| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 79.39 |
| Liaison | Yolanda Cieters |
| Submission Date | March 5, 2021 |
Seattle University
OP-20: Hazardous Waste Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
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?:
A brief description of steps taken to reduce hazardous, special (e.g. coal ash), universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:
--Seattle University is regulated as a Medium Quantity Generator (MQG) in Washington State. We strive to adhere to the requirements of the Dangerous Waste regulations WAC 173-303 and the Pollution Prevention Plans regulation WAC 173-307. This status requires us to report our waste management activities through two reporting processes: 1) Dangerous Waste Annual Report by March 1 and 2) Pollution Prevention Plan by September 1. Our personnel maintain an aggressive and comprehensive waste management program as a way to provide necessary support services to the members of the campus community. The Chemical Hygiene Officer, Safety Policy Specialist, Recycling Coordinator and Resource Conservation Manager interact with the campus community to encourage use of best practices, provide educational outreach opportunities and manage vendor services (Waste Management Healthcare Solutions, Clean Earth Environmental Services, and 3R Technology).
1) Dangerous Waste Annual Report-Tracks facility’s generation and management of dangerous waste to keep people and the environment safe.
2) Pollution Prevention Plan-Tracks details of toxic chemical use, then considers ways to reduce that use and the waste it generates.
--Members of the campus community may request a Waste Assessment (see template attached) consult which includes evaluation for alternative management strategies as well as a Risk Evaluation using a risk mitigation tool. These are program enhancement tools designed to engage and educate the campus community to consider alternative strategies and reduce impacts and risk. The Waste Flow Diagram (see attached) is designed in poster form to be posted in any teaching, research or workplace environment to further encourage proper segregation and fulfill our contractual obligations to our vendor partners.
--SU continues to be member of CSHEMA (Campus Safety, Health and Environmental Management Association); this is a membership organization for enhancing health & Safety and Regulatory compliance within the higher education sector. SU is committed to building, and maintaining environmental affairs programs using the Small College and Universities Complete Environmental Health & Safety Program guidelines, http://www.cshema.org/.
--SU continues to add additional standardized procedures to the Policy Stat management system. Members of the campus community can access to 348 policies and procedures across nine business areas.
A brief description of how the institution safely disposes of hazardous, universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:
--Chemical waste is managed through Clean Earth Environmental Solutions.
--Biological waste is managed through Waste Management Healthcare Services.
--Universal waste is managed through a variety of recycling outlets in partnership with Clean Earth Environmental Solutions.
A brief description of any significant hazardous material release incidents during the previous three years, including volume, impact and response/remediation:
In 2020, SU managed an abandoned underground heating oil storage tank project. This environmental affairs project involved a limited site assessment, tank location/removal and remedial/restoration activities. The project actions were managed consistent with the requirements of the Models Toxics Control Act (RCW 70.105D) and its implementing regulations (WAC 173-340). In total, approximately 342 tons of petroleum contaminated soil was removed from the area of concern. These soils were utilized by Waste Management for daily cover at the Columbia Ridge Commercial Landfill.
A brief description of any inventory system employed by the institution to facilitate the reuse or redistribution of laboratory chemicals:
--Seattle University partnered once again with BioRAFT to provide access to a centralized chemical inventory and reporting tool (ChemTracker). This is an additional way for the institution and hazardous materials users to manage complex chemical inventories, target opportunities for source reduction and product substitution, and enhance our safety consciousness. http://www.bioraft.com.
Does the institution have or participate in a program to responsibly recycle, reuse, and/or refurbish electronic waste generated by the institution?:
Does the institution have or participate in a program to responsibly recycle, reuse, and/or refurbish electronic waste generated by students?:
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 Facilities Services Department oversees the electronics recycling program for Seattle University. This effort is supported by guidance provided by King County and Washington State Department of Ecology.
--Seattle University uses 3R Technology for its campus-wide electronic waste recycling and reuse needs. They are R2 Certified, a member of WSRA, and an E-Cycle program member.
Is the institution’s electronic waste recycler certified under the e-Stewards and/or Responsible Recycling (R2) standards?:
Website URL where information about the institution’s hazardous waste program is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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.