Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 71.65
Liaison Laura Bain
Submission Date Jan. 19, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Furman University
OP-21: Hazardous Waste Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 1.00 Laura Bain
Associate Director of Sustainability Assessment
David E. Shi Center for Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Part 1 

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:
Part of the hazardous waste management program of Furman University (managed by the Risk Management department) is a waste minimization program with the goal of reducing the use and ultimate disposal of hazardous materials. This goal is achieved by both substituting for less hazardous chemicals and use of microscale techniques in the laboratory setting.

A brief description of how the institution safely disposes of hazardous, universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:
The hazardous waste management program at Furman University is managed by the Risk Management Department. The program is designed to coordinate the collection, classification, analysis, labeling, packing, and shipping of both hazardous and non-hazardous waste chemicals generated at the University. This also includes the management of universal waste such as batteries and mercury-containing lamps to include collection and disposal.

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:
The Chemistry department has a shared inventory file that lists the chemical inventories of the general stockroom and the private research labs. We always check that list before ordering (or reordering) chemicals. We also send out a notice if we are disposing of a chemical to see if anyone in the department can use it.

Part 2 

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:
Furman recycles, reuses, or refurbishes electronic waste generated by the institution. All computer-related waste generated by the institution is first examined by Computing and Information Services to determine if reuse or refurbishment is possible. If reuse or refurbishment is not possible, the material is recycled by Smart Metals Recycling. Students and employees may recycle personal e-waste, including cell phones, computers, batteries, and printer ink cartridges, at a designated drop-off location at Facilities Services.

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

Optional Fields 

Electronic waste recycled or otherwise diverted from the landfill or incinerator during the most recent year for which data is available during the previous three years:
1.81 Metric tons

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives 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.