Overall Rating Silver
Overall Score 53.49
Liaison Julia Angstmann
Submission Date Dec. 20, 2021

STARS v2.2

Butler University
OP-20: Hazardous Waste Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 0.75 / 1.00 Craig Barnhart
Manager
Environmental Programs
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Part 1. Hazardous waste minimization and disposal

Does the institution have strategies in place to safely dispose of all hazardous, special (e.g. coal ash), universal, and non-regulated chemical waste and seek to minimize the presence of these materials on campus?:
Yes

A brief description of steps taken to reduce hazardous, special (e.g. coal ash), universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:
Butler University has procedural manuals for defining safety protocol and explaining how to minimize waste produced on campus. The University has taken steps where feasible in reducing hazardous, non-hazardous, and universal wastes. For example, on universal waste, Facilities has been in the process of replacing mercury-containing fluorescent lighting with LEDs in many areas around campus. Ultimately, this will greatly reduce the volume of mercury-containing lamps in our universal waste stream. In addition, and another positive in universal waste reduction, Chemistry has been diligent in replacing mercury thermometers with alcohol thermometers wherever possible. Finally, Chemistry does not bulk order chemicals, but rather orders just enough needed for laboratory classroom and research activities.

A brief description of how the institution safely disposes of hazardous, universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:
Butler University operates under 40 CFR 262 Subpart K in the Code of Federal Regulations for all laboratory waste disposal. For universal wastes, Butler operates under the 40 CFR 273 in the Code of Federal Regulations. Specific training is required for lab assistants that handle the hazardous waste in any campus laboratory.

A brief description of any significant hazardous material release incidents during the previous three years, including volume, impact and response/remediation:
There have been no significant hazardous material release incidents the past three years.

A brief description of any inventory system employed by the institution to facilitate the reuse or redistribution of laboratory chemicals:
Butler University does not reuse or redistribute laboratory chemicals after initial use.

Part 2. Electronic waste diversion

Does the institution have or participate in a program to responsibly recycle, reuse, and/or refurbish electronic waste generated by the institution?:
Yes

Does the institution have or participate in a program to responsibly recycle, reuse, and/or refurbish electronic waste generated by students?:
No

If yes to either of the above, provide:

A brief description of the electronic waste recycling program(s), including information about how electronic waste generated by the institution and/or students is recycled:
Butler University reuses IT internally whenever possible. If unable to use internally, quality IT products go to the Purchasing Department who sells usable IT to Christie's Auction House. Copper wire is removed and recycled.

Is the institution’s electronic waste recycler certified under the e-Stewards and/or Responsible Recycling (R2) standards?:
Yes

Optional Fields 

Website URL where information about the institution’s hazardous waste program is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.