Hazardous Waste Management 
The
Office of Environmental Health and Safety is responsible for ensuring that
all regulated wastes are managed in accordance with federal, state, and
local regulations. EHS personnel provide technical assistance and guidance
to members of the University community on proper handling, storage, and disposal
of wastes generated from research, teaching, maintenance, and construction
activities. Safe, efficient, and environmentally sound management of chemical,
universal, radioactive and biohazardous wastes from generation to disposal
is of primary importance to the University.
Wastes are regulated by several state and federal agencies on the UNH campus:
- Hazardous (Chemical) Waste: The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services' Hazardous Waste Rules (NHDES Env-Wm 110-1000) govern the management of chemical waste under the authorization of EPA.
- Universal Waste: Universal waste is a category of hazardous (chemical) waste that during accumulation and transport poses a low risk to health and environment. These wastes include batteries, lamps, antifreeze, cathode ray tubes, pesticides and mercury containing devices. The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services' Universal Waste Rules (NHDES Env-Wm 1100) govern the management of universal waste.
- Radioactive Waste: The New Hampshire Radiological Health Section is authorized by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to regulate handling and disposal of radioactive waste.
- Biohazardous Waste: Biohazardous waste is managed in accordance with NHDES Solid Waste Rules (Env-WM 2604 Infectious Waste).
Compliance with these stringent regulations is a joint effort between University faculty and staff and OEHS personnel.
Waste Management Programs
Hazardous (Chemical) Waste - UNH has developed a Hazardous Waste Management Plan designed to communicate the methods the University will use to properly manage chemical hazardous waste. As part of hazardous waste management, online Hazardous Waste Management Training is provided for those who generate or handle hazardous waste at UNH. Please contact Jeff Anderson or Marty McCrone if you need to complete this training, but are not yet enrolled. OEHS has developed a fact sheet for the proper disposal of fluorescent tubes and mercury vapor lamps. OEHS has also written a one-page summary of Satellite Accumulation Area (SAA) Requirements.
Biohazardous Waste - Information regarding the management of biohazardous waste can be found in the UNH Laboratory Safety Plan (Chapter 10, Section 7 Biohazardous Waste Disposal Practices). Please refer to the Training Classes for biological safety training or contact the Laboratory Safety Officer.
Radioactive Waste - The procedures for proper management of radioactive waste can be found in the UNH Radiation Protection Program Manual. Please refer to the Radiation Safety Training at the University of New Hampshire page or the Radiation Safety Officer for information on required radiation safety training for UNH students and employees.
Scrap Electronics - The Office of Environmental Health and Safety manages the disposal of scrap electronics for the University. Scrap electronics includes CPUs, monitors, televisions, keyboards, mice, photocopiers, printers, various types of laboratory analytical devices, or any other electronic device that contains a circuit board. With the exception of computer monitors and televisiounivens (cathode ray tubes), which are regulated under the Universal Waste Rules, (see the Universal Waste Management Plan for details) these items are not specifically required to be managed as regulated waste. However, due to the lead content of printed circuitry, and the potential for other hazardous materials in electronic devices, scrap electronics must not be disposed in the municipal waste stream.
Waste Disposal Requests
Scrap electronics must first be approved for disposal by the UNH Purchasing department. After completing the Request to Scrap Form, the Purchasing department will approve the item(s) for disposal, and copy EHS and the person requesting the disposal. EHS will then contact the requester to arrange for pick up of the scrapped items.
Disposal requests for biohazardous, chemical, and universal waste can be made by contacting Marty McCrone or Jeff Anderson via email, telephone or by filling out the Waste Pick-Up Request Form. When contacting EHS, provide information on the type and amount of waste, location of waste, department and contact name/phone number of waste generator.
To dispose of radioactive waste contact the Radiation Safety Officer or designee. The RSO will set an appointment with the radioactive waste generator to have the waste removed from the laboratory. The radioactive waste generator must provide the RSO or designee with the following information at the time of pickup: type of waste (radionuclide and state - solid or liquid), amount of waste, activity of waste, location of waste, and contact name/phone number ofradioactive waste generator.
NHDES Links
- All About Batteries
- Cleaning Up Household Spills of Elemental Mercury (Hg)
- Contaminated Cloth Wipes for Laundering
- Federal and State Regulations: Hazardous Materials and Waste
- Household Hazardous Waste
- Hazardous Waste Transporter Frequently Asked Questions
- Management of Fuel and Water Mixtures
- Management of Lead-Based Paint Waste
- Management of Post Consumer Paint for Recycling
- Management of Veterinarian Wastes
- Management of Waste Photoprocessing Solutions
- Mercury Added Products Legislation
- Mercury-Containing (Universal Waste) Devices: Management Requirements for Handlers and Transporters
- Ni-Cd Battery Recycling Program
- Pollution Prevention Tips for Paint
- Proper Management of Cathode Ray Tubes from Computer Monitors and Televisions
- Reducing your Hazardous Wastes
- Universal Waste Batteries: Management Requirements for Handlers and Transporters
- Universal Waste Lamps: Information for Small Businesses
- Universal Waste Lamps: Management Requirements for Handlers and Transporters
- Waste Antifreeze: Management Requirements for Handlers and Transporters