The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was established as an independent agency under the Executive branch of the U.S. Government on December 2, 1970. Since then more than a dozen major statutes or laws form the legal basis for the programs managed under this agency with more than thirty governing the management of chemicals and hazardous waste. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) of 1976 gave EPA the authority to control hazardous waste from the "cradle-to-grave," including handling, storage, transportation, treatment, and disposal.
Hazardous waste is a waste with properties that make it dangerous or potentially harmful to human health or the environment. It can be solid, liquid, contained gas, or sludge. In RCRA terms, it is defined as any waste that appears on one of the four hazardous wastes lists (D-list, F-list, K-list, P-list, or U-list), or exhibits at least one of four characteristics: ignitable, corrosive, reactive, or toxic/poison. Hazardous waste is regulated under RCRA Subtitle C. For more information on the RCRA statute, visit RCRA Laws and Regulations.
The Georgia Environmental Protection Division was established to implement federal hazardous waste rules and regulations in the state of Georgia. Augusta University (Augusta University) must meet federal, state, and local requirements for management of chemicals and hazardous waste. This is accomplished through Augusta University Environmental Health & Safety Division (EH&S).
The Chemical Safety Officer oversees all hazardous chemical waste operations at Augusta University.
Services and resources provided include: Collection & Disposal of Hazardous Chemical Waste generated on campus , assistance with chemical management and Laboratory Clearance when a lab closes or moves, resources to collect and maintain chemical inventories in laboratories, and resources to support laboratory/chemical transfers from one researcher to another.
The Chemical Safety Office will also provide consultation services for handling and management of hazardous waste generated in individual laboratories.
Do not dispose of chemicals down drains or in the trash without written authorization from the Chemical Safety Office
For more information or assistance with handling and management of chemicals and hazardous waste, contact the Chemical Safety Office at 706-721-2663.
