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Pollution Prevention Guideline for Academic Laboratories

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Barbara Ray

Safety and Risk Management Department, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881

Edwin Li and Stanley M. Barnett

Chemical Engineering Department, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881

J. Chem. Educ., 2003, 80 (1), p 45

DOI: 10.1021/ed080p45

Publication Date (Web): January 1, 2003

Abstract

Academic institutions often are not considered significant sources of environmental pollution. However, academic laboratories often generate large quantities of wastes (including hazardous waste) as by-products of instructional and research activities. Many teaching laboratory experiments were designed focusing solely on the learning objectives. Therefore, many of these experiments unnecessarily generate large quantities of wastes that must be properly handled and disposed. The pollution prevention guideline focuses on teaching laboratories and follows the pollution prevention hierarchy as established by the EPA. A methodology has been designed to assist schools to re-examine current laboratory practices (educational and research) and to evaluate different approaches that can be used to eliminate or reduce waste generation.