Division of Support Operations
Hazardous & Industrial Waste
Many people may be surprised by the fact that the District generates hazardous and industrial waste, just like any other business or government agency. Many different types of wastes are generated by our district such as used oil and solvents from transportation facilities, unused or expired chemicals from our chemistry labs and fluorescent light bulbs containing mercury.
One of the ECO’s primary goals is waste minimization by encouraging schools and different programs/facilities to reduce the amount of materials they purchase and to reuse materials on site where possible. If not possible, then ECO always tries to find another district use for these materials or will donate them to a charitable organization. When all else fails and these materials become wastes, ECO ensures they are disposed of in accordance with environmental laws.
As a school or District facility, how do I handle the following materials or issues?
Light ballasts
Call the ECO at PX 45154. ECO will provide milk crates for ballasts. These milk crates should not be filled past the handles and all wires should be removed from the ballasts for disposal. All ballasts will be saved for ECO pickup. Place crates in a convenient and easily accessible place for pick-up, as crates weigh ~90 pounds each when full.
The current light bulb recycling vendor should be contacted directly when a school/facility has accumulated a certain amount of bulbs. Currently, the vendor should be called when the school/facility has a minimum of 10 boxes of used bulbs. If the school/facility does not have enough storage room, the ECO should be contacted and other arrangements will be made. Bulbs should be stored in a dry place in the original box they came in if possible. Each box should also be labeled with a Universal Waste Label with the school’s name and date the first bulb is put in the box. These labels are provided by the vendor when they pick up the old bulbs. The ECO can also provide them if necessary. Please refer to bulletin P-13359-COO/P-09C-28LK for current vendor and minimum pick up quantities, since this will change over time.
Hazardous Waste/Universal Waste
Call the ECO at PX 45154. For School District materials, ECO will schedule profiling and pickup of materials through one of our waste contractors. For materials provided by the General Contractor (GC), the GC is responsible for removal and proper disposal.
Spill/Emergency Response
Call the ECO at PX 45154. ECO will respond immediately! ECO will coordinate between all responders to the spill and notify other offices as required! Do not notify the State Warning Point at the State Emergency Response Commission (SERC). For materials provided by the General Contractor, the GC is responsible for emergency response and proper clean up and disposal.
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs)
All chemical materials used throughout the District need a Material Safety
Data Sheet (MSDS). One copy should be kept near the location where the material is being used. A binder with all the MSDSs should be kept in the office or a central location. All personnel need to be made aware of this location and should read the MSDSs that are appropriate to their workstation. A copy of all MSDSs should be sent to ECO for permanent file. Contractors need to provide MSDSs for chemicals used on the work site.