Environmental Stewardship: Pollution Prevention & Waste Minimization

The University’s wastewater generator discharge permit specifies that non-sewerable materials are not to be disposed of down the drain. All sanitary, process, and laboratory waste is “treated” at the Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant (RWQCP) prior to discharge into San Francisco Bay.

• Wastewater: BMP Factsheet - summarizes best management practices and requirements at Stanford. The City of Palo Alto periodically collects wastewater samples to check for the presence of non-sewerable materials from sites specified in the permit.
• Programs for Emerging Pollutants - The Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant strives to stay abreast of emerging contaminants that may become pollutants of concern.
• Soldering Dos & Don’t’s - Post information at all soldering workstations as a reminder of best practices and requirements when soldering.
• Water Bath Algicides can contain copper that will harm fish and wildlife. Information and a short list of non-copper algaecides that should be used to reduce the amount of copper released into San Francisco Bay is provided as guidance for labs.
• Fumehood Cupsinks - RWQCP recommends taking unused fumehood cupsinks out-of-service. (Plug with a rubber stopper, covered, and labeled as "not available")
• Water aspirators - RWQCP requires that water aspiration devices be removed from water faucets.
• Mercury Thermometer Replacement Alternatives - School of Medicine buildings are “Mercury-free” so replace old thermometers with “mercury-free” alternatives.

The Palo Alto Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant, where Stanford's wastewater ends up eventually, has strict wastewater discharge requirements to protect South San Francisco Bay from pollutants. Improper disposal or accidental chemical spills to the laboratory sink drains could impact water or wastewater quality. Proper storage and disposal of chemicals safeguard against such occurrences. 

For more information, see:

• Wastewater: BMP Factsheet (from the City of Palo Alto)
• Wastewater Management (from LBRE)

Mercury is a toxic pollutant and is listed as one of 12 priority chemicals. In the laboratory, mercury-containing compounds present a health hazard and spills from broken thermometers are costly to clean up and dispose of. A mercury thermometer can be easily identified by the presence of a silver bulb. If the bulb is red, blue, purple, green or any other color, it is most likely not a mercury thermometer.

For more information, see: Mercury Thermometer Replacement Alternatives.

Gives researchers a direct means of improving the environment by reducing the volume of chemicals being purchased and disposed of as waste. EH&S maintains an inventory of over 300 free, unused and unopened chemicals available for immediate use and will be delivered promptly to the requesting laboratory. Participation in the program not only reduces purchase and disposal costs, but it also reduces the significant environmental impacts associated with chemical waste disposal. 

For more information, see: Surplus Chemical Program.

For laboratories include cleaning/sterilizing/rinsing substitutions, and the use of nonhazardous or less toxic chemical alternatives.

For more information, see: Laboratory Product Substitution Opportunities.

I nclude analytical equipment modifications, neutralization/deactivation/recovery protocols, and micro-scaling processes. Please consider incorporating as many of the following into your research as practicable.

For more information, see: Laboratory Process Modification Opportunities

Diverts qualifying containers and materials disposed from labs from going to the landfill.  Most glass, metal, and plastic containers (excluding pyrex type lab glass) can be recycled.  It is critical that containers meet the definition of an empty container prior to being recycled.

For more information, see: Lab Bottle Recycling