| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 47.82 |
| Liaison | John Stolz |
| Submission Date | March 4, 2022 |
Duquesne University
OP-20: Hazardous Waste Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.50 / 1.00 |
Brianna
Marks Graduate Assistant Center for Environmental Research and Education |
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?:
A brief description of steps taken to reduce hazardous, special (e.g. coal ash), universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:
The Duquesne University Department of Environmental Health and Safety oversees the waste generation across campus, this can include hazardous, biological, radioactive, and universal waste streams. There are policies in place that help to reduce or minimize the wastes being generated – the Chemical Hygiene Plan, Waste Minimization Plan, etc. Other steps taken to help reduce waste production include providing training and safety inspections. EHS conducts trainings each year that pertain to waste generation and inspections occur weekly, quarterly, and annually.
A brief description of how the institution safely disposes of hazardous, universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:
The Duquesne University Department of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) uses approved vendors to properly dispose of waste following all local, state, and federal regulations. Waste disposal is tracked using manifests provided by the vendor.
Hazardous Waste – the EHS department collects all hazardous waste generated in the research and teaching labs on a weekly basis. All hazardous waste containers are labeled and stored in a central accumulation area. EHS conducts monthly lab packs, where a third party will segregate/package/ship/dispose of the chemicals. The Satellite Accumulation Areas (SAA) are inspected on a weekly basis.
Biological Waste – biological waste is generated throughout campus. This waste includes infectious wastes and animal carcasses (biology and animal care). These waste containers are stored in a central area and are shipped every other week.
Radioactive Waste – radioactive materials are only used in specific labs that are closely monitored. This waste can decay on site (isotopes with a short half-life) or they are shipped for disposal (as necessary).
Universal Waste – universal waste is accumulated on site and shipped on a quarterly basis for proper disposal. This waste can include light bulbs, oil, paint, batteries, and oil filters.
A brief description of any significant hazardous material release incidents during the previous three years, including volume, impact and response/remediation:
No significant hazardous material release incident has occurred in recent years. All laboratory workers and students are trained and equipped with spill kits. The Department of Environmental Health and Safety also has numerous spill supplies available.
A brief description of any inventory system employed by the institution to facilitate the reuse or redistribution of laboratory chemicals:
Duquesne University's Environmental Health and Safety Department requests an annual inventory from all laboratories on campus. The inventories can be used to help a lab in need of a specific chemical. The individual departments manage the reuse or redistribution of chemicals as necessary. If a faculty member is cleaning out, moving, or renovating their lab, the chemicals that are no longer useful to them will be shared throughout the department. In some situations, the chemicals would go to EHS for proper disposal (if they are expired/old). Any unclaimed/remaining chemicals would also be disposed of properly through the EHS department. Also, some departments have an annual clean-out where they can donate unwanted chemicals to the department.
Does the institution have or participate in a program to responsibly recycle, reuse, and/or refurbish electronic waste generated by the institution?:
Does the institution have or participate in a program to responsibly recycle, reuse, and/or refurbish electronic waste generated by students?:
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:
Duquesne University's Computer Store and IT Department collect most systems when they are refreshed. Those systems are then used as loaners for teaching and learning to departments and students. If there are any extras, they are then brought to the computer store to be sold in a Monthly Used computer sale. Most of the lab desktops that are collected are brought into the used computer sales.
Duquesne University also has a trade in program where students can trade in their system and put that fair market value towards the purchase of a new system. Trade-ins are either sold in Duquesne's used computer sales or used as loaners for repairs. Duquesne University offers some value for systems that are broken, as parts are often salvaged to be used in repairs where someone might not be able to afford the Apple price of the part. Anything that cannot be salvaged or is not sold is sent to an e waste recycler located in the city of Pittsburgh or sent to Goodwill. This is handled by the CTS team.
Is the institution’s electronic waste recycler certified under the e-Stewards and/or Responsible Recycling (R2) standards?:
Website URL where information about the institution’s hazardous waste program is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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.