BEST PRACTICES

Even when not required by environmental regulations, the following best practices are recommended. Although some of the recommended best practices listed below do not apply to activities at a waste storage facility, they are presented here to reinforce that waste reduction is most effective when applied at the point of generation.

Air Quality

• Implement microscale chemistry techniques where possible.
• Make sure the caps and container lids on volatile chemicals are secure.
• Do not store chemicals in laboratory fume hoods.
• Substitute less toxic or less volatile chemicals in processes where possible.

Wastewater

• Review processes and procedures for opportunities to minimize wastewater generation.
• Use organic dishwashing solutions instead of chromic-sulfuric acid mixtures when washing glassware if possible.

Hazardous Waste

• Minimize the amount of chemicals stored in the lab to the minimum quantities needed to avoid having to dispose of chemicals that expire or deteriorate during storage.
• Develop an inventory of chemicals no longer needed in your lab that could possibly be used by another.
• Where possible substitute less toxic chemicals where toxic chemicals are used in a procedure or process.
• Evaluate ways to reduce the amount of toxic chemicals used in lab procedures.
• Explore methods to re-use or recycle spent solvents, unused paints, cleaners, and other chemicals.
• Avoid contaminating non-hazardous waste streams with hazardous, radioactive or biohazardous material.

Radioactive and Mixed Waste

• Use low volume liquid scintillation vials.
• Use radionuclides with short half lives that can be allowed to decay in storage prior to disposal.

Non-Hazardous and Special Waste

• Use two sided copying
• Make procedures, MSDSs, manuals and other documents available electronically
• Use e-mail instead of hard copies
• Share trade periodicals
• Use reusable containers
• Use rechargeable batteries