Recycling should be investigated. Hazardous Waste Minimization Requirements EPA defines waste minimization as the reduction, to the most feasible extent, of hazardous waste that is subsequently treated, stored and disposed of. Waste minimization includes any source reduction or recycling activity undertaken by a generator that results in either the reduction of the total volume or quantity of hazardous waste, or the reduction of toxicity of hazardous waste, or both, so long as the reduction is consistent with the goal of minimizing the present and future threat to human health and the environment. The main ideas behind waste minimization are toxicity, volume reduction and material substitution. Toxicity reduction means reducing the degree of hazard associated with the raw material that, consequently, reduces the degree of hazard of the waste.
Material substitution means the use of lesser or even nontoxic materials.
The South Carolina Hazardous Waste Management Regulations and the ever rising costs for disposal, dictate that all possible efforts be taken to eliminate or reduce the generation of hazardous waste. Clemson University departments are responsible for assessing each source of hazardous waste within their operations and for establishing control measures to ensure that the least possible amount of waste is generated. Current equipment that produces a hazardous waste stream and can be replaced by a new technology that reduces or eliminates that waste stream shall be given high priority in the selection and procurement of replacement equipment. No greater quantity of a hazardous reagent shall be procured than will be necessary to satisfy immediate planned usage. Unused chemical overstock constitutes a large portion of hazardous waste generated at Clemson University.