SIUC Center For Environmental Health and Safety

Have costly chemicals got your lab seeing dollar signs? Free chemicals are delivered to research and testing labs through Southern Illinois University’s chemical redistribution program. The Center for Environmental Health and Safety recycles and redistributes used chemicals, as well as unused chemicals (in their original containers) left by departing faculty. By recycling the chemicals, labs don't have to pay for new chemicals and the center doesn't have to pay to dispose of them.

Chemicals are assigned a number and entered into a computer database that labs can access to see if the chemicals they need are available. It usually takes about two days to receive a chemical once it has been ordered. Safety data sheets are provided with the chemicals.

To request free chemical delivery, visit www.cehs.siu.edu, where the list of available chemicals can be found, along with an order form. CEHS notes that this program, which was given the Governor's Pollution Prevention Award in 1998, saved the University $30,000 in disposal costs in that year alone.