Hazardous waste generated at CCRI is collected by laboratory instructors, laboratory
paraprofessionals and maintenance personnel who have received special
training. See CCRI's Hazardous
Waste Management Plan. Waste is segregated and stored in properly
labeled containers in Satellite Accumulation Areas until the designated
containers are filled. Within three days of filling, the containers must be
transported to the Main Hazardous Waste Storage Area at each
campus. Transport may be arranged by calling the Physical Plant office at
each campus at 333-7047(Flanagan), 825-1177(Knight), 455-6044(Liston) or
851-1606(Newport). Since all hazardous waste generators in Rhode Island are
classified as Large Quantity Generators, filled waste containers may only be
stored for a maximum of 90 days. The Chemical Safety Coordinator arranges
for waste pickups by a licensed hazardous waste vendor at ten-week intervals
to stay well within the 90-day allowed time limit. Special pickups and
emergency cleanups may be arranged through the Chemical Safety Coordinator
whenever needed. Tentative disposal dates for the remainder of 2008
are: July 21; October
7; December 9.
Announcements of each pickup are made several weeks in advance in CCRI's Crier with e-mail notification sent to individuals and departments with specific needs. Every announcement includes a reminder not to dispose of any chemicals down the drain or in the trash, a reminder of EPA hazardous waste regulations, instructions on filling out hazardous waste labels, and a list of materials that should be sent out. The list includes unneeded, excess, outdated or unused chemicals; unneeded mercury thermometers, manometers and barometers; laboratory, art studio, machine shop, garage and darkroom wastes; used cleaners, oils, batteries, fluorescent lights, fluorescent light ballasts, oil-base paints, aerosol cans, degreasing solvents, old gasoline, and paint thinner.
Biological and medical wastes are not included in hazardous chemical pickups. Their disposal is handled on a different schedule by a different vendor. See Regulated Medical Waste Disposal.
Only waste generated by CCRI activities may be disposed of through CCRI's Hazardous Waste Disposal program. No household wastes or any other wastes generated outside the college in the course of non-college activities my be brought to CCRI for disposal. Household wastes generated in Rhode Island may be taken to the state's ECO-DEPOT as described in the section below.
For advice on handling, labeling storing and disposing of hazardous waste at CCRI, call Rick Foote, Triumvirate Environmental Outsourcing Program Director at ccrifoote@ccri.edu, 617-686-6184 or 401-333-7129 or Chris Swartzel Triumvirate Environmental Field Chemist at ccriswartzel@ccri.edu, 617-839-3586 or 401-333-7129.
The EPA's Office of Solid Waste has published a booklet on frequently-asked Satellite Accumulation Area questions. This publication may be downloaded at http://www.epa.gov/osw/specials/labwaste/memo-saa.htm.
For those interested in learning more, the EPA maintains an educational website at http://www.epa.gov/osw/ on the handling and disposal of all types of solid waste and hazardous waste.
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Household Hazardous
Waste Disposal
The CCRI Hazardous Waste Disposal program is for wastes
generated by college activities only. The chemical safety coordinator cannot accept any wastes generated outside the college. However, the state of
Rhode Island funds a hazardous waste disposal program for Rhode Island
residents. The Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation (RIRRC)
has taken over the state's ECO-DEPOT household hazardous waste program
from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. RIRRC is
located at 65 Shun Pike in Johnston, RI. Wastes are now collected in
Johnston near the Central Landfill instead of Fields Point in Providence.
The program is free for Rhode Island homeowners and drop-offs must be scheduled
ahead of time. Only household waste from Rhode Island residents are accepted
by RIRRC. Examples of materials accepted for disposal are: aerosol cans,
antifreeze, automotive batteries, fluorescent lights, lawn chemicals, mothballs,
pool chemicals, propane tanks, oil-based paints, paint thinners, pesticides and
herbicides. Motor oil and gasoline are not accepted.
To make an appointment, to get driving directions or to
ask disposal questions, call the recycling hotline at 401-942-1430,
extension 241. You can read about RIRRC
at the company website at
A new program enables state residents to dispose of their waste without having to travel to the Central Landfill. Collections are now conducted at satellite locations in Rhode Island in addition to the Central Landfill. For more information, call 401-942-1430, ext 241 or visit www.rirrc.org.
Check the Household Hazardous Waste disposal schedule at http://www.rirrc.org/main.cfm?guid=eda67235-1c2e-4f89-8b9e-69a9f24c107b&sec_id=45 for collections planned at the Johnston Landfill and at other convenient satellite locations.