| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 69.70 |
| Liaison | Kelly Wellman |
| Submission Date | Dec. 2, 2021 |
Texas A&M University
OP-20: Hazardous Waste Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Jeff
Truss Environmental Safety Supervisor EHSD |
"---"
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:
As a part of the Texas A&M Pollution Prevention Program, a campaign using posters and articles in the Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Newsletter is aimed at encouraging labs and shops to use inventory control to reduce amount and hazard of aging chemicals and to make better informed chemical purchases.
Through several relamping and control modification projects, Texas A&M has improved lighting efficiency. This is done in a few ways. In some areas fluorescent lamps have been replaced with LED. New fluorescent lamps and fixtures are low mercury. And in the current project, motion sensors are being used in certain areas to make sure lighting is not being used when it is not necessary.
Through several relamping and control modification projects, Texas A&M has improved lighting efficiency. This is done in a few ways. In some areas fluorescent lamps have been replaced with LED. New fluorescent lamps and fixtures are low mercury. And in the current project, motion sensors are being used in certain areas to make sure lighting is not being used when it is not necessary.
A brief description of how the institution safely disposes of hazardous, universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:
All chemical waste is brought to a Central Accumulation Area. From this point it is processed according to hazards and regulatory requirements. Lighting waste is sent to a facility where the lamps are broken and the individual components are then sent to recycling and resort facilities. Batteries are sent to recycling facilities. Hazardous waste is managed with the assistance of a contractor with a TSDF. All TSDF facilities are audited by both Texas A&M and their waste contractor for proper handling and regulatory compliance. Non-regulated chemical waste can be handled in a number of ways depending on the waste. It can go to a WWTP, TSDF, or other facilities designed to appropriately treat the material.
A brief description of any significant hazardous material release incidents during the previous three years, including volume, impact and response/remediation:
There have been no significant release of hazardous materials during the last three years.
A brief description of any inventory system employed by the institution to facilitate the reuse or redistribution of laboratory chemicals:
Inventory systems are employed by departments. The Chemistry Department has an inventory system and encourages the removal of usable chemicals from closed labs by other laboratories. EHS has an online system for tracking the chemicals for disposal from each department from the time it enters the system until the time it is shipped out for disposal.
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:
E-Waste is disposed following Texas A&M University written procedures. All E-Waste generated by the institution is disposed of through the University Surplus Property Program. The Surplus Program first establishes possible recycling of these materials through re-use at the university or system and then through local ISD's or assistance organizations that are approved by the state of Texas. For this to be possible the materials must be in good working condition and still have useful life. If determined due to age or usefulness of the materials that the materials are to be disposed then Surplus Property will send remaining units to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for refurbishment or recycling. In all cases documentation is filed with Texas A&M Property Management in order to provide accurate disposition of all recycled/disposed materials. Currently under state law there are no other means for a University to dispose of e-waste.
The Environmental Issues Committee and TAMU IT partner for an e-waste collection event every October that targets students. Residence Life has created permanent stations on campus that collect e-waste generated by students.
The Environmental Issues Committee and TAMU IT partner for an e-waste collection event every October that targets students. Residence Life has created permanent stations on campus that collect e-waste generated by students.
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:
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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.