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. 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. 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. 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. The program is funded by private donations, and local, state, and federal grants to provide services at no charge to the client.

WRP ASSISTED CHEMICAL CLEAN-OUT OF TWO DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS Collected Outdated and Obsolete Chemicals from a UNCA Chemical Building Collected Outdated and Obsolete Chemicals from a UNCA Chemical Building Helped with the Industrial Chemical Clean-out after a Business had shut down (ECUSTA Corporation) Helped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

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

TECHNIQUES/JUDGEMENTS USED UNCA CLEAN-OUT Examine all chemical storage bottles, cans, bags vials on shelves and in cabinets and refrigerators. 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 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 Water soluble and non-hazardous chemicals were washed down the drain with ample amounts of water All removed chemicals were categorized by: 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 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 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 All of this information was listed in a notebook and given to the safety officer for proper inventorying

ECUSTA CORPORATION WRP helped with the chemical clean-out after the business had been shut down WRP helped with the chemical clean-out after the business had been shut down Inventories and MSDS existed and were quite well organized 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 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 There were very few hazardous chemicals in the mix Chemicals were organized in alphabetical groups on benchtops for speed and convenience Chemicals were organized in alphabetical groups on benchtops for speed and convenience

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. 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 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’. 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. Disposing of as many chemicals as possible defrayed the cost of professional disposal services. Inconveniences to be expected with shut-down businesses: 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

RECOMMENDATIONS Install an “Electronic Management System” for inventory management to avoid duplication. There are ‘free’ ones available. 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. 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. 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. 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.

RECOMMENDATIONS continued Keep alert for offering surplus chemicals to local schools or other businesses and organizations that can use them. 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”. 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. 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. Personnel involved in the clean-out should never work alone!! They should work as a team and have appropriate backgrounds to recognize problem areas.

RECOMMENDATIONS continued Use appropriate safety procedures for handling the chemicals, e.g. Fume hoods, apron, chemical splash goggles, fire extinguisher, gloves, etc 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. 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. 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. Chemical Removal and Disposal are serious undertakings. Examine your options carefully and responsibly.

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