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Guidelines and Policies
Note – call Emergency x 7777 in the event of a hazardous materials spill.
State and federal regulations are in place to help us improve our handling of hazardous materials. Bard is responsible for materials classified as hazardous waste and universal waste after they leave our campus. These items are collected separately from our regular solid waste streams, and have special handling rules.
These policies may help encourage us to reduce our use of hazardous materials, and BERD will facilitate any ‘greening’ programs brought forth by the Sciences, Arts and other high risk departments.
All actively used chemicals must be kept in closed, clearly labeled containers when not in use. Expired chemicals must be taken to a Hazardous Waste area within proscribed time periods.
As a general rule, no chemicals can be sent down the drain – please email if you have any questions about how to dispose of an item.
How to handle:
Broken Glass
Non-contaminated broken glass is to be placed in a plastic bag within a cardboard box. The box will be picked up by Aramark if it is sealed and identified with a label, indicating: "BROKEN GLASS "
Sharps
see Building and Grounds | Policies
Light bulbs
Efficient light bulbs, such as the tube linear fluorescent bulbs, as well as compact fluorescent bulbs contain small amounts of mercury, and should not be broken. Bard electricians will collect and dispose of light bulbs through our Universal Waste Management Plan. Old fashioned ‘Thomas Edison’ style incandescent bulbs can be thrown out in a paper bag or other sealed container and disposed of as regular solid waste.
Cell Phones
Batteries
There are many varieties of household batteries. Small "button" batteries, such as those used in camera and hearing aids, may contain mercury, silver or lithium. Common flashlight batteries, which are usually carbon zinc or alkaline, may contain mercury if manufactured before 1992. Rechargeable batteries most often contain cadmium and nickel. Each of these metal components can pose health hazards.
Alkaline batteries manufactured after 1992 no longer represent a significant disposal problem due to their reduced toxicity. Alkaline batteries generated on a small scale by campus employees can be disposed of as regular solid waste. BERD collects the large volume of alkaline batteries generated from campus security systems, and disposes of them as Universal Waste. Button batteries for watches and hearing aids, as well as rechargeable nickel cadmium batteries should be routed to BERD for disposal as Universal Waste.
Computers and Electronics
A Cathode Ray Tube, abbreviated “CRT”, is the main component in a television and computer monitors display unit. CRT’s may contain several pounds of lead, which is a toxic substance. Other metals are found in circuit boards, power supplies, etc. BERD collects computers and miscellaneous electronics and routes them for recycling through our Universal Waste program in a yearly collection.
Please check with Henderson for salvage options and then schedule a pickup of any Bard owned obsolete computer or other heavy electronics by putting in a Service Request. If there is no salvage value in the materials, you can take the items directly to the south end of the South Storage Building, located at the south end of campus. There are pallet boxes set up for TVs, computers, printers, etc. Alternatively, if the materials are small, please plastic bag them and mark them "Universal Waste" and "name of contents" and they will be routed for recycling by the B&G staff.
for students mark your non salvageable computers as "Universal Waste" and place them curbside when your residence halls trash is put outside.
Used Oil
Used oil is collected periodically for re-use.
Paint
Most paints in use today are either latex or oil-based. Oil-based paints, including enamel, varnish and lacquer, contain solvents which can damage groundwater supplies unless precautions are taken. These items are disposed of as hazardous waste at Bard, though oil-based paints are no longer purchased. Latex paints need to be dried out before disposal as regular solid waste, or emptied of contents and then recycled.
Aerosol Cans
Aerosol Can Policy. Many hazardous materials, such as spray paints or degreasers, may be packaged in aerosol containers. This type of packaging can be dangerous because aerosol containers may explode under heat or pressure, spreading the hazardous contents and metal throughout the area. Also, the tiny particle size makes hazardous components easier to inhale and therefore more destructive. Aerosol cans must be completely empty before recycling.
Toner and ink jet cartridges
Reduce, Reuse Recycle section
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