The Research Triangle Institute is a not-for-profit research organization conducting
original and contract research in over 60 laboratories with 1400 employees.
Laboratory research areas include radio-labeling of pharmaceutical compounds,
environmental chemical analyses, toxicology, and industrial processes. Because
contract research is an ever-changing environment, efficient management of
hazardous materials and waste is a unique challenge. Over the past 9 years, RTI
has undertaken waste reduction and waste segregation projects including reducing
hazardous and radioactive waste streams, eliminating use of toxic solvents, and
reducing energy usage.
P2 Application:
Toxicity Reduction in Scintillation Fluids
RTI uses approximately 500 liters of liquid scintillation counting solution each
month. Switching from a hazardous xylene/toluene solution to a biodegradable
pseudo-cumene solution has resulted in a safer workplace for employees,
comparable analytical results, and reduced costs of hazardous waste disposal and
regulatory oversight. Since installation, over 42,000 liters of toxic scintillation fluids
have not required disposal. Tritium Gas Metering Control System
A Uranium-bed vacuum line system was invented and installed to allow the use of
Tritium gas to be closely limited to the amount needed in an individual
experiment. Unused tritium is re-adsorbed onto a uranium bed, reducing the
amount going to waste. In addition to resource efficiency, this system results in
safer handling by transferring the compound from a gas to a solid waste, thereby
reducing the risks of release and safety. Over 129 curies of Tritium waste have
been prevented since the system was installed. The process is patented and
available for other laboratories to use. Stream Splitter for HPLC Solvents in Radionuclide Analyses
Traditionally, in high performance chromatographic analyses of radioactive
compounds, large quantities of radioactively contaminated solvents are produced.
RTI has invented and installed in its laboratories an automatic stream splitter so
that the low-level radioactive portion of the solvent goes into one receiving system segregated annually, reducing the amount of high-level nuclear waste generated,
with the attendant benefits. Chemical Acquisition System for "Difficult to Dispose" Waste
RTI's chemical purchasing system automatically flags "difficult to dispose" waste,
the purchaser is alerted, considers less difficult options, or receives training on
handling the "difficult to dispose" chemicals. Today less than 5 requisitions for the
targeted chemicals are processed each year.
Total Cost Savings: $75,000.00
Comments: RTI was selected as a Facility Case Study in the Large Business Category of the
1997 Governor's Award for Excellence in Waste Reduction competition.
Details of Reductions
11,095.0 - Gallons of
Xylene/toluene solution
Comments: RTI uses approximately 500 liters of liquid scintillation counting solution each
month. Switching from a hazardous xylene/toluene solution to a biodegradable
pseudo-cumene solution has resulted in a safer workplace for employees,
comparable analytical results, and reduced costs of hazardous waste disposal and
regulatory oversight. Since installation, over 42,000 liters of toxic scintillation fluids
have not required disposal.
Tritium Gas
Comments: Tritium gas to be closely limited to the amount needed in an individual
experiment. Unused tritium is re-adsorbed onto a uranium bed, reducing the
amount going to waste. In addition to resource efficiency, this system results in
safer handling by transferring the compound from a gas to a solid waste, thereby
reducing the risks of release and safety. Over 129 curies of Tritium waste have
been prevented since the system was installed. The process is patented and
available for other laboratories to use.
15.9 - Gallons of
HPLC Solvents
Comments: Stream Splitter for HPLC Solvents in Radionuclide Analyses
Traditionally, in high performance chromatographic analyses of radioactive
compounds, large quantities of radioactively contaminated solvents are produced.
RTI has invented and installed in its laboratories an automatic stream splitter so
that the low-level radioactive portion of the solvent goes into one receiving system and the high-level radioactive components into another. Over 60 liters are
segregated annually, reducing the amount of high-level nuclear waste generated,
with the attendant benefits.
264,000.0 - Pounds of
Solid Waste
Comments: Paper
products are recycled, including 89,000 pounds per year of white paper, 113,000
pounds per year of mixed paper, and 62,000 pounds per year of cardboard.
Additional Information :
RTI has implemented extensive recycling efforts throughout offices and laboratories.
Chemical labs maintain computerized lists of unused chemical inventories as
potential sources for other researchers to check before ordering more. Paper
products are recycled, including 89,000 pounds per year of white paper, 113,000
pounds per year of mixed paper, and 62,000 pounds per year of cardboard. RTI's
Hazardous Materials Committee, headed by a pollution prevention specialist, works
to maintain past successes and seek additional pollution prevention opportunities.
RTI's energy usage reductions include participation in the EPA Green Lights
program, equipment optimization, and building management systems that are now
being expanded from a few prototypes to all RTI buildings.
