Safe Chemical Waste Management and Increasing Recycling Efforts
The University of Pittsburgh’s Pitt Sustainability Plan has a focus on responsible materials and waste handling and Pitt’s Department of Environmental Health & Safety is a big part of that work, working to minimize the impact of proper chemical waste disposal on the environment.
Every year, EH&S strives to recycle, re-use, or re-purpose 60% of the University’s chemical waste. In 2022, EH&S exceeded that mark and reached 70% chemical waste diversion from landfill.
“Diverting 70% of the University’s chemical waste from landfill in calendar year 2022 is a new and amazing achievement, in line with our Pitt Sustainability Plan goal to reduce campus-wide landfill waste 25% by 2030 (from 2017 levels),” said Aurora Sharrard, Pitt’s Executive Director of Sustainability. “It’s exciting when partners like EH&S across campus wholeheartedly embrace sustainability, applying their expertise to helping embed more sustainable solutions not just in their own departmental efforts, but in the outcomes of laboratories campus-wide.”
Waste Watchers
Sometimes, the sources of campus waste can be surprising.
“The School of Dental Medicine generates old amalgam wastes, which need to be handled properly,” said Keith Duval, the EH&S environmental manager and a certified hazardous materials manager. “People don’t even think about the various points of waste generation throughout campus. Overall, the scope is pretty enormous. It’s campuswide and includes regional campuses and many off-campus Pitt locations.”
Additionally, while materials like oil and antifreeze are not technically hazardous waste, there are still environmental concerns associated with them. EH&S makes sure these materials are managed appropriately and disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner, said Duval.
“If these chemicals enter the wastewater system, they may be toxic to aquatic organisms. EH&S is an advocate for not disposing of chemical-related materials down the drain or in the general trash stream. EH&S is responsible for evaluating waste streams and then making the appropriate waste determination.”
When there’s a chemical Pitt can’t handle, EH&S partners with Veolia North America to work on disposal.
Samantha Chan, assistant director of sustainability and co-chair of Pitt’s Sustainable Laboratories Committee, said EH&S is one example of how an individual department can make a conscientious effort to advance sustainability at Pitt now and in the years to come.
“EH&S efforts showcase how every department is instrumental in building a thriving culture of sustainability at Pitt,” she said. “As active members of the new Sustainable Laboratories Committee, EH&S helps advance sustainability in laboratories and research practices across campus, including those advancing sustainability in their spheres of influence by becoming designated Pitt Green Labs.”