Resources, Conservation and Recycling 35 (2002) 163–175 Total recycling of chromatographic solvents — applied management of methanol and acetonitrile waste P. Stepnowski a,b, *, K.-H. Blotevogel a , P. Ganczarek b , U. Fischer a , B. Jastorff a a Centre for Enironmental Research and Technology UFT, Uniersity of Bremen, D-28359, Leobener Strasse, Bremen, Germany b Faculty of Chemistry, Uniersity of Gdan ´sk, ul. Sobieskiego 18, PL 80 -952 Gdan ´sk, Poland Received 31 August 2001; accepted 8 October 2001 Abstract In this paper, we present our results obtained during implementation of a recycling methodology for chromatographic solvent waste in the University of Bremen, Germany. The procedures are combined out of three principal areas of activity where the first covers logistics of waste collection, the second – proper recycling techniques and the third biodegra- dation of postprocessing residues. The overall procedures where developed for recovery of methanol and acetonitrile, the main solvents used extensively in reverse phase high perfor- mance liquid chromatography. Successful management of a total recycling system was transferred towards the University of Gdan ´ sk in Poland, which is a very active academic institution in the field of the waste management of chemicals. © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. Keywords: Solvent recovery; Methanol; Acetonitrile; Recycling; Biodegradation www.elsevier.com/locate/resconrec 1. Introduction Management of hazardous chemical waste including organic solvents in the European Community is regulated, introduced and standardised including selective * Corresponding author. Tel.: +48-58-345-0307; fax: +48-58-341-0357. E-mail address: sox@chemik.chem.univ.gda.pl (P. Stepnowski). 0921-3449/02/$ - see front matter © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. PII:S0921-3449(01)00119-7