School district budget cuts have made it nearly impossible for science teachers to properly store and dispose of hazardous chemicals used in chemistry labs. As a result, toxins and potential explosives were stacking up in classrooms throughout King County. Mounting media attention of horrific accidents in schools across the U.S. compelled the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County (LHWMP) to find a solution. They contracted with PRR to create "Rehab the Lab".

PRR conducted three phases of research to determine the best approach for this campaign: literature reviews of waste reduction programs in the United States; executive interviews of school district safety coordinators, fire department officials, and hazardous waste regulators; and focus groups with science teachers to identify concerns. With substantive findings stemming from our research, our team set three objectives: remove and properly dispose of unnecessary hazardous chemicals from school labs; reduce the hazardous waste generated in classroom experiments; and avoid media attention. The client did not want school districts criticized for mismanagement of hazardous waste, especially since the root of the problem was a voter-driven funding shortfall. PRR worked with hazardous waste managers and science teachers to develop a plan benefiting both parties. However, clean-up alone wasnt enough. Teachers needed to learn how reduce the use of hazardous products. Respected King County chemistry teachers revised the most popular labs taught in 10th and 11th grade chemistry to include improved techniques and incorporate less toxic chemicals, a curriculum that was piloted before implementation. We also developed a teachers workshop to help them implement the new curriculum and learn proper management of hazardous chemicals. As an incentive, the workshops were accredited by the state, providing continuing education credits at no cost.

Since the programs implementation, more than 27 tons of hazardous chemicals have been removed from 279 King County schools. 204 teachers received training on hazardous waste reduction and lab safety, and a less toxic, alternative lab curriculum was adopted in 140 schools. Although it was tempting to shout our success from the rooftops, we successfully avoided all media attention. The Rehab the Lab program has influenced the creation of similar programs in eight states, and won the prestigious 2001 Governors Award for Pollution Prevention and Stewardship. In addition, Rehab the Lab staff developed a high-risk chemical list for schools, which has been adopted by the Washington State Department of Health for use as criteria for determining safe purchasing and storage practices throughout the state.