| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 78.69 |
| Liaison | Lindsey Kalkbrenner |
| Submission Date | Feb. 14, 2023 |
Santa Clara University
OP-20: Hazardous Waste Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Sean
Collins Senior Director, Environment, Health & Safety and Sustainability University Operations |
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indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Part 1. Hazardous waste minimization and disposal
Yes
A brief description of steps taken to reduce hazardous, special (e.g. coal ash), universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:
SCU’s Environment, Health & Safety Department (EHS) provides training on waste minimization activities in our teaching, research, and facilities operations. EHS oversees universal and hazardous waste segregation and collection activities.
Students and employees are encouraged to minimize waste, including universal waste, through annual messaging from the Center for Sustainability. Universal waste recycling towers are located in every residence hall lobby and the Learning Commons to accept batteries, light bulbs, ink cartridges, cords, miscellaneous small electronics, etc. EHS oversees the collection, segregation, and recycling activities of universal waste.
Facilities personnel are trained to segregate universal waste from other forms of waste generated. EHS oversees the final segregation and collection of hazardous waste, universal/electronic waste, and medical waste.
Students and employees are encouraged to minimize waste, including universal waste, through annual messaging from the Center for Sustainability. Universal waste recycling towers are located in every residence hall lobby and the Learning Commons to accept batteries, light bulbs, ink cartridges, cords, miscellaneous small electronics, etc. EHS oversees the collection, segregation, and recycling activities of universal waste.
Facilities personnel are trained to segregate universal waste from other forms of waste generated. EHS oversees the final segregation and collection of hazardous waste, universal/electronic waste, and medical waste.
A brief description of how the institution safely disposes of hazardous, universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:
Depending on the waste stream, waste is collected by EHS or the Department Lab Manager, segregated, and stored appropriately for quarterly pickup. SCU uses a third-party hazardous waste vendor to consolidate, transport, and dispose of hazardous and non-hazardous waste streams appropriately.
SCU now diverts a significant amount of its laboratory waste to both fuel blending and waste-to-energy solutions which were previously incinerated. Fuels blending waste streams include - aerosols, non-recyclable paints, mixed organic solvents, and RCRA-regulated lab debris. They are segregated from other forms of hazardous, medical, and universal waste by our laboratory support staff and a contracted vendor that specializes in their handling.
SCU now diverts a significant amount of its laboratory waste to both fuel blending and waste-to-energy solutions which were previously incinerated. Fuels blending waste streams include - aerosols, non-recyclable paints, mixed organic solvents, and RCRA-regulated lab debris. They are segregated from other forms of hazardous, medical, and universal waste by our laboratory support staff and a contracted vendor that specializes in their handling.
A brief description of any significant hazardous material release incidents during the previous three years, including volume, impact and response/remediation:
None to report.
A brief description of any inventory system employed by the institution to facilitate the reuse or redistribution of laboratory chemicals:
SCU uses an online barcoded chemical management system called Chimera to manage over 13,000 chemical containers across campus. This system allows our research and teaching personnel to search for existing chemicals before ordering new stock. All laboratory personnel are trained at least annually on the system and annual inventory verification procedures confirm the accuracy of the online inventory.
Part 2. Electronic waste diversion
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:
Students can bring E-Waste & Universal Waste items to receptacles in their residence halls.
Faculty and Staff can submit an online E-Waste pickup request to the Facilities department. Also, Information Technology operates the PC Replacement Program that donates roughly 600 computers to local non-profit organizations each year. Recipients are incentivized to dispose properly because the disposal fees are prepaid, and they have agreed to do so as part of the donation agreement.
Faculty and Staff can submit an online E-Waste pickup request to the Facilities department. Also, Information Technology operates the PC Replacement Program that donates roughly 600 computers to local non-profit organizations each year. Recipients are incentivized to dispose properly because the disposal fees are prepaid, and they have agreed to do so as part of the donation agreement.
Is the institution’s electronic waste recycler certified under the e-Stewards and/or Responsible Recycling (R2) standards?:
Yes
Optional Fields
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Our e-waste recycler is certified to the following standards: R2, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001
Information on lab waste: https://university-operations.scu.edu/ehs/laboratory-and-shop-safety/chemical-safety/lab-waste/
Information on lab waste: https://university-operations.scu.edu/ehs/laboratory-and-shop-safety/chemical-safety/lab-waste/
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.