Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 59.69
Liaison Susan Dorward
Submission Date July 31, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Raritan Valley Community College
OP-21: Hazardous Waste Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 0.75 / 1.00 Susan Dorward
Sustainability and Energy Coordinator
Facilities and Grounds
"---" 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:
These types of waste are collected in two highly-controlled locations on campus. Most hazardous and medical waste is generated by our chemistry, nursing, and hematology programs as part of the curriculum. RVCC has adopted an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) policy under which we do not use chemicals for insects, weeds, fields or landscaping unless less-toxic alternatives have been exhausted and there is a clear risk to health or facilities. This policy reduces the amount of hazardous materials on campus.

A brief description of how the institution safely disposes of hazardous, universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:
Hazardous chemicals are inventoried and placed in recorded locations on secure shelving in a locked room. The room has controlled exterior access with surveillance cameras monitored by campus security. The facility and records are inspected regularly by NJ DEP. Chemical and medical waste is disposed of by a certified third party.

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

A brief description of any inventory system employed by the institution to facilitate the reuse or redistribution of laboratory chemicals:
There is no system for this.

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?:
No

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:
Employees and students contact the Safety and Facilities Manager for pick-up of electronic waste items other than cell phones and printer cartridges, for which there are donation bins. Battery collection bins are placed around campus. RVCC recycles lighting and ballasts, batteries, hard drives, VCRs, computers, appliances and other electronics through certified third parties.

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:
6.57 Tons

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

Additional documentation to support the submission:
---

Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Data taken from EPA WasteWise report. Original data provided by IT department.

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.