| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 67.63 |
| Liaison | Konrad Schlarbaum |
| Submission Date | March 1, 2024 |
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
OP-20: Hazardous Waste Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Cynthia
Norton Chemical Management Public Safety Department - Environmental Health and Safety |
"---"
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:
UCCS is subject to regulation by the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment (CDPHE) with respect to all solid waste management issues. UCCS has developed the Hazardous Materials Management Plan (HMMP), Hazardous Waste Management Plan (HWMP), Universal Waste Management Plan (UWMP), Biological Waste Management Plan (BWMP) and Lab Safety Manual which reflects the University’s practices with regards to solid waste management.
UCCS segregates waste streams in an attempt to broaden our disposal options such as participating in fuel blending programs for non-halogenated solvents and incineration programs.
In addition, UCCS encourages labs to minimize the amount of hazardous waste being generated by reducing both the volume and toxicity of materials utilized on campus. We have some labs engaged in green chemistry. Likewise, our custodial staffs have predominantly converted to green cleaning products.
We encourage labs to reutilize, to the extent it is safe, empty reagent containers for their waste collection.
The campus does maintain an inventory of hazardous materials present on campus. If excess hazardous materials are submitted during the hazardous waste collection process, attempts are made to find alternative users for that material before it is disposed of as hazardous waste.
UCCS segregates waste streams in an attempt to broaden our disposal options such as participating in fuel blending programs for non-halogenated solvents and incineration programs.
In addition, UCCS encourages labs to minimize the amount of hazardous waste being generated by reducing both the volume and toxicity of materials utilized on campus. We have some labs engaged in green chemistry. Likewise, our custodial staffs have predominantly converted to green cleaning products.
We encourage labs to reutilize, to the extent it is safe, empty reagent containers for their waste collection.
The campus does maintain an inventory of hazardous materials present on campus. If excess hazardous materials are submitted during the hazardous waste collection process, attempts are made to find alternative users for that material before it is disposed of as hazardous waste.
A brief description of how the institution safely disposes of hazardous, universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:
Hazardous Wastes
All wastes generated on campus are evaluated to determine if they are classified as hazardous waste. Those materials which are hazardous waste are managed in accordance with CDPHE requirements including:
• Minimizing releases to the environment by proper storage and handling procedures
• Off-site disposal at EPA approved treatment, storage and disposal facilities
Non-regulated Hazardous Materials
UCCS treats non-regulated hazardous materials in a manner similar to hazardous waste. Disposal of any hazardous material into the trash is strictly controlled. UCCS works with our hazardous waste disposal contractor to manage and properly dispose of non-regulated hazardous materials.
UCCS has a robust copy and printer toner/ink recycling program. This program includes selling some used toner/inks, returning some to the manufacturer for recycling and/or sending to an offsite recycler for material recovery.
Biological Wastes
UCCS segregates its biological waste streams into those that can be treated on-site and those which require off-site treatment and disposal. Those waste streams which can be treated via autoclave are treated on-site and then managed as solid waste. Sharps and other biological waste streams which cannot be treated via autoclave are collected and disposed of off-site via a Colorado registered Biohazardous Disposal Company. Generally, these go for incineration.
Universal Wastes
There are a variety of materials which fall under the universal waste category. UCCS manages each of them as noted below. Much of this information can be found in the Office of Sustainability’s website https://sustain.uccs.edu/programs/zero-waste
Aerosol Cans
Aerosol cans which are not empty have to be treated as hazardous wastes and fall under the hazardous waste procedures previously noted. Those aerosol cans which are empty are placed in our single stream recycling program since they are metal.
Batteries
The Office of Sustainability recycles all non-alkaline battery types on campus. These batteries are recycled through various e-steward or R2 certified recyclers. Batteries are collected at recycling locations positioned throughout the campus. These recycling locations are open for both campus generated wastes as well as for students to place their self-generated batteries into the bins.
Electronics (devices, components, cell phones, etc.)
The Office of Sustainability, Office of Information Technology and Facilities materials Acquisition and Distribution (MAD) Group work together to recycle/dispose of all electronic devices and components on campus. Again, there are collection locations throughout the campus where both university generated small electronics and student generated electronics can be placed for pick-up. Larger electronics (computers, monitors, etc.) are managed through our facilities organization for ultimate electronics recycling.
Lamps/Fluorescent Bulbs, CFLs
Facilities collects and manages all fluorescent bulbs, CFL bulbs, etc. on campus. This includes green-tipped lamps. These bulbs are managed as universal wastes and sent off-site for recovery.
Used Oil
All used oil generated on the UCCS campus whether from laboratory equipment or vehicle fleet is sent for oil recycling through a contract provider. This includes the oil, fuel, transmission and other fluid filters. These filters are properly drained and disposed of.
All wastes generated on campus are evaluated to determine if they are classified as hazardous waste. Those materials which are hazardous waste are managed in accordance with CDPHE requirements including:
• Minimizing releases to the environment by proper storage and handling procedures
• Off-site disposal at EPA approved treatment, storage and disposal facilities
Non-regulated Hazardous Materials
UCCS treats non-regulated hazardous materials in a manner similar to hazardous waste. Disposal of any hazardous material into the trash is strictly controlled. UCCS works with our hazardous waste disposal contractor to manage and properly dispose of non-regulated hazardous materials.
