Total volume of toxic waste produced last year(tons)

     In 2023, toxic waste generated at National Chiayi University primarily originated from various departmental laboratories, including discarded hazardous and concerned chemical substances, waste liquids, contaminated glassware, and sterilized experimental needles treated by autoclave. All toxic waste was collected, recorded, and stored temporarily in designated hazardous waste storage rooms on each campus under strict environmental and safety regulations.  The Environmental Protection and Safety Management Center supervised the entire waste-handling process, including labeling, temporary storage, inventory registration, and transfer to certified contractors licensed by the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) for final disposal. All transportation and treatment processes were fully traceable to ensure legal compliance and environmental safety.  In 2023, the total volume of toxic waste produced across all campuses was 5.952 tons, as shown in the accompanying figure. The increase observed in 2024 (7.284 tons) was mainly attributed to a wave of faculty retirements, during which several laboratories were cleared, and expired or unused chemicals accumulated over the years were properly disposed of. This one-time cleanout activity temporarily increased the total amount of toxic waste recorded, rather than indicating higher levels of hazardous material use.

     The university continues to improve laboratory management through chemical substitution, inventory control, and micro-scale experimental design to minimize toxic waste generation at the source. These efforts support SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) by ensuring the safe and responsible management of hazardous substances, while continuously reducing potential environmental and health risks.