This document was prepared by Cindy Klein-Banay, Chuck Maier, and Peter Ashbrook of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign as a part of a study of laboratory waste minimization grant funded by the Illinois Hazardous Waste Research and Information Center.
I. Management Strategies
1. Does your laboratory have either a formal or informal waste reduction
policy?
Check all that answers that apply.
___ Yes, our laboratory has a formal waste reduction policy.
___ Yes, our laboratory has an informal waste reduction policy.
___ No, our laboratory has not yet established a formal or informal waste
reduction policy.
___ Other (Specify):_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
___ DON'T KNOW
2. Training and incentive programs can reduce waste generation,
handling, and disposal costs. Has your laboratory implemented training
programs to inform your research assistants/students about proper waste
management techniques, including waste reduction, or implemented incentive
programs that reward your research assistants/students for their suggestions
on ways to reduce waste and generate cost savings at your
facilities? Check all answers that apply.
___ Implemented training programs in waste handling or management.
___ Implemented training programs in waste reduction.
___ Implemented incentive programs (awards and/or recognition) for waste
reduction and cost savings.
___ Manuals such as "Less is Better" or "ACS Waste Management Manual for Lab
Personnel" are part of our training.
___ Other (Specify):_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
___ NO, our laboratory does not have a training or incentive program.
(SKIP TO Q. 4)
___ DON'T KNOW. (SKIP TO Q. 4)
3. What have been the results of training and incentive
programs on waste
generation? Check all answers that apply.
___ Reduced waste generation.
___ No reduction in waste generation.
___ Under our incentive program, RA/students have made valuable waste
reduction suggestions that have been implemented.
___ Research Assistants/students have made waste reduction suggestions under
our incentive program, but they have not been implemented.
___ Research Assistants/students have not responded to the incentive
program.
___ Other (Specify): _____________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
___ DON'T KNOW.
___ RESULTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED.
4. Does your laboratory have a chemical inventory control system and/or
purchasing procedures that minimize the waste generated from excess, off-spec,
and past-shelf-life materials? Check all answers that apply.
___ Yes, a chemical inventory system is in place.
___ Yes, our laboratory purchases chemicals only in quantities necessary.
___ Other (Specify): ______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
___ No, our laboratory does not have an inventory control system or
purchasing procedures designed to reduce waste. (SKIP TO Q.6)
___ DON'T KNOW. (SKIP TO Q.6)
5. What have been the results of the inventory control and purchasing
procedures at your laboratory? Check all answers that apply.
___ Reduced amounts of off-spec materials.
___ Reduced amounts of past-shelf-life materials.
___ Reduced purchase of excess quantities of materials.
___ Other (Specify): ______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
SKIP TO TECHNIQUE II.
___ DON'T KNOW.
___ RESULTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED.
6. Why hasn't your laboratory established management strategies for waste
reduction? Check all answers that apply.
___ We do not have information on or examples of management strategies to
reduce waste.
___ We do not have enough personnel or other resources for employee training
or incentive programs.
___ Lack of support from University administration or DEH&S.
___ Other (Specify): ______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
II. Waste Reduction Audits
7. Has your laboratory ever performed a waste reduction or waste generation
audit? Check only one answer.
___ Yes, both.(GO TO Q.8)
___ Yes, reduction.
___ Yes, generation.
___ We have information on file about waste generated and how it is managed.
___ No. (GO TO Q.9)
___ DON'T KNOW. (SKIP TO Q.10)
8. What were the results of your waste reduction audit? Check all answers
that apply.
___ We identified some waste reduction options.
___ We implemented some or all of the waste reduction options that were
identified.
___ Benefits resulted from implementing the waste reduction options
(benefits could include reduced waste management costs, fewer waste
handling problems, less employee exposure to hazardous substances, etc.)
___ No waste reduction options were identified.
___ The waste reduction audit was not completed.
___ The results of the audit were difficult to evaluate.
___ The waste reduction recommendations were not implemented.
___ Other (Specify): ______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
___ DON'T KNOW.
___ RESULTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED.
9. Why haven't you performed a waste reduction audit? Check all answers
that apply.
___ We did not have information on how to conduct a waste reduction audit
___ We do not have enough personnel or time.
___ A waste reduction audit is not warranted because our laboratory has a
limited number of waste streams and/or quantity of waste.
___ We do not feel it is our responsibility.
___ Other (Specify): ______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
III. Better Housekeeping
10. Which of the following housekeeping practices does your laboratory use
to reduce waste generation? Check all answers that apply.
___ An area specificaly for hazardous wastes have been established.
___ The amount of waste in storage is minimized.
___ We have developed procedures to prevent and/or contain spills.
___ Spill kits for mercury, acids/bases, solvents are in the labs or
readily available.
___ Chemicals are stored in their proper locations except when in use.
___ All chemicals containers are properly labeled for content and hazrds.
___ We are familiar with our stock of chemical reagents.
___ Laboratories are regularly inspected by independent parties.
___ Other (Specify): _______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
___ NOT APPLICABLE (SKIP TO Q. 12)
___ DON'T KNOW (SKIP TO Q. 12)
11. What have been the results of better management practices implemented
at your laboratory? Check all answers that apply.
