Waste

Several municipal solid waste management practices, such as source reduction, recycling, and composting, prevent or divert materials from the wastestream. Source reduction involves altering the design, manufacture, or use of products and materials to reduce the amount and toxicity of what gets thrown away. Recycling diverts items, such as paper, glass, plastic, and metals, from the wastestream. These materials are sorted, collected, and processed and then manufactured, sold, and bought as new products. Composting decomposes organic waste, such as food scraps and yard trimmings, with microorganisms (mainly bacteria and fungi), producing a humus-like substance.

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Wastes
Nearly everything we do leaves behind some kind of waste. Households create ordinary garbage. Industrial and manufacturing processes create solid and hazardous waste. The Office of Solid Waste (OSW) regulates all this waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).

Featured Waste Resources:

Healthy School Environments Assessment Tool (HealthySEAT)
HealthySEAT is a new software tool from EPA designed to help school districts conduct voluntary, customized self-assessments of their school facilities for environmental, health, and safety hazards.
Source: EPA - Office of Air and Radiation - Indoor Environments Division
http://www.epa.gov/schools

California -- Sustainable Schools
This website provides a diverse collection of sustainable building resources that will help schools create high performance educational facilities that will ensure the optimal health and productivity of students and faculty.
Source: California Division of the State Architect
http://www.sustainableschools.dgs.ca.gov/sustainableschools/

EPA Mercury Website
This mercury site provides a broad range of information: actions by EPA and others, including international actions; effects on people and the environment; and how to protect you and your family.
Source: EPA - Office of Solid Waste - Office of Solid Waste
http://www.epa.gov/mercury/

Environmental Compliance and Best Management Practices Guidance Manual
This comprehensive environmental manual is available on-line in both English and Spanish.
Source: EPA - Region 2
http://www.epa.gov/region02/children/k12/

Environmental Health and Safety in the Arts
This environmental health and safety manual covers art education and production. This manual is available on-line in both English and Spanish.
Source: EPA - Region 2
http://www.epa.gov/region02/children/k12/artpdf.htm

High Performance School Design Online Training
Interactive courses on this site are offered free of charge as a public benefit for design and engineering professionals specializing in sustainable design for K-12 schools. High performance school design integrates daylighting, indoor air quality, and energy efficiency to build a school that runs efficiently, saves money, protects natural resources, and provides superior visual, acoustical, and thermal comfort.
Source: New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
http://www.hpschooldesigntraining.com/nyserda/home.jsp

LEED for Schools
The LEED for Schools Rating System recognizes the unique nature of the design and construction of K-12 schools. Based on the LEED for New Construction rating system, it addresses issues such as classroom acoustics, master planning, mold prevention and environmental site assessment.
Source: U.S. Green Building Council
http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=1586

Managing Your Environmental Responsibilities: A Planning Guide for Construction and Development
EPA guidance manual that provides the construction industry comprehensive environmental information.
Source: EPA -- Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance
http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/publications/assistance/sectors/constructmyer/index.html

New Hampshire Healthy School Environments
This website provides links to resources to help schools assess and address health, safety and environmental issues in school buildings. Both a fact sheet on NH Department of Environmental Services (NH DES) efforts to customize EPA's HealthySEAT , as well as New Hampshire customization of the software may be downloaded from this site.
Source: New Hampshire Department of Envrionmental Services Air Resources Division - Air Resources Division
http://www.des.nh.gov/ARD/EHP/HSE

Underground Storage Tanks: Inspection Checklists
This checklists covers regulations issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under 40 CFR 280. The purpose of these regulations is to reduce the likelihood of leaks of hazardous substances from these tanks into soil and ground water and to ensure timely detection and abatement of such releases.
Source: EPA - Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2004-101/chklists/n63ust~1.htm

Washington -- Rehab The Lab Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County, Washington
Rehab The Lab is a free service to King County Schools to help them manage their hazardous chemicals. A site user can download fully scripted lesson plans for least-toxic chemistry labs, information on ways to reduce chemical stockpiles in biology labs, and a list of chemicals whose risks outweigh their educational utility. The program's long-term objectives include improving schools' chemical storage practices, reducing their hazardous waste generation rates and helping them incorporate practices and lesson plans that will reduce their chemical liabilities.
Source: Washington - King County Department of Natural Resources - Local Hazardous Waste Management
http://www.govlink.org/hazwaste/schoolyouth/rehab

Whole Building Design Guide
The WBDG provides government and industry practitioners with one-stop access up-to-date information on a wide range of building-related guidance, criteria and technology from a whole buildings' perspective.
Source: National Institute of Building Sciences -- Whole Building Design Guide
http://www.wbdg.org/index.php

Brownfields Clean-up and Redevelopment
EPA is working with States and localities to develop and issue guidance that will clarify the liability of prospective purchasers, lenders, property owners, and others regarding their association with and activities at a site.
Source: EPA-Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response - Office of Brownfields Clean-up and Redevelopment
http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/liab.htm

California - Los Angeles Unified School District Product Review Database
Searchable database of over 5,000 products evaluated by the LAUSD Office of Environmental Health and Safety to determine their suitability for use in and around Los Angeles schools.
Source: Los Angeles Unified School District - Office of Environmental Health & Safety
http://www.lausd-oehs.org/productreview.asp

Connecticut - Hazardous Waste and Your School in Connecticut
This fact sheet developed by EPA Region 1 describes how to determine if a school generates hazardous waste, and general information pertaining to hazardous waste identification numbers.
Source: EPA Region 1
http://www.epa.gov/ne/assistance/schools/pdfs/ctfact.pdf

