Environmental Health & Safety
The Office of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) is committed to maintaining a healthful, safe and secure environment for all members of the campus community. The Office of EHS oversees the development and University-wide implementation of integrated risk management, loss prevention, safety and regulatory compliance programs. Assessments of the potential for loss to the University and the appropriate financial management of such risks are critical components of this office.
EHS ensures compliance with all federal, state and local regulations and standards involving environmental management, chemical control, industrial hygiene, general campus safety and fire safety as well as overseeing the procurement and management of university property, casualty and liability insurance, claims against the University and participates in the review of litigation.
MSU Recycling & Special Waste
All academic, office and residential buildings have compartment recycling containers located in common areas that are regularly serviced by MSU Facilities Maintenance (FM) staff and contractors. Items are collected in bins and removed to a nearby recycling dumpster outside the building. Recycling dumpsters are emptied by FM staff on a weekly basis or as needed. Recycled materials are transported to the Morehead Community Recycling Center (MCRC), located in Morehead, Kentucky. MSU supports the local Morehead Community Recycling Center through an inter-local agreement with Rowan County and the City of Morehead, providing financial support, board members and all of MSU's recyclables collected on campus.
The following items may be deposited for recycling inside the campus recycling containers:
- Cardboard
- Mixed office paper (please bag shredded paper separately)
- Magazines & mixed advertising materials
- Newspapers
- Plastics marked #1 and #2
- Aluminum cans
- Steel cans
MSU can no longer accept plastic shopping bags or glass. Those items should be reused or sent to the landfill. Items deposited in the bins should be emptied of packaging material such as plastic wrap, bags and Styrofoam. Food and liquid waste should be removed before they are added to the recycling bins. There are no composting areas on campus, and composting is not available through MCRC. All food and compost waste should be directed to the landfill.
For large volumes of paper or other materials that need to be recycled or shredded, please contact EHS to arrange pickup rather than adding them to the building recycle bins.
The MSU Office of Information Technology (OIT) recycles MSU-procured electronic waste (e-waste). Any personal electronic waste, such as mobile phones, laptops, televisions, monitors, etc., must be taken by the individual to the local recycling center or contact the store where it was purchased for proper disposal information.
In accordance with Morehead State University's Hazardous Waste Permit, all faculty, staff and contracted workers must follow the EPA Standards for Universal Waste Management. (CFR Title 40 Chapter 1 Subchapter I Part 273) This mandatory requirement includes special collection, handling and disposal or recycling requirements for all batteries, mercury-containing equipment, lamps and aerosol cans. These items may NOT be placed in the regular waste disposal cans or dumpsters.
Large spent lead-acid batteries used in campus vehicles, golf carts, fire alarm equipment and backup power sources should be turned in to the MSU Warehouse in Facilities Management for proper recycling. They may be dropped off at the warehouse during regular business hours.
The Office of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) will accept small campus rechargeable batteries, cellphones, and other high-energy batteries, such as lithium, for recycling. These batteries can also be taken to the local Lowe's or Walmart for recycling.
The Office of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) accepts mercury-containing equipment for disposal through its hazardous waste disposal program. This includes mercury-containing thermometers, blood pressure cuffs and spent light ballasts. Any broken or leaking mercury-containing equipment must be reported immediately to EHS so that it can be handled as a hazardous waste emergency, with proper cleanup procedures in place to prevent contamination.
Spent lamps, including fluorescent, high intensity discharge, neon, mercury vapor, high pressure sodium, and metal halide lamps, are collected for proper disposal by Facilities Management. Facilities will collect spent campus lamps and take them to the Third Street General Service Building Universal Waste and Biohazard Storage Area. EHS manages the required annual disposal pickup by an outside contractor. Any broken bulbs require special handling and must be reported to EHS.
Waste aerosol cans require proper disposal and should not be placed in the regular garbage collection. Please call Facilities Management or EHS to arrange for aerosol can pick-up, or drop them off at Facilities during regular business hours.
NOTE: EHS manages all other types of hazardous waste. Please contact us for specific instructions on disposal.
Additional Contact
- Facilities Management (FM): 606-783-2066 or submit a work order via schooldude
- Environmental Health & Safety (EHS): 606-783-2179 or submit a workorder via schooldude
- Information Technology (OIT): 606-783-4357 or visit the IT Service Desk in the MyMSU portal
Contact EHS
Environmental Health & Safety
113 Combs Building
Morehead, KY 40351
EMAIL: h.niehoff@moreheadstate.edu
PHONE: 606-783-2179
FAX: 606-783-2359
