Waste Pick-Up Requests (CampusOptics)

Introduction 

Using a simple process, CampusOptics enables UK to systematically track and document all aspects of its hazardous (and other special) waste generation, management and disposal activities.  Not only does CampusOptics serve as a critical component of UK’s regulatory compliance strategy it also provides an uncomplicated and proficient means for those who generate the waste to ensure its safe and timely pick-up by trained personnel from the Environmental Quality Management Department (EQM).

Within the CampusOptics system, the individual generator is responsible for creating Waste Pickup Requests for each container of waste, as well as generating the hazardous waste label that corresponds to the container.  These labels are attached to each container normally by insertion into a special plastic sleeve provided by EQM or simply taped onto the container.  Information on the Waste Card includes:

• The exact location of the waste (i.e., building name and room number),
• The chemical constituents which are present by percentage,
• The date on which the waste container is full and ready for pick-up, and
• The Principal Investigator’s name.
• The Waste Pickup Requests are submitted electronically within the CampusOptics system by the generator when they are ready for a pick-up.  All pick-up requests from campus and HealthCare are consolidated on a Pickup Sheet for EQM personnel to view.
• Utilizing the Pick-Up Sheet, EQM regularly schedules the pick-up of waste from the various waste-generating locations both on and off campus.  Unless a special pick-up is requested, waste is picked up within five working days of receipt of the submitted Waste Pickup Request.
• After verifying that the information on the Waste Pickup Request matches the container information at the generator’s location, EQM staff picks up the waste containers and transports them to the on-campus permitted hazardous waste storage facility, the Environmental Quality Management Center (EQMC).  At the EQMC and using the information provided by the generator on the Waste Pickup Request the EQM staff prepares all waste for final disposition.
• Adam Cook of EQM has been designated as the official administrator of the CampusOptics system.