Best References: Laboratories (Research and Testing)

Laboratories are traditionally a source of hazardous and chemical waste that is difficult to generalize because of the wide variety of chemical testing and processing that is performed in individual labs throughout the country. However, all laboratories can make efforts to reduce both the amount of chemicals they use and the amount of wastes they generate through chemical or waste reduction and reuse techniques. Hazardous waste reduction in laboratories can be highly economically advantageous to facilities by reducing disposal costs. Process modifications or procedures such as solvent reclamation and reuse can decrease chemical purchasing costs. Even small changes such as a switch to bulk chemical storage containers, spill prevention techniques, or testing smaller quantities of samples can result in significant savings. This sector focuses on non-teaching laboratories and includes information on laboratory waste reduction, waste management, chemical handling, and specific problem wastes such as mercury.
Date Last Updated: 11/19/2007

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Case Studies | Fact Sheets | Manuals | Web sites |

Case Studies |

Full Title: CASE STUDY: North Carolina State University
URL: /12/11411.pdf
Length: 2 pages
Date: January 2001
Full Work Author: DPPEA
Abstract: N.C. State University (NCSU) is a research and teaching institution serving more than 25,000 students and employing more than 10,000 faculty and staff. The University aimed to reduce solid waste in classrooms, dormitories, laboratories, offices, dining halls, and at other campus facilities.
Full Title: Toxics Use Reduction Case Study - Reducing Mercury Discharge at a Testing Laboratory
URL: /03/02191.pdf
Length: 4 pages
Date: December 1995
Full Work Author: Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, Office of Technical Assistance
Abstract: This large analytical laboratory identified thimerosal, a preservative, contained in test kit reagents as the source of mercury contamination in its wastewater. Mercury discharge was reduced from 0.3 to 0.001 mg/l by substituting non-mercury testy kits and by wastewater treatment using carbon adsorption.

Fact Sheets |

Full Title: Hazardous Waste Reduction for Chemistry Instructional Laboratories
URL: /19/18010.pdf
Date: June 1988
Section Author: Bergstrom, Wils and Marlys Howells
Abstract: A total of 106 chemistry instructional laboratory experiments were written or modified to minimize hazardous waste generated by microscaling amounts of chemicals used or by making substitutions with less hazardous or non-hazardous chemicals. Each of the experiments was tested at least once by students as part of the curriculum and evaluated for clarity and performance. Each experiment was modified based on the evaluation and compiled into 2 manuals (first year and second year). These experiments should be useful to high school or college level instructors for incorporating into their curricula to reduce the generation of small quantities of hazardous waste from chemistry labs.
Full Title: Pollution Prevention Guide for Laboratories
URL: /03/02779.htm
Full Work Author: Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission
Abstract: This factsheet is a short, general guide to pollution prevention in laboratories. It includes P2 guidelines, alternative materials substitutions, chemical inventory control, P2 in hospital labs, and P2 training. Specific alternatives are suggested for the common reagents carbon tetrachloride and stearic acid.
Full Title: Research and Educational Laboratory Waste Reduction
URL: /04/03852.pdf
Date: November 1997
Full Work Author: Office of Pollution Prevention, Ohio EPA
Abstract: This fact sheet includes information on laboratory pollution prevention through management practices, chemical purchasing policies, training, and specific lab practices.
Full Title: Waste Minimization Fact Sheet No. 1 - 101 Ways to Reduce Hazardous Waste in the Laboratory (11/98)
URL: /01/00257.pdf
Length: 5 pages
Date: 11/98
Full Work Author: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Division of Environmental Health and Safety, Chemical Safety Section
Abstract: A simple list of ways to reduce hazardous waste in the laboratory, including eighteen possible chemical substitutions.
Section Title: Commercial Laboratories: Intra-Laboratory Methodologies
Full Title: Waste Reduction--Pollution Prevention: Progress and Prospects within North Carolina
URL: /19/18019.pdf
Length: 4 pages
Date: 1988
Full Work Author: Gray, Jeri et al.
Section Author: Feild, Rosanne

Manuals |

Full Title: Environmental Management Guide for Small Laboratories
URL: /16/15829.pdf
Length: 146 pages
Date: May 2000
Full Work Author: US EPA, Office of the Administrator
Abstract: The Environmental Management Guide for Small Laboratories, second edition (May 2000) was developed by EPA to help the staff in small labs better understand their responsibility for environmental management. Its purpose is to improve environmental performance by assisting in the development and implementation of environmental management systems or programs that meet important federal requirements and prevent pollution. It is intended as a good starting point, but must be supplemented by state, local, and tribal regulations and by good management practices.
Full Title: Laboratory Audit Waste Reduction Options Checklist
URL: /01/00253.htm
Full Work Author: Klein-Banay, Cindy; Maier, Chuck; Ashbrook, Peter.
Abstract: This document is a checklist designed to help small laboratories determine their waste generation, waste handling, waste reduction to date, and future waste reduction options.
Full Title: Reduction Techniques For Laboratory Chemical Wastes (Project Title: Management Strategies and Technologies for the Minimization of Chemical Wastes from Laboratories)
URL: /01/00373.pdf
Length: 76 pages
Date: 1990
Full Work Author: Field, Rosanne A.
Full Title: Waste Minimization Manual: Analytical Laboratories
URL: /04/03277.pdf
Length: 35 pages
Full Work Author: Alberta Environmental Protection (AEP), Action on Waste
Abstract: Alberta Environmental Protection's guide to P2 in analytical labs. Includes specific waste minimization opportunities and a step-by-step process to develop a waste minimization plan.
Section Title: Mercury Use: Laboratories
Full Title: Wisconsin Mercury Sourcebook - A Guide to Help Your Community Identify and Reduce Releases of Elemental Mercury
URL: /05/04015.pdf
Length: 25 pages
Date: May 1997
Full Work Author: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Watershed Management
Section Author: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Watershed Management
Abstract: This document is one chapter of the Wisconsin Mercury Sourcebook, a working document created to help communities identify and reduce the purposeful use of mercury. It contains information on mercury-containing laboratory products, case studies on the source substitution experiences of labs, action ideas that describe source pollution prevention, recycling, and management practices for a lab mercury reduction plan, and current mercury projects in this sector.

Web sites |

Full Title: Green Chemistry Institute
URL: http://www.chemistry.org/portal/a/c/s/1/acsdisplay.html?DOC=greenchemistryinstitute\index.html
Full Work Author: American Chemical Society
Full Title: The Canadian Pollution Prevention Information Clearinghouse
URL: http://www.ec.gc.ca/cppic/en/search.cfm?txtSearchString=laboratories
Full Work Author: The National Office of Pollution Prevention, Canada
Abstract: This site contains a searchable database of pollution prevention information. From the main page, choose the laboratories subsection and then search for specific areas of concern. Most documents are available on-line.

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Content provided by N.C. Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance and Waste Reduction Resource Center through a grant from the EPA.