The University of Oregon supports the goals of reducing the use of toxic and hazardous materials and minimizing the generation of hazardous waste.  As part of this support, Environmental Health and Safety provides academic and research laboratories a Chemical Voucher Program.

The Chemical Voucher Program offers users of hazardous materials or equipment containing hazardous materials a method of replacing toxic substances with less toxic substances

An example of the types of hazardous materials that the Chemical Voucher Program covers are: tetrahydrofuran, ethyl ether, di-nitro and tri-nitro compounds.  These substances can become hazardous through the formation of peroxides or by being shock sensitive. An example of equipment containing hazardous materials is mercury containing thermometers.

Once a substance or a piece of equipment is identified, EHS will take in the substance or equipment and provide the generator with a voucher for purchase of a less hazardous material.  For example, a mercury containing thermometer would gain credit for purchase of an alcohol thermometer or to cover part of the cost of a digital thermometer.

The Chemical Voucher Program can be utilized by contacting Environmental Health and Safety.

Contact:
Craig Biersdorff, Environmental Technologist
Telephone:  (541) 346-2348
craigb@uoregon.edu