Janet Haff, waste minimization coordinator for U.S. EPA Region 5, presents a plaque to David Heinlen, BGSU safety and health coordinator, in recognition of the University becoming a partner in EPA’s National Waste Minimization Partnership Program.

BGSU becomes first university in U.S. EPA partnership

Once again, BGSU has been recognized for its Elemental Mercury Collection and Reclamation Program, becoming the first university partner in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s National Waste Minimization Partnership Program.

The EPA’s goal is to improve environmental results through waste minimization of persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic chemicals. Thirty of these chemicals, including mercury, are identified in the program. Where source reduction is not economically practical, these hazardous substances can be reduced through environmentally sound recycling.

That is where BGSU comes in. Elemental mercury, a potent neurotoxin that poses a significant health risk when inhaled, is present in all sorts of everyday items, from thermometers to pressure gauges. Bowling Green’s environmental health and safety department has removed more than 8,000 pounds of elemental mercury from the region since the reclamation project began in January 1998, said David Heinlen, BGSU safety and health coordinator.

The University partners with the five Ohio EPA district offices, Rader Environmental Services of Findlay and the Ohio Spill Planning, Prevention and Emergency Response Association. Together, they locate, pick up and recycle mercury found in homes, schools, hospitals and businesses. Toledo Environmental Services also assists the program by removing elemental mercury from Toledo. Overall, the program has removed sources of elemental mercury from numerous counties around the state plus eastern Indiana, southern Michigan and western Pennsylvania.

"Dave Heinlen has provided great leadership for this program, and both he and the University should be proud of the well-deserved recognition that it is receiving," said Christopher Dalton, senior vice president for finance and administration.

BGSU is in good company on the partnership list and is the only organization named under the “state and local government facilities” category. Private partners include E.I. du Pont de Nemours, Hewlett Packard, Toyota Motor Manufacturing and U.S. Steel. The federal partners include three army and navy bases.

“EPA is thrilled to have Bowling Green” as the first university among the 28 partners, said Janet Haff, waste minimization coordinator for U.S. EPA Region 5, based in Chicago. “This was a perfect opportunity for us to bring schools, chemical reduction and community partnerships together.”

The University’s mercury reclamation program was honored last July with an Award of Recognition in the Unique or Innovative Category from the Campus Safety, Health and Environmental Management Association, a division of the National Safety Council.