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CLEAN – OUT

CLEAN – OUT. Alfred C. Glatz, Ph.D. Physical Scientist Waste Reduction Partners Land-of-the Sky Regional Council Asheville, NC. WASTE REDUCTION PARTNERS. A volunteer program of Land-of-the-Sky Regional Council.

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CLEAN – OUT

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  1. CLEAN – OUT Alfred C. Glatz, Ph.D. Physical Scientist Waste Reduction Partners Land-of-the Sky Regional Council Asheville, NC

  2. WASTE REDUCTION PARTNERS • A volunteer program of Land-of-the-Sky Regional Council. • WRP is a group of about 50 retired engineers and scientists, who use their expertise to provide technical assistance to local businesses, industries, and institutions. • Areas of involvement include: water efficiency, energy efficiency and waste reduction. • The program is funded by private donations, and local, state, and federal grants to provide services at no charge to the client.

  3. WRP ASSISTED CHEMICAL CLEAN-OUT OF TWO DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS • Collected Outdated and Obsolete Chemicals from a UNCA Chemical Building • Helped with the Industrial Chemical Clean-out after a Business had shut down (ECUSTA Corporation)

  4. UNCA AT ASHEVILLE, NC • Cleanout Requested by the Campus/Environmental Officer. • Inventory Records were not properly maintained and updated. • MSDS not well-organized and accessible • Lab Manuals were old and required updating • Some faculty members were cooperative and helpful • Other faculty members were not receptive to a cleanout crew removing chemicals from their laboratory

  5. TECHNIQUES/JUDGEMENTS USED UNCA CLEAN-OUT • Examine all chemical storage bottles, cans, bags vials on shelves and in cabinets and refrigerators. • Make decisions to remove those that are decomposed, contaminated and improperly packaged or stored • Water soluble and non-hazardous chemicals were washed down the drain with ample amounts of water • All removed chemicals were categorized by: • Geneva name • Size and type of container • Condition of chemical • Date of purchase • Remove all selected chemicals to a designated area for packing & disposal/recycling by chemical waste haulers • Segregate hazardous chemicals to a special hood for hazardous chemical removal • All of this information was listed in a notebook and given to the safety officer for proper inventorying

  6. ECUSTA CORPORATION • WRP helped with the chemical clean-out after the business had been shut down • Inventories and MSDS existed and were quite well organized • The chemicals were in disarray. They were hauled there and dumped into one room with no regard for their contents • There were very few hazardous chemicals in the mix • Chemicals were organized in alphabetical groups on benchtops for speed and convenience

  7. ECUSTA - Continued • The chemicals that were water soluble and non-hazardous were washed down the drain. ECUSTA had a functional and well-maintained treatment facility. • ECUSTA invited high school and college groups to select wanted chemicals • Bulk chemicals (production quantities) were given to selected clients and others advertised on ‘Waste Trader’. • Disposing of as many chemicals as possible defrayed the cost of professional disposal services. • Inconveniences to be expected with shut-down businesses: • Heat and AC may be turned off • Lighting may be inadequate • Rest rooms may be ill-equipped • Drinking fountains not functioning • Bring necessary protective clothing and equipment (Safety goggles, latex gloves, dust masks, lab coats) since they may be unavailable

  8. RECOMMENDATIONS • Install an “Electronic Management System” for inventory management to avoid duplication. There are ‘free’ ones available. • All members (faculty for a college or school, and lab managers for industry) must ‘buy’ into the Management System. • Assign the operation of the Management System to a committee. • Contact your state Dept. of Education. Many states have a state science supervisor who may be able to make suggestions or advise you about existing disposal programs already operating.

  9. RECOMMENDATIONS continued • Keep alert for offering surplus chemicals to local schools or other businesses and organizations that can use them. • Offer to help client to list large quantities of surplus chemicals on a waste exchange website, e.g. “Waste Trader”. • In many metropolitan areas, there are local sections of the American Chemical Society (ACS). Any area with a lot of chemical industry is likely to have a local ACS section. Contact these professionals for specific information. • Personnel involved in the clean-out should never work alone!! They should work as a team and have appropriate backgrounds to recognize problem areas.

  10. RECOMMENDATIONS continued • Use appropriate safety procedures for handling the chemicals, e.g. Fume hoods, apron, chemical splash goggles, fire extinguisher, gloves , etc • Always practice your intended disposal activity on tiny (micro) sample of the targeted substance before moving on to the larger (macro) size volume. • All of the procedures should be performed in a well-ventilated area. • Chemical Removal and Disposal are serious undertakings. Examine your options carefully and responsibly.

  11. Contact Information Alfred C. Glatz , Ph.D. Physical Scientist Waste Reduction Partners Land-of-the Sky Regional Council 25 Heritage Drive Asheville, NC. 28806-1998 (828)-251-6622

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