___ Reduced waste generation.
___ Research Assistants/students follow the guidelines.
___ Research Assistants/students do NOT follow the guidelines.
___ The quantity of waste produced was NOT reduced.
___ Other (Specify): _______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
___ DON'T KNOW.
___ RESULTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED.
SKIP TO TECHNIQUE IV
12. Why haven't you implemented housekeeping practices to reduce waste
generation? Check all answers that apply.
___ We lack personnel or time.
___ More specific information is needed for our situation.
___ Other (Specify): ______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
___ NOT APPLICABLE.
___ DON'T KNOW.
IV. SEGREGATION OF WASTES
13. Does your laboratory segregate wastes in order to reduce the generation
of regulated wastes or wastes that are difficult to recycle or treat? Check
all answers that apply.
___ Halogenated solvents are separated from non-halogenated solvents.
___ Recyclable waste/excess chemicals are separated from non-recyclables.
___ Organic wastes are separated from metal-containing or inorganic wastes.
___ Non-hazardous chemical wastes are separated from hazardous wastes and
the most toxic (Cyanides, etc) are separated further.
___ Chemical wastes are kept separate from normal trash (paper, wood, etc.).
___ We dispose of certain liquid chemicals by dilution down the drain.
___ Other (Specify): ______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
___ OUR WASTES ARE NOT SEGREGATED. (SKIP TO Q. 15)
___ DON'T KNOW. (SKIP TO Q. 15)
14. What have been the results of waste stream segregation at your lab?
Check all answers that apply.
___ Decreased volume of wastes generated.
___ Wastes that were previously treated or disposed of are now recycled
at the bench.
___ Wastes that were previously treated or disposed of are now exchanged
with another laboratory or institution.
___ No observed benefits.
___ Other (Specify): ______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
___ DON'T KNOW.
___ RESULTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED.
SKIP TO TECHNIQUE V.
15. Why hasn't your laboratory implemented waste stream segregation
measures? Check all answers that apply.
___ Major time investment would be required.
___ We are unsure of the feasibility of recycling or reusing the
segregated waste streams.
___ Other (Specify): ______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
___ DON'T KNOW.
V. Substitution
16. Do you know which chemicals (e.g., solvents, chromic acid, carbon
tetrachloride) currently used in your lab could be replaced in order to reduce
the amount or toxicity of wastes generated? Check only one answer.
___ Yes, I am aware of substitute materials.
___ Which materials (Specify)? ____________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
___ No, I do not know of any substitute materials.
___ NOT APPLICABLE.
17. Have you substituted non-hazardous or less toxic materials in your
laboratory? Check only one answer.
___ Yes. (GO TO Q. 18)
___ No. (SKIP TO Q. 19)
___ NOT APPLICABLE. (SKIP TO Q. 19)
___ DON'T KNOW. (SKIP TO Q. 19)
18. What have been the results of substitutions in your laboratory?
Check all answers that apply.
___ Costs of raw materials were reduced.
___ Costs of raw materials were not reduced.
___ Experimental results improved or were not affected.
___ Experimental results were poorer.
___ No problems resulted from the substitution.
___ Problems occurred but were resolved.
___ We have continuing problems that resulted from changes in raw materials.
___ We went back to the original material.
___ Research assistants/students approve of the change.
___ Research assistants/students do not like the change.
___ Research assistants/students not exposed to as much toxic materials
___ Other (Specify): ______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
___ DON'T KNOW.
___ RESULTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED.
SKIP TO TECHNIQUE VI.
19. What are the reasons you have not tried substitution in your
laboratory?
Check all answers that apply.
___ Lack of information about suitable substitute materials for our
procedures.
___ Concern for experimental results.
___ Resistance from students/research assistants.
___ Increased materials costs with uncertain benefits.
___ Other (Specify): ______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
___ NOT APPLICABLE.
___ DON'T KNOW.
VI. Experimental Procedures
20. What changes in your experimental procedures have you made to reduce the
quantity of hazardous waste? Check all answers that apply.
For research or analytical laboratories:
___ We have changed our procedures to see if quantities of chemicals could
be reduced.
___ We have changed our procedures to see if different experimental
protocols, producing less waste, could be used.
___ We have explored "no-waste" laboratory manuals.
___ Detoxification or waste neutralization steps have been included in each
laboratory experiment.
___ When preparing a new protocol we consider the waste products and how to
minimize/eliminate the hazardous products.
For teaching laboratories:
___ Demonstrations or video presentations have been sustituted for highly
toxic or large waste generating laboratories.
___ Instrumentation using small quantities has been substituted for older
manual methods using much larger quantities of chemicals.
___ Pre-weighed or pre-measured reagent packets have been considered for
introductory laboratories where waste is high.
___ Waste management has become part of the pre- and post- laboratory
written student experience.
___ NOT APPLICABLE (SKIP TO Q. 22)
21. What have been the results of the experimental procedural changes
implemented by your laboratory? Check all answers that apply.
