Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 69.87
Liaison Kevin Kirsche
Submission Date June 22, 2021

STARS v2.2

University of Georgia
OP-20: Hazardous Waste Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 1.00 Kevin Kirsche
Director of Sustainability
Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Part 1. Hazardous waste minimization and disposal

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 hazardous materials program provides services and assistance to researchers handling and producing hazardous waste. The EPA Code of Federal Regulations and Georgia state law mandate many of the activities of the hazardous materials program.

A brief description of how the institution safely disposes of hazardous, universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:
Satellite accumulation areas (research laboratories or classrooms) may accumulate up to 55 gallons of hazardous waste or one quart of acutely hazardous waste at a location under the direct supervision of a laboratory supervisor without any restrictions on accumulation time. Before the maximum amount of waste has been accumulated, use the following procedure to arrange for pick-up.

PROCEDURE:

1. Go to the http://www.esd.uga.edu/hazmat.htm and register to take the class online. Then go to Section II for the Solid and Hazardous Materials Management Manual which you can download in Adobe format and retain this manual in your lab for future reference. All necessary forms are at http://www.esd.uga.edu/hazmat/forms.htm and can be downloaded.

2. To prepare a container for storage of hazardous waste materials:
-- Select a clean container, that is compatible with the hazardous waste, with a tight fitting cap or lid.
-- Remove or deface all existing labels on the container.
-- Label the container "Hazardous Waste."
-- Attach the Chematix Waste Card to the container with a rubber band.
(On large consolidation containers, attach a glassiene sticky-backed envelope (available from HMTF) or an envelope of your own.)
Notes:
-- Keep containers closed except when adding hazardous waste.
-- Do not overfill containers. Keep at least 2 inches of empty space above the liquid.
-- Ensure that containers are in good condition (eg: free from leaks).

3. When various waste mixtures from a lab or lab suite are to be added to a single container, fill out the Hazardous Waste Collection Inventory form (see Solid and Hazardous Materials Management Manual) as additions of chemicals are made to the container. Store the form in a sticky-backed envelope also called a glassiene bag and attach to the container.
Note:
-- Add only compatible waste to the container. If in doubt use a separate container.
-- To avoid unexpected chemical reactions keep the number of chemicalscollected in a single container to a minimum.

4. Fill out a "Blue Tag" for each container indicating the material is waste. You may obtain more Blue Tags by calling 369-5706.
-- Using a ball-point pen, press firmly to complete all copies of the "Blue Tag" as indicated.
-- The principal researcher is the supervisor of the laboratory.
-- Building abbreviations are acceptable.
-- List all chemicals collected in the container as follows:
-- Use complete chemical names. Chemical formulae or abbreviations are not acceptable.
-- Identify the chemical by the CAS number or contact 369-5706 and a CAS number can be assigned to your chemical.
-- List all components whether hazardous or not (even water).
-- List percentage of each component (best estimate).
-- Total percentage must equal 100%.
-- State the quantity of material in the container giving both the numeric value and the unit of measure (example: 3 gallons, 500 ml, 1 liter etc.).
-- Place completed "Blue Tags" in the glassiene sticky-backed envelope and attach to each container.

5. To schedule Hazardous Waste Chemicals pick up:
-- Complete the Hazardous Materials Pick-up Inventory form (see Solid and Hazardous Materials Management Manual) and forward the completed Pick up Inventory form to HMTF via fax 369-5866 or by campus mail at the above address,
-- HMTF Personnel will prepare a shipping manifest.
-- The HMTF Staff will schedule with the laboratory supervisor for a suitable pick-up time.
-- Have a knowledgeable person on site at the time of pick-up to assist with the identification of containers and sign the required manifests.
-- The HMTF staff will pack individual containers into acceptable shipping containers.
Note:
-- For specific information refer to the Hazardous Materials Manual or contact HMTF.
-- Containers with incomplete labels or tags are not acceptable for pick-up.
-- CAS numbers are available from the vendor's catalog, MSDS or the Merck Index

A brief description of any significant hazardous material release incidents during the previous three years, including volume, impact and response/remediation:
We are aware of no significant hazardous materials release at any UGA facilities in the previous 3 years.

A brief description of any inventory system employed by the institution to facilitate the reuse or redistribution of laboratory chemicals:
The Environmental Health & Safety Information Systems Support team works closely with each unit in EHS to improve efficiency, streamline recordkeeping, and deploy innovative electronic solutions to help comply with local, state and federal regulatory requirements. One such solution, Chematix (pronounced ke-ma-tiks), is utilized in a variety of areas including laboratory chemical inventory management, inspection recordkeeping, and hazardous waste management. Information Systems Support provides on-site classroom training as well as personalized technical support for our clients. Our office, with its portfolio of experience, looks forward to providing expertise and guidance to the UGA research community as they navigate the systems and regulations that affect their daily work activities.

Transferring chemicals among your lab locations (does not include transferring chemicals between different P.I.s):

Login to Chematix (https://chematix.uga.edu) and click the Inventory tab
Click the Upload Container Barcodes for Processing link under the Manage Lab Inventory header
Place the cursor in the Barcodes box then scan or type-in bar codes from containers to be transferred
Click Send to Chematix (if you see a “no valid barcode” error – some or all of these containers are not assigned to your lab. Contact ESD at 542-5801 for assistance)
Click the checkbox next to each container to be transferred
Click Transfer Between My Labs
Select the destination Lab Location and Storage Unit on the next screen
Click Transfer

Part 2. Electronic waste diversion

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:
Electronic Waste generated by the University is handled by Athens-Clarke County Solid Waste Services.
ACC's vendor for e-waste, Viatek Solutions, is certified with R2, ISO14001 and OSHA 18001.

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

Optional Fields 

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:
Source for ACC e-waste programs: Joe Dunlop, Waste Reduction Administrator, Athens-Clarke County Solid Waste

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.