Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 65.41
Liaison Ian Johnson
Submission Date April 19, 2024

STARS v2.2

Colorado College
OP-20: Hazardous Waste Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 0.50 / 1.00 Luke Scott
Environmental Health and Safety Coordinator
Facilities Services
"---" 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:
Disposal and steps taken to reduce hazardous waste are handled through Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS). A substantial analysis and subsequent streamlining of chemical inventories has led to a substantial reduction. Conversion of florescent to LED has decreased the stream associated with bulbs.

A brief description of how the institution safely disposes of hazardous, universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:
All waste streams are analyzed for content, profiled, and disposed of in mannerisms conducive to their chemical makeup. Disposal of chemicals, batteries, and fluorescent tubs is handled through certified disposal channels. The vendor we use for disposal is notified at regular intervals (<180 days) to keep waste inventory levels low. Bi-weekly inspection of accumulation points ensures levels and inventories are minimized.

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 incidents within the previous three years.

A brief description of any inventory system employed by the institution to facilitate the reuse or redistribution of laboratory chemicals:
Rehoming is always a consideration and, unless it is an expired chemical. An inventory control system is in place for the Chemistry department to manage their inventory. This system is used to disseminate chemicals as needed to the different groups needing them.

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:
E-waste is generated by the institution and students is recycled through the same program led by the Office of Sustainability (OOS) in partnership with ITS. There are several components to the E-Waste Program: https://www.coloradocollege.edu/offices/sustainability/connect-and-engage/e-waste.html

The CC community has access to three drop-off bins located across campus (Worner Campus Center, Tutt Library, Office of Sustainability) for smaller electronics, batteries, toner, and printer ink cartridges. The OOS routinely collects items dropped off at these bins and moves them to our larger collection site.

The CC community is also able to recycle their e-waste through e-waste drop-off events hosted by the OOs 4x during the academic year. The community can drop off larger items or larger amounts of e-waste directly at our larger collection site.

Staff and faculty also can request e-waste recycling support through an online form. This form is for those who have a significant volume of e-waste that the office/dept. needs assistance in moving or needs to arrange a pickup request.

Once the larger collection site is full, the OOS will work with E-Tech Recyclers for the e-waste to be picked up and properly recycled. Pickups with E-Tech will happen multiple times throughout the year.

Information regarding e-waste is on the OOS webpage (above) and is shared multiple times throughout the year through various communication channels including but not limited to: newsletters, Today@CC, and social media.

Is the institution’s electronic waste recycler certified under the e-Stewards and/or Responsible Recycling (R2) standards?:
No

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:
As of 2/1/2024 E-Tech Recyclers is not certified under R2 standards but does recycle in compliance with R2 standards.

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.