Overall Rating Platinum - expired
Overall Score 86.01
Liaison Patrick McKee
Submission Date March 6, 2020
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

University of Connecticut
OP-21: Hazardous Waste Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 1.00 Richard Miller
Director
Ofice of Environmental Policy
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Part 1 

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?:
Yes

A brief description of steps taken to reduce hazardous, special (e.g. coal ash), universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:
The University abides by its annually reviewed Chemical Hygiene Plan (last revised 4/4/19), which encourages the reduction of hazardous, special, universal, and non-regulated chemical waste through careful procedure and procurement policies. See the link below for more information about UConn’s hazardous waste policies: http://www.ehs.uconn.edu/Chemical/chemplan.pdf Additionally, UConn's EH&S department oversees UConn's compliance with the Resource Conservation & Recovery Act, which pertains to the recordkeeping, reporting, and temporary storage, inspection and shipment off-site for disposal of all types of solid wastes, including hazardous, universal, special and CT-regulated wastes. RCRA also requires UConn to develop, maintain and implement a waste minimization plan for these waste streams. https://ehs.uconn.edu/regulated-waste-management/

A brief description of how the institution safely disposes of hazardous, universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:
UConn has multiple policies and procedures in place that ensure hazardous, universal, and non-regulated chemical waste is disposed of safely. These procedures are outlined in various manuals and guides, like the “Chemical Waste Disposal Manual,” provided on the “Environmental Health & Safety Regulated Waste Management” webpage (see link below). The page also provides Principal and Licensed Investigators, Laboratory Supervisors, Non-laboratory Staff and students access to the forms and information they need to conduct the safe handling of the wastes generated in their area, including but not limited to: hazardous wastes, surplus chemicals, bio-waste, regulated medical wastes, universal waste (fluorescent light bulbs, electronics, batteries, etc.). https://ehs.uconn.edu/regulated-waste-management/ The complete Chemical Waste Disposal Manual included in the Chemical Hygiene Plan can be found at the following link: http://www.ehs.uconn.edu/Chemical/ChemWasteDisp.pdf

A brief description of any significant hazardous material release incidents during the previous three years, including volume, impact and response/remediation:
N/A

A brief description of any inventory system employed by the institution to facilitate the reuse or redistribution of laboratory chemicals:
UConn has a “Chemical Redistribution and Exchange” policy in place to reduce the need for purchasing unnecessary chemicals. The policy reads: “Contact EHS if you plan to dispose of unused, unopened containers of chemicals, especially high purity and commonly used materials. EHS can contact other departments and groups on campus to determine if they have an immediate use for these chemicals. The reuse and redistribution of unused unopened chemicals will reduce the University’s cost of disposal as well as the cost of purchasing new products” (page 13 of the Chemical Waste Disposal Manual). http://ehs.uconn.edu/Chemical/ChemWasteDisp.pdf

Part 2 

Does the institution have or participate in a program to responsibly recycle, reuse, and/or refurbish electronic waste generated by the institution?:
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:

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:
Our e-waste program runs through the UConn Surplus Department and collects rechargeable batteries, ink cartridges, cell phones, laptops, hand held devices, computers, monitors, television sets, and office equipment. Central Warehouse collects e-waste from departments and offices on campus. In addition to departmental waste, UConn also encourages students and community members to recycle their personal e-waste by providing conveniently located drop-off stations for cellphones, batteries, and inkjet cartridges. These can be found at the UConn Bookstore, Library, and Student Union. https://ecohusky.uconn.edu/e-waste-and-ink-cartridge-recycling/

Is the institution’s electronic waste recycler certified under the e-Stewards and/or Responsible Recycling (R2) standards?:
Yes

Optional Fields 

Electronic waste recycled or otherwise diverted from the landfill or incinerator during the most recent year for which data is available during the previous three years:
76.38 Tons

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
https://ecohusky.uconn.edu/e-waste-and-ink-cartridge-recycling/

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.