Overall Rating Reporter - expired
Overall Score
Liaison Kathleen Hilimire
Submission Date March 3, 2020

STARS v2.2

Fort Lewis College
OP-20: Hazardous Waste Management

Status Score Responsible Party
-- Reporter
"---" 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:

Fort Lewis College is dedicated to reducing hazardous, universal, and non-regulated chemical wastes. In recent years, the institution has:
1) Replaced a chemistry experiment that required sodium cyanide
2) Moved towards the usage of micro-chemistry techniques
3) Tracked waste levels and provided feedback to departments about their progress
4) Transitioned from mercury to CFL bulbs
5) Initiated an aerosol collection/disposal program
6) Stopped conducting fleet oil changes and antifreeze changes on-site
7) Switched to gel packs in the Biology department in order to reduce ethidium bromide waste
8) Used neutralization product in the Biology department to reduce volume of hazardous waste from specimen preservation


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

Fort Lewis College follows standards outlined by the Colorado Division of Public Health and Environmental Standards. FLC is a Exempt Small Quantity Generator. FLC's EHS Director attends annual state training classes, maintains an EPA reporting number, and manages manifests. FLC organizes a hazardous waste cleanout once a year using licensed and state-approved vendors (including AET Environmental, Clean Harbors, and RinChem). Waste is also collected "on demand" as stakeholders require the service. Lab Directors directly contact EHS Directors via email. Chemical disclosure sheets are provided by the responsible party. Waste is transferred to 30 gallon holding containers (sorted according to waste type) and logged. Waste is stored in a free-standing Chemical Storage Shed, with a well labeled door. MSDS, hood, eye wash, fire extinguisher/suppressant, and sink that drains to sump pit are present in this shed. Waste is picked up in annually, or as needed to remain under regulated weight restrictions for Exempt Small Quantity Generators.


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:

SDS books are maintained using JJ Keller Systems. Inventories exist for science labs, art department, and physical plant. This system is updated regularly by key personnel who are trained in management of SDS data.


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 IT department manages institution generated e-waste. The department runs regular surplus sales to sell "wiped" electronics to students and community members. Approximately 80% of all e-waste is diverted via this re-use program. Additionally, the IT department pulls parts from non-functional equipment and runs a $5 box, where students and community members can purchase used components. The 20% of equipment that cannot be resold is recycled. Monitors are collected and recycled by Colorado Correctional Industries. RECLA in Bayfield, CO recycles all other electronic equipment. Fort Lewis College is paid per pound for this e-waste.

The Environmental Center runs programs to collect cell phone waste from campus stakeholders.


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