Connecticut Mercury Education and Reduction - School Lab Cleanout Program
This website provides access to information about mercury reduction and education efforts in the state of Connecticut. Posted is a report detailing CT DEP's 2002-2003 School Lab Cleanout Program, which assisted 37 schools, at a cost of $160,000.
Source: Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection - Bureau of Waste Management
http://www.ct.gov/dep/lib/dep/mercury/gen_info/mcleanout.pdf

Illinois Teaching Learning Knowing the Facts About Mercury
This Illinois Department of Public Health website contains information about mercury, geared to various audiences: teachers, students and parents.
Source: Illinois Department of Public Health
http://app.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/mercury/Default.htm

Maine - Hazardous Waste and Your School
This fact sheet developed by EPA Region 1 describes how to determine if a school generates hazardous waste, and general information pertaining to hazardous waste identification numbers.
Source: EPA Region 1
http://www.epa.gov/ne/assistance/schools/pdfs/mefact.pdf

Massachusetts - Hazardous Waste and Your School
This fact sheet developed by EPA Region 1 describes how to determine if a school generates hazardous waste, and provides general information about hazardous waste identification numbers.
Source: EPA Region 1
http://www.epa.gov/ne/assistance/schools/pdfs/mafact.pdf

New Hampshire - Hazardous Waste and Your School
This fact sheet developed by EPA Region 1 describes how to determine if a school generates hazardous waste and general information pertaining to hazardous waste identification numbers.
Source: EPA Region 1
http://www.epa.gov/ne/assistance/schools/pdfs/nhfact.pdf

New York State Department of Education Office of Facilities Planning
Contains a wide range of resources on environmental and occupational safety and health issues affecting school facilities.
Source: New York State Education Department - Office of Facilities Planning
http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/facplan/HealthSafety.htm

Tennessee School Lab Chemical Cleanout Campaign
The primary goals of the TN progam are to remove potentially dangerous chemicals from schools, while educating teachers and students about proper chemical management, lab safety, greener teaching options, and chemical waste disposal. This is a two-year program, funded largely by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Source: Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation's Division of Community Assistance - Tennessee Pollution Prevention Partnership
http://www.state.tn.us/environment/sc3/

Vermont - Hazardous Waste and Your School
This fact sheet developed by EPA Region 1 describes how to determine if a school generates hazardous waste, and general information pertaining to hazardous waste identification numbers.
Source: EPA Region 1
http://www.epa.gov/ne/assistance/schools/pdfs/vtfact.pdf

Chem Info Net
The Chem Info Net designed as a chemical health and safety resource for teachers, administrators, and service personnel. The site is an ongoing project and information will be added on a regular basis. The initial focus is on laboratory safety and chemicals used in the science curriculum. The information presented is based on current regulations and prudent practices. Local regulations may differ from National Standards. Please consult local and state agencies if standards or procedures are unclear.
Source: Maine School of Science and Mathematics - (aka Limestone Community School)
http://www.cheminfonet.org/

Connecticut Pollution Prevention in Institutions - Schools, Hospitals, Universities
This web site provides information about CT DEP's mercury reduction and chemical clean-out work with schools. There is also a link to available pollution prevention presentations for schools.
Source: Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection - Pollution Prevention Program - Office of Pollution Prevention
http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2708&q=323984&depNow_GID=1763&depNow

Connecticut -- School Composting - The Next Step in Recycling
This manual, written specifically for K-12 schools, outlines the steps necessary for establishing and maintaining a successful school-wide composting program for cafeteria food scraps.
Source: Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection - Recycling Program
http://www.ct.gov/dep/lib/dep/compost/compost_pdf/schmanual.pdf

EPA Region 7: Chemical Management and Usage
Proper chemical management is critical to preventing and/or controlling a variety of Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) issues within any facility. Understanding the materials present at the school will enable you to understand the issues associated with these substances. Properly recognizing and controlling the hazards inherent to these materials will enhance your ability to create a safe school with minimal environmental liabilities.
Source: EPA Region 7- Burlington Board of Health
http://www.epa.gov/Region7/education_resources/teachers/ehsstudy/ehs1.htm

Kentucky Green and Healthy Schools
The Kentucky Green and Healthy Schools (KGHS) Program is a new, voluntary effort to empower students and staff with the tools needed to take action and make their school operate at peak efficiency.
Source: Kentucky Green and Healthy Schools
http://greenschools.ky.gov/

Maine Department of Education Facilities Management Template
Includes a draft ME School Facilities Maintenance Plan including checklists for Maintenance, Operations, Grounds, Custodial, and Vehicle Services
Source: Maine Department of Education
http://www.maine.gov/education/const/fmt.htm

New England Resources for Schools
This website provides links to the Regional schools topics page, hazardous waste fact sheets, examples of the types of environmental issues found in schools, and other links of interest to the schools community.
Source: EPA Region 1
http://www.epa.gov/ne/assistance/schools/index.html

Iowa Rehab the Lab
Rehab the Lab can assist with management education and disposal options for unwanted hazardous chemicals.
Source: Iowa (Polk County) Metro Waste Authority
http://www.metro-waste.com/sch_reh.html

Oregon Waste Reduction Awareness Program (WRAP)
The Department of Environmental Quality in partnership with the Association of Oregon Recyclers created the Waste Reduction Awareness Program (WRAP) in 1993 to recognize school waste reduction programs that are permanently integrated into both school operations and classroom curricula.
Source: Oregon Department of Environmental Quality - Solid Waste Policy and Program Development Section
http://www.deq.state.or.us/lq/education/wrap.htm

Colleges and Universities in New England
Colleges and universities grapple with a myriad of environmental issues in order to protect the health of their communities and comply with the law, both on and off campus.To improve C/Us' overall environmental compliance, EPA-NE has launched a coordinated enforcement/compliance assistance effort aimed at reaching all of New England's colleges and universities.
Source: EPA Region 1
http://www.epa.gov/ne/assistance/univ/