Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 65.42
Liaison Dayna Cook
Submission Date March 3, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Northern Arizona University
OP-21: Hazardous Waste Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 1.00 John McGregor
Director: Regulatory Compliance
Office of Regulatory Compliance
"---" 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:

The EH&S department at Northern Arizona University coordinates the oversight of all matters of Biological, Chemical, Radiation, and Environmental Compliance. The EH&S department provides leadership in working with the campus community to ensure a safe and healthful working and learning environment. EH&S endeavors to reduce hazardous waste through training, education, and chemical inventory practices. The practices of waste minimization are encouraged from the very basic training that students, staff, and faculty receive at the beginning of their time with NAU. The sharing of chemicals between laboratories and departments is encouraged to avoid the purchase of excessive amounts of chemicals resulting in an increase in waste. Unused chemicals offered for disposal are shared with other laboratories or facilities on campus in order to minimize waste.


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

Hazardous and non-regulated chemical waste that has been generated on campus is managed by EH&S in a manner compliant with EPA and other federal regulations prior to being shipped off-campus for recycling or treatment prior to disposal. Whenever possible materials are recycled or recovered, when this is not possible these materials are then treated and disposed of in a responsible and compliant manner. Universal waste is managed by the facilities department at NAU with oversight from EH&S. Following similar practices, all materials are recycled or reclaimed when possible or treated and disposed of properly if neither of the former options exists.


A brief description of any significant hazardous material release incidents during the previous three years, including volume, impact and response/remediation:

NAU has not had any significant hazardous materials releases in the five years prior to this report.


A brief description of any inventory system employed by the institution to facilitate the reuse or redistribution of laboratory chemicals:

EH&S has recently developed a new chemical inventory system for the purpose of tracking hazardous chemicals on campus. This system provides reliable accountability of chemical storage and usage for regulatory purposes. In addition, faculty and select staff are allowed (with permission) to view other inventories to allow for more efficient sharing of chemicals prior to ordering new materials. This encourages the reuse or redistribution of chemicals that would otherwise be destined for hazardous waste disposal.


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 electronic waste program at NAU comprises a couple of steps. Unwanted electronics are first sent to NAU Property Surplus. There are collection points for electronic waste materials located in the dormitories on campus. At the end of each year when the dormitories are vacated, any unwanted and unclaimed materials are turned over to NAU Property Surplus. Surplus then determines if items are sellable to the public as surplus property or not. If it is determined that the equipment cannot be sold through surplus it is sent to an E-scrap pile housed in the NAU surplus facility (all computers must be wiped before selling or scrapping). The e-scrap is then placed on a pallet, once enough pallets have been collected, an E-Scrap auction is held for individuals that are interested in buying pallets of electronic components; scrap computers, etc. by the lot. If there are no buyers for the scrap pallets, they are then sent to a recycling company.


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

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:
0 Tons

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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.