Pollution Prevention and Waste Management

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 Buildings 024, 028, 035, 040, 041, 050, 051, 052, 053, 055, 057, 120, 123, 137 E&W, 270, 750/751, 901, 950, and 999. The goal of the ZWP is to maximize recycling and minimize trash to landfills by enhancing the building’s waste collection systems. Please see the description of the ZWP [ Internal

pdf] for more information.

Building Managers may request that their building be placed on the ZWP program implementation queue by contacting the Zero Waste Program Manager.

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. Paper Recycling Bin

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. Plastic Recycling Bin

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 [pdf] 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, view the Sustainable Event Guide [pdf].

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 Recycle Bin

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).

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".

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.

Metals should not be placed in the trash at SLAC. Not only can SLAC send scrap metals off for recycling and receive money back, but there may be radiological screening and hold restrictions on metals coming from certain areas. Contact the SLAC Salvage Warehouse (x2329) for collection of scrap metal. Salvage staff can help to arrange for collection containers, proper separation methods and pickup of these or other salvageable items.

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.

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].

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.

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).

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.

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.

Most used toner cartridges will be taken back for recycling by SLAC's eShop office product suppliers. 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 the contract manager, Katherine Coh, 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.

Zero Waste Program at SLAC

Pollution Prevention and Waste Minimization

Program Contacts

SLAC Specific Recycling Programs

Paper (formerly called "Mixed Paper")

Plastics, Cans & Glass (formerly called "Bottles & Cans")

Compostables

Cardboard

Green Waste

Scrap Wood

Scrap Metal, Wires, and Cables

Construction and Demolition Recycling

Batteries

Electronic Waste

Flash Drives, Compact Disks (CDs), and other Memory Storage Devices

Lamps and Bulbs

Styrofoam Packing Materials

Bubble Wrap, Plastic Bags, Plastic Sheeting, Air Pillows

Toner Cartridges, Used

Transparencies

Additional Resources