.<br /> | ||
Large metal items can be recycled through Facilities Management and Planning and/or [https://info.unmc.edu/business-finance/shipping-receiving/furniture-stores/index.html Furniture Stores]. | Large metal items can be recycled through Facilities Management and Planning and/or [https://info.unmc.edu/business-finance/shipping-receiving/furniture-stores/index.html Furniture Stores]. | ||
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Electronic trash, such as CD/DVD, barcode lab label printer ribbons, hard drives, and copiers are disposed of using an appropriate channel that can handle the chemical hazards of the item and taking into account the presence or absence of personal health information (PHI). Items containing PHI are disposed of in accordance with UNMC Policy No. 6056, [[Retention and Destruction/Disposal of Private and Confidential Information]]. <br /> | Electronic trash, such as CD/DVD, barcode lab label printer ribbons, hard drives, and copiers are disposed of using an appropriate channel that can handle the chemical hazards of the item and taking into account the presence or absence of personal health information (PHI). Items containing PHI are disposed of in accordance with UNMC Policy No. 6056, [[Retention and Destruction/Disposal of Private and Confidential Information]]. <br /> | ||
For additional information on other recyclable material, see [https:// | For additional information on other recyclable material, see [https://www.unmc.edu/business-finance/sustainability/recycling/index.html LiveGreen Recycling]. | ||
====Alkaline Batteries==== | ====Alkaline Batteries==== | ||
These are the typical non-rechargeable batteries that most people use. They are not EPA regulated and can be recycled through the UNMC Alkaline Battery Recycling Program. See [https:// | These are the typical non-rechargeable batteries that most people use. They are not EPA regulated and can be recycled through the UNMC Alkaline Battery Recycling Program. See [https://www.unmc.edu/business-finance/sustainability/recycling/batteries.html LiveGreen Alkaline Battery (single use) Recycling] for additional information. | ||
===Non-Recyclable Waste=== | ===Non-Recyclable Waste=== | ||
Non-recyclable waste is any waste, generated at UNMC that cannot be recycled. | Non-recyclable waste is any waste, generated at UNMC that cannot be recycled. | ||
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'''All biohazardous waste must be rendered non-infectious prior to final disposal per State law [http://deq.ne.gov/RuleAndR.nsf/pages/PDF/%24FILE/T132_5.17.16.pdf (NDEQ Title 132)].''' | '''All biohazardous waste must be rendered non-infectious prior to final disposal per State law [http://deq.ne.gov/RuleAndR.nsf/pages/PDF/%24FILE/T132_5.17.16.pdf (NDEQ Title 132)].''' | ||
=====Liquid Biohazardous Waste===== | =====Liquid Biohazardous Waste===== | ||
Decontaminate liquid biohazardous waste (such as human blood, aspirated culture media, infectious human or animal body fluids, and liquid bacterial cultures) by steam sterilization (i.e. autoclave) or treatment with an appropriate chemical disinfectant (such as freshly prepared bleach) for the recommended contact time (20 minutes for 1:10 final dilution with bleach). After decontamination, liquids may be poured down the drain to the sanitary sewer while flushing with cold water. See [ | Decontaminate liquid biohazardous waste (such as human blood, aspirated culture media, infectious human or animal body fluids, and liquid bacterial cultures) by steam sterilization (i.e. autoclave) or treatment with an appropriate chemical disinfectant (such as freshly prepared bleach) for the recommended contact time (20 minutes for 1:10 final dilution with bleach). After decontamination, liquids may be poured down the drain to the sanitary sewer while flushing with cold water. See Sanitary [https://www.unmc.edu/ehs/_documents/chemical-safety/factsheets/sanitarysewerdisposal.pdf Sewer Disposal Fact Sheet] for guidance. Please note solutions containing biological toxins must be decontaminated in a manner that also inactivates the toxin. Contact Environmental Health & Safety Department (EHS) at 402-559-6356 prior to drain disposal if using disinfectants other than bleach. | ||
=====Solid Biohazardous Waste===== | =====Solid Biohazardous Waste===== | ||
Solid biohazardous waste is composed of two broad categories to include sharps and non-sharps. | Solid biohazardous waste is composed of two broad categories to include sharps and non-sharps. | ||
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====Chemical Waste==== | ====Chemical Waste==== | ||
