| Overall Rating | Bronze |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 43.72 |
| Liaison | Karen Marin-Hines |
| Submission Date | March 1, 2022 |
Texas Tech University
OP-20: Hazardous Waste Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Jessica
Bunyard Analyst BIMAR |
"---"
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:
The University strives to achieve its goals to reduce waste generation it has set through its Source Reduction and Waste Minimization (SRWM) plan that it updates every five years and reports its progress annually to the TCEQ. The University currently has a goal in place to reduce hazardous waste generation by 5% over the next five years. This is achieved by education of its customers (mostly laboratories) in the proper use of hazardous materials and proper handling and disposal practices for hazardous waste. It has also streamlined its receipt of chemicals and other hazardous materials through a central receiving facility called the Gateway. The material is cataloged, tracked, and barcoded to prevent excessive amounts of chemicals from being over-ordered and accumulated on campus. The ultimate goal of this process is to reduce the amount of laboratory chemicals that need to be wasted because of non-use or expiration.
A brief description of how the institution safely disposes of hazardous, universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:
The University partners with a permitted Treatment, Storage, and Disposal facility (TSDF) for the safe, legal, and final disposition of all of its hazardous waste streams. Hazardous waste is prohibited from being placed in a landfill per federal law so the waste must be disposed at one of these federally permitted facilities. The waste is safely stored on-campus for less than 90 days before being packaged and transported by a registered hazardous waste transporter to the permitted TSDF for either incineration or fuels blending. The waste is manifested from the University to the TSDF for accountability and compliance with State and Federal regulations.
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 releases of hazardous waste to the atmosphere, ground, or waters of the State in the last three years.
A brief description of any inventory system employed by the institution to facilitate the reuse or redistribution of laboratory chemicals:
Currently, the University’s inventory of chemicals and hazardous materials do not accommodate the reuse of laboratory chemicals. However, a new process is being established by EHS for CY 2022 to facilitate the reuse of overstock, off-specification, or older chemicals located on campus.
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:
The recycling of electronic waste (e-waste) on TTU campus is new and limited but new procedures and means have been established by EHS to capture, collect and recycle the following e-waste streams: batteries; light ballasts; and computers. A total of 131,183 lbs. of recyclable materials was collected by EHS and sent for recycling. Approximately 17,226 lbs. of e-waste was collected and sent for recycling in 2020.
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.