UW Sustainability
Container Recycling and Reuse
University of Washington
Seattle
Harborview Medical Center
UW Tacoma
UW Bothell
2000
Ongoing
EHS collects used, clean empty metal and plastic drums from campus departments that receive bulk chemicals. EHS reuses them to store and transport hazardous waste. This program saves the UW up to $10,000 a year on container costs, and reuses over 2,000lbs of what would otherwise be solid waste. Additionally, empty chemical containers are very difficult to manage as solid waste.
Fun Facts:
New hazardous waste containers cost at least $40 each!
Reused drums are free to EHS!
Empty chemical containers are very difficult to manage as solid waste!