rehab the lab - 1998 to 2002 local haz waste mgmt program dave waddell [email protected]
TRANSCRIPT
What’s the Issue?
• October 1957 Sputnik launched
• The U.S. panics• By 1960: $4,000,000,000 in
grants to schools for science• Schools buy hazardous science
lab chemicals by the case
• They’re still there!
Project ObjectivesJointly Developed w/ Ecology
• Protect kids, teachers and environment
• Work with the whole school
• Eliminate old chemical stockpiles
• Reduce hazardous waste generation
• Improve chemical storage practices
• Long-term incorporation of pollution prevention strategies
What Problems Have We Seen?
• Improper disposal
• Incompatible storage
• Degraded containers
• Degraded chemicals
• Excess chemicals
• Poorly designed facilities
The Process• Schedule visit
• Identify & mark unneeded containers
• Signature of pollution prevention pledge
• Conduct full school audit
• Provide vendor list
• Wastes shipped, 100% cost coverage
• Follow-up to evaluate, educate, leave cues
Accomplishments Through 2002• 577 site visits to 324 schools
– 72 high, 76 middle, 43 other, 133 elementary schools
• 84% (7,607 lbs) high risk chemicals shipped– Saw 761.2 lbs Hg materials, shipped 664.5 lbs (87%)
• Disposed 38.2 tons haz chemicals (1,410 drums)• Treated potential chemical explosives at 44 schools • 20 workshops to >350 teachers given• WA State Governor’s Award - 2001
So, What’s Up?
• Increased US Focus Issue– IA, MA, IN, KS, CO, VT,
OH, WA, OR (pilot)
• Washington Grants – $500K from Ecology – 75% match disposal
– 100% match for audits
– Counties & Districts
– April 2002 to June 2003 Pic from Iowa
Washington Hg Legislation-School Implications
• Plan for proper disposal• Mercury Compounds
– Can’t purchase, remove by 2004
• Bulk Mercury– Can’t purchase, remove by 2004
• No new manometers • No new thermometers unless
used for calibration
Leveraging This Opportunity• Kid’s Opportunities
– Safe environment
– Learning with chemicals
• Teacher’s Opportunities– Increased safety & awareness
– Small scale chemistry
• Agency’s Opportunities– Avoiding chemophobia
– New partnerships
– Feel good about impacts