Schools Chemical Cleanout Program
From elementary school maintenance closets to high school chemistry labs, schools use a variety of chemicals. When they are mismanaged, these chemicals can put students and school personnel at risk from spills, fires and other accidental exposure. Chemical accidents disrupt school schedules and can cost thousands of dollars to repair.
The Schools Chemical Cleanout Campaign (SC3) aims to ensure that all schools are free from hazards associated with mismanaged chemicals. SC3 gives K through 12 schools information and tools to responsibly manage chemicals.
SC3 Efforts
Communities and school districts across the country are recognizing the risk that improperly stored, hazardous and outdated chemicals pose to students and are creating programs to help schools responsibly manage their chemicals. SC3 builds on these efforts by developing tools that others can use to conduct chemical cleanouts and implement prevention practices. SC3 aims to protect children by giving schools tools to:
- Remove inappropriate, outdated, unknown, and unnecessary chemicals from K through 12 schools
- Raise awareness of chemical issues in schools and promote sustainable solutions
- Prevent future chemical mismanagement through training, curriculum change and long-term management solutions
Who Can Help?
Everyone from school administrators to chemical suppliers can help. Many successful chemical management programs involve a variety of partners that can include state, tribal and local environmental and health agencies, school district personnel, industry, waste handlers and universities.
How is the Federal Government Involved?
The U.S. EPA is building a network with others who care about this issue to raise national awareness of the potential chemical dangers in K through 12 schools, facilitate chemical cleanouts and prevent future problems. These partners include other federal agencies, state agencies, teachers’ associations, school administrator organizations, chemical suppliers and industry leaders.
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