Chemical waste is any chemical or chemical material that is used or no longer needed and destined for disposal. Chemicals and chemical materials are disposed of in accordance with the EPA regulations. EPA also requires UNMC to have a [https://www.unmc.edu/ehs/_documents/ | Chemical waste is any chemical or chemical material that is used or no longer needed and destined for disposal. Chemicals and chemical materials are disposed of in accordance with the EPA regulations. EPA also requires UNMC to have a [https://www.unmc.edu/ehs/_documents/chemical-safety/unmcwasteminimizationplan10_2018.pdf Waste Minimization Plan] for hazardous waste. Use the [https://www.unmc.edu/ehs/_documents/chemical-safety/factsheets/chemicaldisposal.pdf Chemical Disposal Fact] Sheet for guidance on disposing of chemicals. Please see the Hazardous Material Fact Sheets for information on some specific chemical waste streams. Nebraska Public Service Laboratory waste will be handled per internal guidelines and chain-of-custody requirements. For additional information on chemical disposal, please contact EHS at (402-559-6356). | ||
=====Liquid Chemical Waste===== | =====Liquid Chemical Waste===== | ||
Certain non-hazardous liquid chemicals can be disposed to the sanitary sewer. Please see the Hazardous Material Fact Sheet [https://www.unmc.edu/ehs/ | Certain non-hazardous liquid chemicals can be disposed to the sanitary sewer. Please see the Hazardous Material Fact Sheet [https://www.unmc.edu/ehs/_documents/chemical-safety/factsheets/sanitarysewerdisposal.pdf Sanitary Sewer Disposal] for a list of these chemicals. All other liquid chemicals and chemical waste must be tagged and given to EHS for proper disposal. | ||
=====Solid Chemical Waste===== | =====Solid Chemical Waste===== | ||
Solid chemicals and chemical waste must be tagged and given to EHS for proper disposal. Chemical waste cannot be disposed of in the trash. | Solid chemicals and chemical waste must be tagged and given to EHS for proper disposal. Chemical waste cannot be disposed of in the trash. | ||
=====Empty Chemical Containers===== | =====Empty Chemical Containers===== | ||
Empty containers must be properly handled to ensure the safety of laboratory and EVS staff. Please see the Hazardous Materials Fact Sheet [https://www.unmc.edu/ehs/ | Empty containers must be properly handled to ensure the safety of laboratory and EVS staff. Please see the Hazardous Materials Fact Sheet [https://www.unmc.edu/ehs/_documents/chemical-safety/factsheets/emptychemicalcontainerdisposal.pdf Empty Chemical Container Disposal]. | ||
=====Universal Waste===== | =====Universal Waste===== | ||
Universal wastes are any of the following hazardous wastes subject to the State of Nebraska universal waste requirements. | Universal wastes are any of the following hazardous wastes subject to the State of Nebraska universal waste requirements. | ||
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*Electronic items (circuit boards, computer monitors) | *Electronic items (circuit boards, computer monitors) | ||
*Pesticides | *Pesticides | ||
Additional information can be found online in the Hazardous Material Fact Sheet, [https://www.unmc.edu/ehs/ | Additional information can be found online in the Hazardous Material Fact Sheet, [https://www.unmc.edu/ehs/_documents/chemical-safety/factsheets/universalwastestorage_disposal.pdf Universal Waste]. Questions concerning disposal of universal waste can be addressed by contacting EHS at (402-559-6356). | ||
====Radioactive Waste==== | ====Radioactive Waste==== | ||
Radioactive waste is any material with detectable radioactivity above background levels. These materials are handled in accordance with Radioactive Materials and Waste policies and procedures. Contact EHS/Radiation Safety at (402-559-6356) for disposal guidelines or see Section B-8 of the [https://www.unmc.edu/ehs/ | Radioactive waste is any material with detectable radioactivity above background levels. These materials are handled in accordance with Radioactive Materials and Waste policies and procedures. Contact EHS/Radiation Safety at (402-559-6356) for disposal guidelines or see Section B-8 of the [https://www.unmc.edu/ehs/_documents/radiation-safety/rsm_2024.pdf Radiation Safety Manual]. | ||
=====Mixed Waste ===== | =====Mixed Waste ===== | ||
Mixed waste (radioactive, biohazardous, and/ or chemical) must be disposed of in accordance with the state regulations as outlined in the Hazardous Materials Fact Sheet, [https://www.unmc.edu/ehs/ | Mixed waste (radioactive, biohazardous, and/ or chemical) must be disposed of in accordance with the state regulations as outlined in the Hazardous Materials Fact Sheet, [https://www.unmc.edu/ehs/_documents/chemical-safety/factsheets/mixedradioactivechemicalwastedisposal.pdf Mixed Waste Disposal]. | ||
====Construction Waste==== | ====Construction Waste==== | ||
=====Asbestos ===== | =====Asbestos ===== | ||
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*UNMC Policy No. 3000, [[General Accounting]] | *UNMC Policy No. 3000, [[General Accounting]] | ||
*UNMC Policy No. 6056, [http://wiki.unmc.edu/index.php?title=Confidential_Information Retention and Destruction/Disposal of Private and Confidential Information] | *UNMC Policy No. 6056, [http://wiki.unmc.edu/index.php?title=Confidential_Information Retention and Destruction/Disposal of Private and Confidential Information] | ||
*[https:// | *[https://www.unmc.edu/business-finance/sustainability/recycling/index.html LiveGreen Recycling]. | ||
This policy maintained by [mailto:mhurlocker@unmc.edu mh]. | This policy maintained by [mailto:mhurlocker@unmc.edu mh]. | ||