Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 52.36
Liaison Matthew Williams
Submission Date Dec. 4, 2020
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

University of Florida
OP-21: Hazardous Waste Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 1.00 Liz Storn
Program Coordinator
Office of Sustainability
"---" 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 mission of the Chemical and Radioactive Waste program through Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) is to provide campus laboratories and support services with a safe, EPA and NRC approved method for disposing of hazardous and chemical wastes. University personnel can contact EH&S if they need help in determining if their waste is hazardous and need information about safe disposal. The EH&S website offers resources for reducing hazardous waste on campus through programs such as the chemical swap program and best practices for management of waste on campus

A brief description of how the institution safely disposes of hazardous, universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:
Hazardous and chemical waste is disposed of through safe, EPA and NRC approved methods. Specific processes vary depending on the material. Environmental Health & Safety educates campus users about proper disposal methods and oversees the removal from campus and regulatory reporting.

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 (reportable) hazardous material releases during the previous three years from either the permitted waste facility or from any campus location. This is achieved largely through the multi-level containment systems built into the waste facility by design. On campus most hazardous materials are stored and utilized in a manner that precludes release (well contained in buildings and structures).

A brief description of any inventory system employed by the institution to facilitate the reuse or redistribution of laboratory chemicals:
Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) provides a service for UF faculty and lab personnel, the UF ChemSwap. The UF ChemSwap provides a list of free research chemicals currently available to laboratories on the UF main campus and at PK Yonge School. The free chemicals are delivered with an MSDS by an EH&S staff member directly to your lab. All the chemicals are in the original, unopened container. UF labs can save money and reduce waste by redistributing unwanted chemicals.

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:
All institutional electronic waste (including working items) are required to be processed through the Asset Management Surplus Warehouse. Items are picked up from departments at no cost to the department. The Surplus Warehouse inspects each item to determine if it is repairable and/or working. If so, it is 1) offered to other departments on campus at no cost, then 2) sold on approved online auction sites, then 3) donated to non-profit organizations. If equipment cannot be repaired or otherwise reused, it is sold to a certified E-Stewards recycler. Departments are encouraged to review the list of surplus equipment available on Surplus Property's website before purchasing new equipment. Additionally, a Property Swap listserv allows departments to swap working equipment directly. Finally, the Office of Sustainability in cooperation with campus and community partners hosts a "Collection Day" where individual employees and students are encouraged to bring in personal hazardous, electronic waste, university assets, IT equipment, school supplies, books, gently used clothing, and small household items to be recycled or donated for reuse.

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:
104 Tons

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
http://www.ehs.ufl.edu/programs/chemrad_waste/

Additional documentation to support the submission:
---

Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Other websites: UF Surplus - http://www.fa.ufl.edu/departments/asset-management/uf-surplus/ UF Facilities Services, Recycling - https://www.facilitiesservices.ufl.edu/departments/resource-management/recycling/recycling-guide/electronics/

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.