___ Costs were reduced.
___ Costs were not reduced.
___ Experimental results improved or were not affected.
___ Experimental results were poorer.
___ We have no problems resulting from the redesign.
___ Problems resulting from the change have been resolved.
___ Continuing procedural problems have resulted.
___ Research assistants/students approve of the change
___ Research assistants/students disapprove of the change.
___ Research assistants/students not exposed to as much toxic material.
___ Other (Specify): ______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
___ DON'T KNOW.
___ RESULTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED.
SKIP TO TECHNIQUE VII.
22. What are the reasons you have not made a change in experimental
procedure to reduce your waste generation? Check all answers that apply.
___ Principal investigator does not believe the risks are worth the
potential benefits.
___ Fear of ruining experimental results.
___ Benefit uncertainties.
___ Research assistant or student resistance.
___ Lack of information.
___ Other (Specify): ______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
___ NOT APPLICABLE.
___ DON'T KNOW.
VII. Equipment Modification
23. Has your laboratory done any of the following?
Check all answers that apply.
___ When purchasing new equipment, the type and quantity of waste
generated is a decision criteria.
___ We have purchased equipment that produces less waste.
___ Microscale and small scale techniques are being used.
___ Other (Specify): _______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
___ DON'T KNOW. (SKIP TO Q. 25)
24. What have been the results of the equipment modification(s)
you have tried? Check all answers that apply.
___ The volume of waste generated was reduced.
___ The volume of waste generated stayed about the same.
___ The volume of waste generated increased.
___ The toxicity or hazard of wastes generated was reduced.
___ The toxicity or hazard of wastes generated stayed about the same.
___ The toxicity or hazard of wastes generated increased.
___ Other (Specify): _______________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
___ DON'T KNOW.
___ RESULTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED.
25. What barriers have you encountered when considering or implementing an
equipment? Check all answers that apply.
___ Inability to find suitable equipment vendors.
___ Equipment that reduces waste generation is not available for our
procedures.
___ We do not have enough information.
___ We cannot commit enough personnel or other resources.
___ Major capital investment would be required.
___ We are unsure of the effect such changes would have on our experimental|
results.
___ Our studies indicated that the costs outweigh the benefits.
___ Other (Specify): _______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
___ DON'T KNOW.
X. Onsite Recycling or Recovery for Reuse
26. Do you know which "wastes" in your laboratory can be recycled or reused
by yourself or others in your department or university? Check only one
answer.
___ Yes.
___ No.
___ DON'T KNOW.
27. Have you ever recycled or recovered any of your "wastes" instead of
sending them to disposal through Hazardous Waste Management? Check only one
answer.
___ Yes, all recyclable wastes.
___ Yes, some recyclable wastes.
___ No. (SKIP TO Q.30)
___ DON'T KNOW. (SKIP TO Q. 30)
28. What type of recycling options are used at your laboratory? Check all
answers that apply.
___ Mercury recovery.
___ Separate reclamation unit (e.g., solvent still).
___ We use counter current cleaning.
___ Other (Specify): _______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
___ DON'T KNOW.
29. What have been the results of recycling at your laboratory? Check all
answers that apply.
___ We saved money by recycling.
___ The costs were greater than the savings, e.g., capital costs were greater
than operating costs.
___ There have been no savings or extra costs.
___ We had benefits other than cost savings.
___ Other (Specify): _______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
___ DON'T KNOW.
___ RESULTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED.
SKIP TO TECHNIQUE XI.
30. Why haven't you recycled your wastes? Check all answers that apply.
___ The costs would exceed the benefits.
___ Concerns about quality of recylced material.
___ Inadequate space for recycling equipment.
___ Lack of information.
___ Other (Specify): ______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
___ DON'T KNOW.
XI. Offsite Recycling or Recovery for Reuse (Materials Exchange)
31. Does your laboratory or would your laboratory participate the hazardous
materials exchange at UIUC or with companies off campus? Check only one
answer.
___ Yes, we participate in the exchange program.
___ Yes, we would consider participating the exchange program.
___ We have contacted companies who buy mercury and surplus lab grade
chemicals.
___ Other (Specify): _______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
___ NO, we do not or would not participate. (SKIP TO Q. 35)
___ DON'T KNOW. (SKIP TO Q.34)
32. What types of "wastes" would you like to, or do you already, sell or give
to another laboratory or facility? Check all answers that apply.
___ Acids
___ Solvents
___ Other inorganic chemicals
___ Oils
___ Metals and metal containing solutions.
___ Other organic chemicals
___ Other (Specify): ______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
___ DON'T KNOW
33. What types of "wastes" would you like to, or do you already, buy or
receive from another labrotory? Check all answers that apply.
___ Acids
___ Solvents
___ Other inorganic chemicals
___ Oils
___ Metals and metal containing solutions.
___ Other organic chemicals
___ Other (Specify): ______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
___ DON'T KNOW
____ WE would not buy or receive "wastes" from another laboratory.
(SKIP TO Q.35)
35. Why doesn't your laboratory participate in the exchange?
Check all answers that apply.
___ Chemical quality concerns.
___ Lack of information.
___ Research assistant/student resistance.
___ Shortage of personnel or other resources
___ Lack of management support.
Other (Specify): ______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
DON'T KNOW.
.