Office of Environmental Health and Safety

Universal, and Hazardous Waste Handling

Purchase College is responsible for disposing of waste materials following applicable New York State and Federal regulations and in an environmentally-conscious manner.

Waste, other than general trash, generated on campus generally falls into one of two categories: Universal Waste or Hazardous Waste. Here is overview of waste items and how they are handled.

Universal Waste

Universal Wastes are certain hazardous wastes that are generated in large quantities but present a limited hazard. The “Universal Waste Rule” is designed to encourage recycling and proper disposal of some common, widespread, hazardous wastes.

Universal Wastes are exempt from hazardous waste regulations, but must still be managed separately from general trash. There are six categories of universal waste:

• Lamps
• Batteries (other than alkaline; for example, rechargeable batteries)
• Pesticides
• Mercury-containing equipment (MCE)
• Aerosol cans – added to regulation in 2023
• Paint – added to regulation in 2023

Universal Wastes are collected, stored and packed by EH&S. They are transported off campus by a waste handler for proper recycling.

Keep in mind that materials you have at home for personal use that you dispose of in your household trash may be considered ‘hazardous’ when used and disposed of at SUNY Purchase.

Hazardous Waste

Hazardous waste is defined by four key characteristics: ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, and toxicity, which indicate a potential threat to human health and the environment.

Here’s a more detailed explanation of each characteristic:

Ignitability

This refers to wastes that can easily catch fire and sustain combustion, such as flammable liquids, solids or gases, certain paints, degreasers, and solvents.

Corrosivity

This characteristic identifies wastes that are acidic or alkaline (caustic) and can corrode metal or other materials, posing a risk to infrastructure and potentially causing chemical burns. Some examples are rust removers, acidic or alkaline cleaning fluids, and battery acid.

Reactivity

This describes wastes that are unstable and explode or produce toxic fumes, gases, and vapors when mixed with water, or under other conditions such as heat or pressure. Some examples are certain cyanides, and peroxides.

Toxicity

This refers to wastes that are harmful or fatal when ingested or absorbed, or if they leach toxic chemicals into the soil or ground water when disposed of on land. Some examples are wastes that contain heavy metals, such as cadmium, lead, or mercury.

Hazardous Wastes are collected and stored in the individual area where generated. Disposal requires an inventory of all waste that will be transported off campus for disposal. A hazardous waste handler is contracted who packs, manifests, and transports the waste off campus ensuring proper disposal.

General Rules

Always think before you throw something in the trash at SUNY Purchase.

Alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9 Volt, and “button” coin sized) are considered non-hazardous and can be disposed of in the Library, lower level, in designated bins. Before placing batteries in the bins, you must:

• Tape the terminals of all 9V batteries.
• Not include batteries with liquid electrolyte.
• Not include Lithium-Ion batteries.

Please DO NOT leave ANY bulbs loose & unprotected anywhere on campus.

The cathode ray tube (CRT) in computer monitors and televisions contain lead and must be handled as hazardous waste unless they are recycled.

Flat screen monitors do not contain lead and are not hazardous - however they should still be recycled.

If in doubt about which category of waste an item falls under, or to arrange pickup of Universal Waste, contact EH&S (x6022 or louis.wirtz@purchase.edu) for assistance.

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