Pollution Prevention and Waste Minimization
The Pollution Prevention and Waste Minimization program provides support to reduce SLAC’s impact on the land, water and air quality through elimination or reduction of waste released to the environment.
Program Contacts
Although recycling is an important component to our waste reduction efforts, greater environmental benefits are achieved through source reduction and reuse. When planning and conducting work, consider “the three R's”:
- Reduce is the best method for minimizing waste. It reduces the amount of waste by modifying procedures to use less material and by substituting materials such as less or non-toxic materials.
- Reuse Reuse means re-using a product without modifying or altering it.
For SLAC owned items no longer needed, including equipment and office products, submit items to
SLAC Salvage who will look for re-use, sales, transfer, and recycling options. Salvage also has items
available for re-issue. If you have unused and unexpired excess chemicals that may be reusable, look around your organization to see if someone else can use
them or contact the
Hazardous Materials Program Manager for help in finding a user.
- Recycle a material if it cannot be reused. SLAC has recycling programs in place to accept recyclable material.
To close the material lifecycle loop, consider two additional steps:
- Compost organic materials that cannot be reduced, reused or recycled. For more information on SLAC’s compost program, click here.
- Buy green materials, such as material made with recycled content. For a list of green purchasing resources, click here.
For tips on incorpoarationg sustainable practices at SLAC events, click here to view the Sustainable Event Guide.
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SLAC is implementing a Zero Waste Program (ZWP) at
new buildings and is phasing in the program at existing buildings as
resources allow. The Zero Waste
Program has been implemented at the SLAC Café, and Buildings 028, 901,
950, and 999 and will soon be implemented at Buildings 052, 750 and 055
(the SLAC recreation center). The goal of the
ZWP is to maximize recycling and minimize trash to landfills by
enhancing the building’s waste collection systems.
A description of the ZWP may be found here.
Building Managers may request that their building be placed on
the ZWP program implementation queue by contacting the Zero Waste
Program Manager.
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SLAC's Specific Recycling Programs
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 Paper (formerly called "Mixed Paper")
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Nearly all types of paper, including newspaper, junk mail and hardback
and paperback books are acceptable in SLAC′s Paper recycling program. SLAC uses 32 and 64 gallon green rolling carts to collect paper
for recycling. Building occupants are responsible for taking their paper
materials for recycling to the
green bins labeled as “Paper Recycling” which are staged both inside and
outside of buildings throughout SLAC. If you need additional green bins in your building, please
contact your
building manager
who may order additional carts through a
Facilities Service Request.
Paper contaminated with food and oils, such as napkins, pizza boxes, and
doughnut boxes are NOT acceptable for recycling in the Paper Recycling
carts or Cardboard Recycling bins. Pizza boxes, napkins, and doughnut boxes (without plastic
windows) may be placed in bins labeled as "Compostables" or the trash.
 Plastic
bags, bubble-wrap, and air-pillows may be recycled in the Paper
Recycling carts. These materials should be dry and clean, and placed in
a single bag if multiple bags are being recycled so that they can be easily pulled out once they
reach the recycling sorting yard.
Paper Recycling carts are used to collect these materials instead
of the carts used for the collection of Plastics, Cans & Glass in order
to keep the plastic bags dry.
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Plastics, Cans &Glass (formerly called "Bottles &Cans")
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  Many types of containers are acceptable in SLAC’s
Plastics, Cans & Glass recycling program. SLAC uses 32 and 64 gallon green
rolling carts to collect containers for recycling. Building occupants are responsible for taking their
containers for recycling to the green bins labeled as the “Plastics, Cans & Glass” which are staged both
inside and outside of buildings throughout SLAC. If you need additional green bins in your building,
please contact your building manager who may order additional carts through a Facilities Service Request.
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Compostables
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Containers for compostable organic materials such as food waste, plants, and certified compostable
food serviceware, are currently available in limited areas at SLAC. Please see SLAC Zero Waste Program Information for a description of the program and locations where the program has been implemented.
