| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 67.46 |
| Liaison | Brandon Raco |
| Submission Date | Sept. 2, 2020 |
University of Guelph
OP-20: Hazardous Waste Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
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 has implemented a number of strategies to ensure that these wastes are appropriately disposed and that this is done in a timely manner to minimize wastes remaining on campus. These strategies are designed to remove potential barriers to proper waste management (hazardous, special, universal, non-regulated chemical).
1. Frequent and regularly scheduled waste removal service - Approved contractors are on site on at least a weekly basis for removal of chemical and biohazardous materials.
For Biohazardous wastes – An approved contractor is on-site for weekly for pick up and removal of material from designated sites. Additionally, we have on-site autoclaves that permit sterilization/decontamination of some regularly lab- generated biological wastes. The University also has a caustic digestor for treatment of anatomical wastes.
For Chemical wastes – An approved contractor is on-site twice weekly for pickup of wastes from labs or other sites of generation for further packaging at a dedicated chemical and radioactive waste management facility (Chemical Management Centre). Once safely packaged while working to maximize the waste per transport container, the waste is removed by the contractors.
For Radioactive wastes – Waste is picked up from labs by the chemical waste contractors and transferred to the Chemical Management Centre for packaging or decay. Radioactive wastes of isotopes with short half-lives are stored for radioactive decay until they are no longer radioactive and can be disposed as such.
2. Hazardous waste costs are covered centrally by the University (with few limited exceptions) removing potential financial barriers of individual units for ensuring appropriate disposal.
3. Annual chemical waste amnesty campaigns are held encouraging users to dispose of any outdated and/or unwanted materials using streamlined procedures. This provides a focused effort to minimize unnecessary hazardous materials on campus."
A brief description of how the institution safely disposes of hazardous, universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:
" Biohazardous – contractor in place and on-site weekly for pick up and removal of material. Additionally, we have on-site autoclaves that permit sterilization/decontamination of some biohazardous wastes. We also have a caustic digestor for on-site treatment of biohazardous anatomical wastes.
Chemical/Radiation – Generators tag their waste, store safely and submit a completed waste disposal request form. These forms are used by the hazardous waste contractors to schedule their pick-ups each week. Waste is removed from labs and other sites, transferred to the Chemical Management Centre for packaging, bulking and/or temporary storage."
A brief description of any significant hazardous material release incidents during the previous three years, including volume, impact and response/remediation:
"The following incidents were reported to the City of Guelph and the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks:
19-Nov-17 Approximately 5L of Latex paint and dishwashing detergent in construction site was discharged from a waste bin during a rainstorm and entered a storm sewer. Material was contained by University personnel. Clean-up and regulator communications were through Constructor.
15-Feb-18 Rupture of diesel fuel tank from University garbage truck after impact with a landscaping rock. Estimated at 40L of diesel fuel released, most on paved surfaces. Containment and clean-up by University.
30-Jul-18 Approximately 20 L of cooking oil discharged from a waste bin and impacted a storm sewer. Containment by University. 3rd party contractor engaged for further clean-up (pump out of catch basins).
23-Sep-18 Tipped golf cart and portable toilets led to leak of battery fluid and and discharge of disinfectant/deodorizer liquid from portable toilets. Estimated at <5L battery fluid and <20L liquid from the toilets. Containment by University. 3rd party contractor engaged for further clean-up
8-Jan-19 Single car accident - hit lamp post and discharged an estimated volume of <4L of transmission fluid that impacted storm sewer. University contained. 3rd party contractor engaged for further clean-up.
16-Feb-19 Car fire and subsequent City of Guelph firefighting foam that impacted storm sewer. Volume of foam unknown. University contained. 3rd party contractor engaged for further cleanup.
3-Jun-19 An estimated volume of 3L of latex paint spilled from sub contractor vehicle that was then washed with water resulting in an impact of the storm sewer. University contained. 3rd party contractor engaged for further cleanup."
A brief description of any inventory system employed by the institution to facilitate the reuse or redistribution of laboratory chemicals:
We do not have a chemical reuse program on campus.
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:
Electronic waste disposal bins are located in departments which generated electronic waste. This waste is picked up by TechWreckers for recycling and repurposing. Our Sustainability Ambassador Program holds an e-waste drive twice / year to collect e-waste from students who live off-campus. If students live in residence, they can bring their electronic waste to the front desk of their building for recycling.
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.