This chapter of the 2016 Audit focuses on understanding household hazardous waste needs concerning waste produced by students, staff, and faculty. Hazardous waste is defined as waste that is dangerous or potentially harmful to our health or that of the environment, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Items like batteries, computers, cell phones, printer ink cartridges, light bulbs, and electronics are classified as hazardous waste, and can be found in homes, hence the label ‘household hazardous waste.’
It is important for the university to create a household hazardous waste collection and disposal program for student, staff, and faculty generated waste to ensure these dangerous items are not being sent to landfills. For more information, refer to Chapter 4 of the 2016 Environmental Audit, written by Amelia Cunningham.