Pollution Prevention
University of Southern California is committed to protect human health and environment by reducing waste at the source, promoting the use of non-toxic or less-toxic substance, and reusing materials rather than putting them into the waste stream. The following programs are provided by EHS to implement our Pollution Prevention and Hazardous Waste Source Reduction Plans.
Hazardous Waste Source Reduction
The EHS enhances hazardous waste source reduction through laboratory safety training and other hazardous waste management training with emphasis on the following agendas.
- Substitute highly hazardous chemicals with less hazardous chemicals.
- Substitute detergents for chromerge or solvent cleaning.
- Reduce volume or toxicity of chemicals used in experiments.
- Scale down the experiments involving hazardous chemicals.
- Obtain compressed gas cylinders only from vendors who take back emptied or partially-filled cylinders.
- Control chemical inventory to better track chemical uses.
- The future implementation of chemical exchange program will redistribute surplus chemicals to other researchers who need them and reduce the hazardous waste.
- Good labeling practices promotes the reduction of hazardous wastes.
Battery Recycling
Common dry-cell batteries can create environmental problems and recently have been recognized as a major source fo heavy metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium, nicke. and lithium ion. As a result, batteries are considered a hazardous waste and regulated under universal waste. Used batteries are collected by EHS for recycling r disposal as hazardous waste. The following rechargeable batteries should be collected by the EHS and sent to a contracted vendor for recycle. Keep batteries out of trash by calling EHS for recycling and appropriate disposal.
- Nickel Cadminu (Ni-Cd)
- Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH)
- Lithium ion (Li-ion)
- Lead acid (<2 lbs)
- Lead battery
Electronic Waste Recycling
USC generates thousands of computers, monitors, copies, fax machines, printers, and other electronic items that have become obsolete due to the rapid advances in technology and an expanding demand for new featured equipment. Computer and television monitors contain lead, phosphorus, cadmium, barium, and mercury. Circuit boards, batteries, and cathode ray tubes (CRT) also contain lead, mercury, hexavalent chromium. A typical TV or CRT monitor may contain 4 pounds of lead.
Federal and state regulations do not allow the disposal of E-waste in regular trash landfills because they contaminate soil and ground water. These electronic waste should be collected by EHS for recycling and proper disposal. The University Surplus resales used electronic equipment. USC Surplus can be reached at 213-743-4512. If electronic equipment cannot be reused, contact EHS at 213 740 7215(UPC) or 323 442 2225 (HSC).
Mercury Reduction
Mercury is a naturally occuring element that poses a harmful property to human and environment. Once inorganic forms of mercury get into a sewer system, they can be transformed into organic mercury forms through microorganism in sediments and bioaccumulated in the environment. These bioaccumulated organic forms of mercuy makes it particulary hazardous human and animals.
- Removal of Mercury-containing Devices - Mercury is commonly used in laboratory equipment such as thermometers, pressure gauzes, and nonometers. The replacement of mercury containing devices with an non toxic substitute becomes more readily available and easier to use.
- Fluorescent Light Tube Recycling - Fluorescent light tubes contain mercury, and can pose an environmental hazard when disposed imporperly through a regular trash can. Recycling used lamps is desirable over land filling or incineration, since these tubes may eventually contaminate soils and ground water. The University manages used fluorescent lamps as a restricted waste and EHS collects and sends them to an approved recycler.
Silver Recovery
USC generates photochemical wastes from X-ray and photo processes which may contain silver nitrate. The photo chemicals can either be treated by a silver recovery system and or picked up by EHS as a hazardous waste.
Chemical Solvents for Fuel
Chemical solvents such as toluene, xylen, benzene, and other solvents are collected from research and clinical laboratories and sent to be blended with other fuels to process cement kilns.
Non-hazardous Solid Waste Stream Management by Building and Ground Services
Mandated by the SB 939, the USC Building and Ground Sercies manages solid waste streams and diverts the fifty percent of the facility's solid wastes from landfills by implementing;
- recycling paper, aluminum, gass, plastic, metal, cardboard, etc
- Sending wastes to an energy conversion plant in Commerce, Ca.
- Sending wastes to a Material Recovery Facility
Check the Building and Ground Service Solid Waste Management Website for further information