UCCS has a robust copy and printer toner/ink recycling program. This program includes selling some used toner/inks, returning some to the manufacturer for recycling and/or sending to an offsite recycler for material recovery.
Biological Wastes
UCCS segregates its biological waste streams into those that can be treated on-site and those which require off-site treatment and disposal. Those waste streams which can be treated via autoclave are treated on-site and then managed as solid waste. Sharps and other biological waste streams which cannot be treated via autoclave are collected and disposed of off-site via a Colorado registered Biohazardous Disposal Company. Generally, these go for incineration.
Universal Wastes
There are a variety of materials which fall under the universal waste category. UCCS manages each of them as noted below. Much of this information can be found in the Office of Sustainability’s website https://sustain.uccs.edu/programs/zero-waste
Aerosol Cans
Aerosol cans which are not empty have to be treated as hazardous wastes and fall under the hazardous waste procedures previously noted. Those aerosol cans which are empty are placed in our single stream recycling program since they are metal.
Batteries
The Office of Sustainability recycles all non-alkaline battery types on campus. These batteries are recycled through various e-steward or R2 certified recyclers. Batteries are collected at recycling locations positioned throughout the campus. These recycling locations are open for both campus generated wastes as well as for students to place their self-generated batteries into the bins.
Electronics (devices, components, cell phones, etc.)
The Office of Sustainability, Office of Information Technology and Facilities materials Acquisition and Distribution (MAD) Group work together to recycle/dispose of all electronic devices and components on campus. Again, there are collection locations throughout the campus where both university generated small electronics and student generated electronics can be placed for pick-up. Larger electronics (computers, monitors, etc.) are managed through our facilities organization for ultimate electronics recycling.
Lamps/Fluorescent Bulbs, CFLs
Facilities collects and manages all fluorescent bulbs, CFL bulbs, etc. on campus. This includes green-tipped lamps. These bulbs are managed as universal wastes and sent off-site for recovery.
Used Oil
All used oil generated on the UCCS campus whether from laboratory equipment or vehicle fleet is sent for oil recycling through a contract provider. This includes the oil, fuel, transmission and other fluid filters. These filters are properly drained and disposed of.
A brief description of any significant hazardous material release incidents during the previous three years, including volume, impact and response/remediation:
Over the past 3 years, UCCS has not experienced any significant releases of hazardous materials to the environment.
A brief description of any inventory system employed by the institution to facilitate the reuse or redistribution of laboratory chemicals:
Any unused chemicals in the labs are stored and reused for future labs or classes. Individuals who use, store or handle chemicals are responsible for submitting an annual inventory to the Environmental Health and Safety Office. We are in the process of implementing a new cloud based chemical inventory system across the campus which will give us even more visibility into the chemicals being used across 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:
UCCS collects electronic waste in 18 locations on campus including residential buildings, academic buildings and auxiliary buildings and this material is delivered to an e-steward or R2 certified recycler. A map of these locations can be found on our website on our Hard to Recycle Materials map: https://sustain.uccs.edu/programs/zero-waste
Electronics Recycling Policy requires E-Steward or R2 certified recyclers.
https://communique.uccs.edu/?p=10537#:~:text=Starting%20July%201%2C%20all%20unwanted,an%20e%2DSteward%20certified%20recycler. (Please note this policy is currently under review and has become more strict in its application).
UCCS also collects and sorts batteries to be recycled through an e-steward and R2 recyclers.
Toner Cartridges are also collected for recycling.
Electronics Recycling Policy requires E-Steward or R2 certified recyclers.
https://communique.uccs.edu/?p=10537#:~:text=Starting%20July%201%2C%20all%20unwanted,an%20e%2DSteward%20certified%20recycler. (Please note this policy is currently under review and has become more strict in its application).
UCCS also collects and sorts batteries to be recycled through an e-steward and R2 recyclers.
Toner Cartridges are also collected for recycling.
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:
---
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
https://dess.uccs.edu/ehs/waste-management
https://www.uccs.edu/sustain/programs/zero-waste
https://dess.uccs.edu/ehs/hazardous-materials-management/hmmp
UCCS Universal Waste Management Plan
https://dess.uccs.edu/ehs/waste-management/universal-waste-management
https://kfl.uccs.edu/spotlight/pens-mechanical-pencils-markers-binders-recycling-now-available-library
https://oit.uccs.edu/areas/sustain
https://www.uccs.edu/sustain/programs/zero-waste
https://dess.uccs.edu/ehs/hazardous-materials-management/hmmp
UCCS Universal Waste Management Plan
https://dess.uccs.edu/ehs/waste-management/universal-waste-management
https://kfl.uccs.edu/spotlight/pens-mechanical-pencils-markers-binders-recycling-now-available-library
https://oit.uccs.edu/areas/sustain
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.