Containers to collect compostable waste at events may be ordered by the
event coordinator through a Facilities
Service Request. If compost collection containers are to be provided, it is required that all of
the disposable food serviceware provided for the event must be certified compostable by the Biodegradable
Products Institute or 100% paper, free of poly or wax coatings. The event organizer must arrange for
staff or volunteers to monitor the bins. The bins must be clearly labeled, and each compost bin should
be accompanied by a recycling container for “Plastics, Cans, and Glass” and a container for landfill waste
(i.e., non-compostable, non-recyclable trash).
For tips on incorpoarationg sustainable practices at SLAC events, click here to view the Sustainable Event Guide.
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Additional Resources
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PDF Version of Container Labels:
- Compostables, 8.5 x 11 inch
- Compostables, 2.5 x 8.5 inch
- Landfill, 8.5 x 11 inch
- Landfill, 2.5 x 8.5 inch
- Paper, 8.5 x 11 inch
- Paper, 2.5 x 8.5 inch
- Plastics, Cans, and Glass, 8.5 x 11 inch
- Plastics, Cans, and Glass, 2.5 x 8.5 inch
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Cardboard
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 Corrugated cardboard has three layers with the middle cardboard layer groove. This material should be deposited
for recycling in an outside dumpster labeled "Cardboard Only" or “Corrugated Cardboard”. Other types of cardboard,
usually called paperboard (looks like the same material used for cereal boxes) can be recycled with the Paper recycling.
When recycling corrugated cardboard boxes, please remove contents and flatten the boxes.
Cardboard contaminated with food, such as pizza boxes, are not recyclable
and should not be put in the cardboard recycling
bin or other SLAC recycling bins. Pizza boxes are only acceptable in bins labeled as "Compostables".
Cardboard collection dumpsters are typically shared by buildings. If you do not know how cardboard
is handled in your building or where the nearest dumpster is located, check with your building manager or the Facilities
Service Desk (x8901).
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Green Waste
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Bins for Green Waste, or vegetation waste, such as materials generated during landscaping activities, are staged on site at SLAC.
Additional bins may be ordered for large jobs requiring vegetation removal. Contact Facilities Service Desk (x8901) or place a
Facilities Service Request online for access to containers staged on site or for ordering additional containers.
Small quantities of vegetation wastes such as plants and flowers are also acceptable in bins labeled as "Compostables".
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Scrap Wood
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Untreated wood, such as wood from pallets or shipping crates, can be recycled. The SLAC Facilities Department stages bins on site
for collection of untreated wood and can order additional containers for large projects.
Contact Facilities Service Desk (x8901) or place a Facilities Service Request online for access to containers staged on site or
for ordering additional containers.
Wood treated with a chemical preservative—for example pressure-treated boards and posts—must be disposed of properly as hazardous
waste. Treated wood must be disposed though SLAC’s Waste Management Group.
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Scrap Metal, Wires, and Cables
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Construction and Demolition Recycling
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The Facilities Department can arrange for bins for uncontaminated mixed construction and demolition (C&D) debris, such as wall
board, tiles (non-asbestos), concrete, and wood waste that will be generated during construction or demolition project. The
Facilities Department also stages these bins on site, which may be used to deposit materials from small jobs. Contact Facilities
Service Desk (x8901) or place a Facilities Service Request online for access to containers staged on site or for ordering additional
dedicated containers.
Where C&D work is not performed using SLAC supplied bins, waste and recycling quantities must be reported to the Waste Minimization
Coordinator for inclusion in annual required reporting.
Contaminated C&D debris, such as asbestos or PCB containing materials, should be disposed through SLAC’s Waste Management Group.
Materials coming out of a Radiological Area must be cleared by the Radiation Protection Department Field Operations Group (x4299)
prior to placing in a trash or recycling container.
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Batteries
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All spent and waste batteries must be properly managed; many types can be recycled and others must be disposed of as hazardous waste.
Batteries used in items such as flashlights, calculators, pagers, and cameras usually contain lithium, nickel-cadmium, carbon-zinc,
silver-oxide, or mercury-oxide. Consumer use batteries are in the "universal waste" category and must never be put in the trash.
To find an established battery collection station (or to establish a station near a particular work area), contact the Waste Management Group or your building manager.
Batteries such as those used in cars, forklifts, electric carts, and emergency power supplies are of the lead-acid type, which must be
recycled. SLAC Fleet Services Group handles storage and shipment for off-site recycling of these types of batteries. For detailed
information, see Hazardous Waste: Fleet Services Handling Requirements for Used Automotive-type Lead-acid Batteries [pdf].
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Electronic Waste
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Electronic wastes, such as computers, monitors, laptops, printers, VCRs, DVD players, cell phones, calculators, digital cameras, fax
machines, mice/keyboards, and other items with electronic parts cannot be placed in the trash. Electronic waste should be transferred to SLAC Salvage for recycling.
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Flash Drives, Compact Disks (CDs), and other Memory Storage Devices
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If you have flash drives or compact disks that are no longer need, please complete a salvage form (parts A and B) then put the disks in SLAC mail to Property Control/Salvage Warehouse, Mail Stop 85A (x2329), or drop them off directly at the Salvage Warehouse. |
Lamps and Bulbs
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Many types of light bulbs, also referred to as "lamps," contain mercury, including but not limited to fluorescent tubes and lamps,
compact fluorescents, metal halide lamps, high pressure sodium lamps, mercury vapor lamps, and some neon lamps. It is illegal to
dispose of mercury-containing lamps in the trash. Contact the Waste Management Group for collection and recycling of all spent lamps
including halogen and incandescent (which do not contain mercury).
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Styrofoam Packing Materials
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Unfortunately, Polystyrene (also known as Styrofoam or #6 plastic) packaging materials (peanuts or large blocks) are not accepted
in SLAC's recycling program due to current limitations in recycling of this material.
When possible, please work with the company providing the product to minimize packaging and utilize alternatives to Styrofoam such
as paper, molded paper, bubble wrap or air pillows. If they cannot, another alternative is to see if the vendor can take back the packaging for reuse.
Styrofoam peanuts may be accepted by SLAC's Shipping and Receiving Department for reuse. Please coordinate with Sandra Pickrom (x4247). If you cannot
find a reuse for the styrofoam, it should be bagged and placed in the trash. Small pieces, such as peanuts, should be bagged and sealed prior to
placing in the trash to avoid littering during container unloading and transport.
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Bubble Wrap, Plastic Bags, Plastic Sheeting, Air Pillows
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Clean and dry plastic bags, bubble wrap, plastic sheeting, and air pillows may be recycled
by putting them in the green recycling carts used for Paper recycling.
The Paper recycling carts are used to collect these materials instead of the
carts used for the collection of Plastics, Cans & Glass recycling carts in order to keep them dry.
Place these materials in single bag if multiple bags are being recycled so that they
will be easily seen when they reach the
recycling sorting yard.
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Toner Cartridges, Used
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Most used toner cartridges will be taken back for recycling by SLAC's eShop office product supplier Staples. Used cartridges should be placed in
the original packaging, or that of the like replacement cartridge, and given to the driver upon the next scheduled delivery. If no current deliveries
are scheduled, a pick up order can be generated by contacting customer service at 1.888.238.6329 and providing your specific location and contact
information. There is no charge for this service.
If a vendor does not take an item back for recycling, the cartridge
must be properly managed as hazardous waste and needs to be disposed through
the Waste Management Group.
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Transparencies
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For transparencies used in overhead projectors, please place up to 50 transparencies in an inter-office envelope and mail to the attention of Waste
Management, MS 36. (If there are more than 50, please use a separate envelope for the rest.) Please send transparencies only; separate transparencies
from accompanying paper or protective plastic wrappers.
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