Case Study: EHS University achieves over 50% reduction in per‑pound disposal costs and the highest sustainability star rating with Veolia North America

Veolia Services 450 Labs at Major University

EHS University, a state university in the western U.S. with over 450 active hazardous-waste lab sites (about 90% research-generated) and outreach locations across 92% of the state’s counties, needed comprehensive hazardous waste management for solvents, halogenated and non‑halogenated hydrocarbons, energetic materials and DEA‑controlled substances. In 2003 the university contracted Veolia North America for hazardous waste disposal, lab‑packing, recycling, emergency response and chemical safety/security services.

Veolia North America integrated with the university’s web‑based tracking system to schedule pickups every 60 days, generate unique labels/EHS IDs/barcodes, and containerize solvents into 55‑gallon drums for fuel‑blending, while optimizing packaging and disposal methods. As a result, the university cut its average per‑pound disposal cost by more than 50% and earned the highest sustainability star rating among 129 universities nationwide, with university staff praising Veolia North America’s safe, environmentally friendly service.

EHS University