| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 47.61 |
| Liaison | Karen Marin-Hines |
| Submission Date | March 3, 2023 |
Texas Tech University
OP-20: Hazardous Waste Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.50 / 1.00 |
Jessica
Bunyard Analyst BIMAR |
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:
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 though 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:
In 2022, a new process was established by EHS to facilitate the reuse of overstock, off-specification, or older chemicals located in campus laboratories and are redistributed to customers for reuse. The program is called Raiders Reuse it.
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 recycling of electronic waste (e-waste) on TTU campus is new and limited, however, 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 95,434 lbs. of recyclable materials was
collected by EHS and sent for recycling. Approximately 53,771 lbs. of e-waste was collected and sent for recycling in 2022.
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.