| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 71.19 |
| Liaison | Margaret Bounds |
| Submission Date | March 1, 2024 |
Connecticut College
OP-20: Hazardous Waste Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Margaret
Bounds Director of Sustainability Office of Sustainability |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Part 1. Hazardous waste minimization and disposal
Yes
A brief description of steps taken to reduce hazardous, special (e.g. coal ash), universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:
The College's Waste Minimization Program includes:
Maintaining an inventory of all laboratory chemicals to facilitate usage across departments.
Ordering only the quantity of the material needed, even if a larger amount is cheaper.
Substituting a non-hazardous or a less hazardous material whenever possible.
Using a less toxic cleaning agent if one is available.
Avoiding the mixing hazardous and non-hazardous waste streams.
Disposing of materials as soon as one determines that they are no longer needed. Do not hold a material so long that the container begins to degrade and the material is of no use.
Properly labeling bottles.
Encouraging departments to consider the use of “Micro” or “Mini Scale” laboratory chemistry when planning experiments.
https://www.conncoll.edu/offices/environmental-health-and-safety/policies-and-procedures/environmental-compliance/hazardous-waste-minimization/
Maintaining an inventory of all laboratory chemicals to facilitate usage across departments.
Ordering only the quantity of the material needed, even if a larger amount is cheaper.
Substituting a non-hazardous or a less hazardous material whenever possible.
Using a less toxic cleaning agent if one is available.
Avoiding the mixing hazardous and non-hazardous waste streams.
Disposing of materials as soon as one determines that they are no longer needed. Do not hold a material so long that the container begins to degrade and the material is of no use.
Properly labeling bottles.
Encouraging departments to consider the use of “Micro” or “Mini Scale” laboratory chemistry when planning experiments.
https://www.conncoll.edu/offices/environmental-health-and-safety/policies-and-procedures/environmental-compliance/hazardous-waste-minimization/
A brief description of how the institution safely disposes of hazardous, universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:
Connecticut College is a Small Quantity Generator (SQG). At the College, the generator of any hazardous waste is responsible for providing information that will allow the Director of Environmental Health and Safety to properly characterize and manifest the waste for disposal. The Director of Environmental Health and Safety is the only person authorized to schedule shipments of hazardous waste and to sign manifests and/or bills of lading.
The College has five hazardous waste storage facilities. These storage facilities are inspected weekly by the Director of Environmental Health and Safety. In addition to assessing storage and container compliance, the Director uses this weekly inspection to ensure that accumulation limits are not exceeded.
Wastes are shipped off-site using a licensed hazardous waste transporter. All hazardous waste is taken to licensed facilities which treat, recycle, incinerate, or otherwise dispose of the materials using EPA approved methods for the particular waste type. Waste is shipped at least every 180 days, or more frequently to comply with storage limits.
https://www.conncoll.edu/offices/environmental-health-and-safety/policies-and-procedures/environmental-compliance/hazardous-waste-management-plan/
The College has five hazardous waste storage facilities. These storage facilities are inspected weekly by the Director of Environmental Health and Safety. In addition to assessing storage and container compliance, the Director uses this weekly inspection to ensure that accumulation limits are not exceeded.
Wastes are shipped off-site using a licensed hazardous waste transporter. All hazardous waste is taken to licensed facilities which treat, recycle, incinerate, or otherwise dispose of the materials using EPA approved methods for the particular waste type. Waste is shipped at least every 180 days, or more frequently to comply with storage limits.
https://www.conncoll.edu/offices/environmental-health-and-safety/policies-and-procedures/environmental-compliance/hazardous-waste-management-plan/
A brief description of any significant hazardous material release incidents during the previous three years, including volume, impact and response/remediation:
The College has not had any significant hazardous material release in the past three years.
A brief description of any inventory system employed by the institution to facilitate the reuse or redistribution of laboratory chemicals:
Connecticut College has an online chemical inventory system that allows all users to see what chemicals are currently on campus.
Faculty are encouraged to check the inventory before ordering new chemicals. If the material is available elsewhere, either in their department or not, they are asked to contact the owner to see if an informal arrangement can be made in regards to sharing.
Faculty are encouraged to check the inventory before ordering new chemicals. If the material is available elsewhere, either in their department or not, they are asked to contact the owner to see if an informal arrangement can be made in regards to sharing.
Part 2. Electronic waste diversion
Yes
Does the institution have or participate in a program to responsibly recycle, reuse, and/or refurbish electronic waste generated by students?:
Yes
If yes to either of the above, provide:
The College's Director of Environmental Health and Safety oversees the program that ensures that all "college owned" electronic waste is recycled/disposed on in the most environmentally and social responsible way possible.
Student electronic waste is collected in four drop-off locations across campus. Students can dispose of electronics, batteries, ink and toner, and compact fluorescent lightbulbs at these drop off locations. Items collected are delivered to the Director of Environmental Health and Safety for recycling.
Student electronic waste is collected in four drop-off locations across campus. Students can dispose of electronics, batteries, ink and toner, and compact fluorescent lightbulbs at these drop off locations. Items collected are delivered to the Director of Environmental Health and Safety for recycling.
Is the institution’s electronic waste recycler certified under the e-Stewards and/or Responsible Recycling (R2) standards?:
Yes
Optional Fields
Additional documentation to support the submission:
---
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Information was provided by the Director of Environmental Health and Safety.
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.