Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 56.21
Liaison Jennifer McMillin
Submission Date July 28, 2020

STARS v2.2

Cleveland State University
OP-20: Hazardous Waste Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 1.00 Jennifer McMillin
Director of Sustainability
Facilities l Architect l Safety l Technology
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

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:

Laboratory managers are encouraged to practice micro experimentation and to only order quantities that will be completely consumed as part of the experimentation process.

Chemical procurement is monitored by the Office of Environmental Health and Safety. EHS maintains complete records of all hazardous waste handling, generation, storage, shipping and personnel training.


A brief description of how the institution safely disposes of hazardous, universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:

CSU operates in compliance with state and federal regulations under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). CSU is recognized as a small quantity generator designation for purposes of hazardous waste management. Hazardous waste removal and disposition from campus occurs within the (180) days allotted by regulations. Universal waste (lamps, batteries) is collected and stored for up to one year.

The following procedures are to be followed by hazardous waste generators:
1. All matters and concerns pertaining to biological, chemical, radioactive, and universal wastes are to be directed to EHS at (216) 687-9306.
2. EHS is to be notified at 216-687-9306 for the removal of hazardous waste on campus. All waste set forth for disposal must be labeled and identified as “Hazardous Waste.” Containers are to be secured and free from leakage.
3. The name of the chemical, chemical state of waste, and quantity shall be recorded on a Hazardous Waste Inventory Form prior to pick up and disposal.
https://www.csuohio.edu/sites/default/files/hazardous_waste_inventory.pdf

EHS shall be responsible for proper disposal of all hazardous and/or potentially hazardous waste on campus. Designated site coordinators, as well as faculty and staff in the Departments of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Chemistry, Biomedical and Chemical Engineering and Plant Services will work closely with EHS to ensure that the procedures set forth in this plan are followed.
EHS will inspect and evaluate all areas of the University where hazardous, biohazardous, radioactive waste, and universal waste is being generated and stored to assure compliance with federal and state regulations.
EHS will facilitate and provide training required for all University faculty and staff whose job description mandates the handling of hazardous waste.

All wastes are securely stored on campus. An inventory of all items in storage is maintained, including quantities and dates.

CSU utilizes an outside contractor to pick up hazardous waste to be taken to a Transfer, Storage, Disposal Facility (TSDF). Universal is waste is also collected by an outside contractor.


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 hazardous material release incidents within the past three years.


A brief description of any inventory system employed by the institution to facilitate the reuse or redistribution of laboratory chemicals:

All chemicals are requested via an in-house procurement form and purchased via the MagnusMart purchasing system. Chemicals are then used in a laboratory training/teaching/research environment. Once they have been used and stored they are treated as hazardous waste and disposed of according to the method outlined above.

Laboratories use chemical inventories to keep track of chemicals and to avoid unnecessary purchases. Laboratories must maintain chemical inventories in Microsoft Excel.

EHS maintains a complete inventory of all chemicals in the EHS database.

Additionally, EHS facilitates lab clean-outs to remove outdated chemicals from lab storage facilities to ensure that the inventory is accurate and up to date.

Hazardous Waste Contingency Plan
https://www.csuohio.edu/sites/default/files/haz%20waste%20policy%20%282%29.pdf


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?:
Yes

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:

The Information Services and Technology department (IS&T) and Property Control collaborate to manage electronic waste on campus.

IS&T purchases computer equipment centrally. When a department no longer needs a computer, it is transferred by the Moving Department to Property Control. Property Control removes the hard drives and shreds them on site. Computers with a remaining useful life are refurbished by IS&T and sold at a significantly discounted rate to campus departments with a two year service agreement.

Electronic equipment with no remaining useful life is bundled and sent for recycling by a company certified under Responsible Recycling (R2) standards.

Student Government Association e-waste collection drive
In 2019, the Sustainability Office, Property Control and Logistics partnered to assist SGA Senators to run a collection drive for electronic waste. This drive was the first time students had been offered an opportunity to bring in electronics from home for recycling. Collection bins were located in the Julka Hall lobby and Student Center atrium.


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

Website URL where information about the institution’s hazardous waste program is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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