It took 10 months but the Tulsa Public Schools recently completed efforts to safely dispose of unwanted, outdated and hazardous chemicals from laboratories across the school district.
Working with the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality and its School Chemical Disposal Program, the school district started disposing of the old chemicals in November of 2019. The district finished disposing of the last chemicals in August.
Disposal efforts occurred at eight sites across the school district. In total, DEQ spent over $100,000 to safely pack, transport and dispose of the chemicals, making Tulsa Public Schools laboratories safer places to learn.
The School Chemical Disposal Program provides a free, one-time disposal of unwanted, outdated and dangerous laboratory chemicals to schools across Oklahoma. Safe chemical disposal provides for a safer laboratory environment for Oklahoma’s students and teachers.
Those schools with a similar challenge can get help from the DEQ by contacting Katrina Pollard at (405) 702-5112 or katrina.pollard@deq.ok.gov. For more information about the School Chemical Disposal Program, visit: https://www.deq.ok.gov/land-protection-division/cleanup-redevelopment/site-cleanup-assistance/school-chemical-disposal-program/
Source: DEQ Release