Overall Rating Silver
Overall Score 45.10
Liaison Bo Solomon
Submission Date March 3, 2023

STARS v2.2

Drexel University
OP-20: Hazardous Waste Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 1.00 Bo Solomon
University Sustainability Officer
Procurement
"---" 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:
Drexel University's Department of Environmental Health and Radiation Safety (EHS) handles all regulated waste including hazardous waste, infectious waste, radioactive waste and universal waste. In an effort to minimize the amount of hazardous waste generated EHS has implemented an system whereby EHS picks up unwanted chemicals upon request. At the time of pick up EHS will determine whether or not the products can be redistributed for use in other etching or research laboratories or if it can be poured off and commingled in bulk for fuels blending. Bulk fuels blending reduces the amount of packaging required and hence the overall weight and volume of materials to be disposed and fuels blending ensures that these materials are used as a secondary fuel source rather than disposed by traditional means. EHS also has in place system for the recover and recycling of food oils and works with Facilities Management to ensure that Universal wastes are recovered and recycled to the extent possible.

A brief description of how the institution safely disposes of hazardous, universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:
Drexel University's Department of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) handles all regulated waste including hazardous waste, infectious waste and universal waste. In an effort to minimize the amount of hazardous waste generated EHS has implemented an system whereby EHS picks up unwanted chemicals upon request. At the time of pick up EHS will determine whether or not the products can be redistributed for use in other etching or research laboratories or if it can be poured off and commingled in bulk for fuels blending. Bulk fuels blending reduces the amount of packaging required and hence the overall weight and volume of materials to be disposed and fuels blending ensures that these materials are used as a secondary fuel source rather than disposed by traditional means. EHS also has in place system for the recover and recycling of food oils and works with Facilities Management to ensure that Universal wastes are recovered and recycled to the extent possible.

A brief description of any significant hazardous material release incidents during the previous three years, including volume, impact and response/remediation:
None

A brief description of any inventory system employed by the institution to facilitate the reuse or redistribution of laboratory chemicals:
EHRS requires all laboratories to maintain an accurate inventory of all chemicals in the laboratory. These inventories are reviewed by EHRS to identify common chemicals that can be redistributed to other labs when a lab decides to request disposal of the chemical.

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?:
Yes

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:
University Facilities will recycle e-waste generated by the institution. Personnel place work orders to have items picked up for recycling. Regular e-waste recycling collection events are held during campus cleanup periods and the Recyclemania competition.

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.