| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 67.27 |
| Liaison | Veronica Johnson |
| Submission Date | Jan. 14, 2022 |
Southwestern University
OP-20: Hazardous Waste Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Michael
DeLance Director of Campus Safety & Risk Management Safety Office |
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:
Starts with a hazardous waste determination process for all waste products produced or generated by all affected departments across campus.
A brief description of how the institution safely disposes of hazardous, universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:
Hazardous waste, Universal wastes are collected and stored in labeled and closed containers within a designated hazardous waste collection area with spill prevention control measures in place. Southwestern contracts with a licensed hazardous waste vendor to produce hazardous waste profiles, hazardous waste manifests and land disposal restriction forms and all appropriate labels for DOT transportation. Waste is transported to various facilities for processing, incineration, or recycling depending on waste profiles. Strict recordkeeping is maintained. Laboratory safety and hazardous waste audits are conducted by the Safety & Risk Management Office and electronic reports with corrective actions are submitted to affected departments for action and follow-up. Department Heads are copied to help ensure corrective actions and cultural behavior changes are made.
A brief description of any significant hazardous material release incidents during the previous three years, including volume, impact and response/remediation:
Southwestern has not had any significant hazardous waste spills during the past three years.
A brief description of any inventory system employed by the institution to facilitate the reuse or redistribution of laboratory chemicals:
Southwestern has purchased and maintained a comprehensive chemical inventory management system: CHIMERA which is administered by a third party but managed by Southwestern departments and designated employees throughout campus. This helps redistribute chemicals across campus departments and reduces unnecessary duplicate ordering and stocking of chemicals. It includes components of OSHA's hazard communication program and maintains all Safety Data Sheets for immediate access in event of exposure or for information and awareness for employees who may need to handle chemicals. The system also produces site-specific labeling and chemical hazard signs which are posted on the exterior of rooms with chemicals.
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:
After Southwestern University is done with an electronic device, the IT department recycles the item through IT Recycling Group, a central Texas-based electronic recycling firm specializing in EOL, ITAD, and Asset Recovery of equipment in the education sector.
Students are encouraged to send empty inkjet cartridges and used cell phones in a pre-paid envelope to the Petsmart Charities recycling program, where 100% of proceeds goes to Petsmart Charities.
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.