Environmental Health & Safety at CU Boulder facilitates biological, hazardous and radioactive waste disposal for the entire campus. From laboratory regulation and government compliance to residential and classroom disposals, EH&S ensures the safety of students, researchers and the environment. Environmental Health and Safety can be reached at 303-492-6025 to assist you with questions and concerns about this and other safety, health and environmental protection matters.
Hazardous Materials & Waste Management Unit
The Hazardous Materials and Waste Management (Hazmat) unit serve the CU Boulder campus community through the education, minimization, and appropriate disposal of hazardous materials. In addition, the unit manages the disposal of certified non-biohazardous wastes; manages a campus battery recycling program; operates a chemical treatment facility; assists with an acetone recycling program and an ethanol reuse program; and response to spills of hazardous materials. Other services we provide include guidance on equipment disposal/remediation and pollution prevention and spill prevention.
Valuable, detailed guidelines pertaining to laboratory-worker health and safety practices and the management of hazardous wastes can be found in the Hazardous Waste Generators’ Guide.
Construction Hazardous Materials
Lab Chemicals & Hazardous Materials
Household/Personal Hazardous Waste Disposal
Many products used in the home, garden, garage and hobby shop contain hazardous ingredients and need to be disposed of safely. Don’t put it down the drain or in the trash, Boulder County will dispose of your household hazardous waste for free. Anything that is toxic (rat poison, pesticides, bleach), flammable (lighter fluid, paint remover) or corrosive (oven and drain cleaner).
The Boulder County website lists of items they do and do not accept and tips on reducing your waste. These household hazardous wastes cannot be accepted by EH&S’s chemical hazardous waste program. There is more information on residential waste management from the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment.