Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
Carbondale, Illinois
Joshua Steffen
Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIUC) is a large public university
that generates and consumes a commensurate amount of waste and electricity.
Center for Environmental Health and Safety (CEHS) at the SIUC Campus coordinates
all activities associated with environmental regulatory compliance. CEHS
is comprised of four sections including Environmental Compliance, Laboratory
and Hazardous Waste, Occupational Health and Safety, and Radiological
Safety. Physical Plant Engineering Services (PPES) is responsible SIUC
has many small residential buildings that lie just outside of the main
campus perimeter.
The intern worked on two main projects that included finding an alternative
hazardous waste disposal method and to reduce energy consumption of outlying
houses on campus. Other projects included investigating the use of a chemical
dispensary and reducing radiological waste incineration on campus.
Result:
- Hazardous Waste. Tissue digesters were found to
be a feasible alternative to sending waste off site. By purchasing a
tissue digester, the university would save $4,850 per year as well as
create fertilizer that could be used on SIU farms. Due to the high initial
cost of a tissue digester, research funding may be necessary.
- Chemical Management. A chemical pharmacy would include
a centralized chemical storage and distribution center on campus managed
by CEHS. Due to the high initial cost and savings that are difficult
to quantify, much more in depth investigating needs to take place before
any decision can be made.
- Radiological Waste. Radiological waste is a necessary
by product of university level research. Current programs to reduce
the amount of radiological wastes generated have decreased the annual
number of waste boxes from 318 to 202 in two years. Further education
of researchers involved with radioactive materials and awareness of
efficient radiological material usage could further reduce operation
of the incinerator.
- Energy Efficiency. SIU spends approximately $400,000
per year on energy cost for outlying houses and buildings. Because of
the inefficient nature of residential HVAC systems, there is much room
for improvement. By upgrading recommended air conditioning units for
the outlying buildings, more than $7,400 could be saved annually.
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