Overall Rating Bronze
Overall Score 29.24
Liaison Laurel Pikcunas
Submission Date March 3, 2022

STARS v2.2

University of Hawaii Windward Community College
OP-20: Hazardous Waste Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 0.50 / 1.00 Christian Palmer
Assistant Professor
Anthropology
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

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:

Recommendations are in place through the WCC Green Procurement Policy (see next reporting field).


A brief description of how the institution safely disposes of hazardous, universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:

The following requirements apply to all generators of hazardous waste. Waste generators must:
a. Become familiar with the hazardous materials in their area and with this WCC policy on hazardous material and hazardous waste management.
b. Provide an annual inventory of all hazardous materials used (Attachment 3), and monthly inventory of hazardous wastes (Attachment 4).
c. Comply with waste requirements. Store and label waste properly.
d. Contact the Environmental Health and Safety Office at the UH Manoa campus (808-956-8660), if in doubt about requirements or how to properly to dispose of waste.

Waste Accumulation
Limits on Waste Generation
To retain the favorable status of being a conditionally exempt small quantity generator, and to prevent WCC from becoming subject to more stringent regulations, WCC may not generate more than 100 kilograms (approximately one half of a 55- gallon drum, 27 gallons or 220 pounds) of hazardous waste or 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of acute hazardous waste in one month. Acute hazardous waste is identified on the attached “P” List (40 CFR 261.33e).

Limits on Waste Accumulation
To retain the favorable status of being a conditionally exempt small quantity generator, and to prevent WCC from becoming subject to more stringent regulations, WCC may not have more than 1000 kilograms (approximately five 55-gallon drums, or 275 gallons, or 2200 pounds) of total accumulated hazardous waste and no more than 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of accumulated acute hazardous waste at any time.
WCC programs generating hazardous waste should establish a safe area near the point of generation for the temporary storage of that waste before disposal by a licensed contractor. The VCAS will annually, or more frequently if necessary, hire a licensed hazardous waste contractor to transport the waste to a permitted hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal facility.
All hazardous waste containers must be labeled with the words “Hazardous Waste,” an accurate description of the contents of the container and marked with the accumulation start date.
All hazardous waste containers must remain closed except when waste is being added to them.

Waste Containers
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Containers used for wastes must be in good condition (i.e. no rusting, cracks or structural defects). If a container is broken or begins to leak, the material must be transferred to a container in good condition. The material composition must be compatible with the material to be stored and incompatible materials must not be stored in proximity to one another. Package materials in sturdy cardboard boxes or plastic waste containers. Cushion the material in the containers to prevent breakage. If cardboard boxes are used which originally held other chemicals, the name of the chemical must be covered over or defaced. Failure to do so constitutes improper marking as to contents and is an EPA regulation violation.
a. Separate Incompatible Materials.
Incompatible materials shall be segregated in separate boxes for quantity greater than 1/4 lb/100 grams for solids and 4 ounces/100 ml for liquids. Examples of incompatible materials are: acids/bases, organics/oxidizers, and flammable liquids/oxidizers. Unknowns and high hazard materials such as cyanides, organic peroxides, pyrophorics, water reactives and explosives shall be packaged separately regardless of quantity.

5. Labeling and Containment
Waste material shall be labeled with the word "waste" and the chemical name(s) (e.g., "waste methyl alcohol" or "waste ethidium bromide"). Generic names can be used if a separate list is maintained to indicate the chemical names and the approximate amounts (e.g., "waste chlorinated solvent bottle no 1" with a separate list "Bottle no. 1 Chloroform 50%, Methyl Chloroform 40%, Methylene Chloride 10%). The manufacturers label or a label giving the chemical name and specific hazards (e.g., flammable, corrosive or poison) is acceptable. Containments are not required for containers of liquid waste that is less than 55 gallons. However, a plan for handling spills must be in place. Consult with the Environmental Health and Safety Office at the UH Manoa campus (808-956-8660a) regarding appropriate containment when a 55 gallon drum is used to collect waste.

6. Drain Disposal Prohibited
No hazardous materials may be disposed of down the drain. This specifically includes but it not limited to:
Pollutants that create a fire or explosive hazard.
Any liquids having a pH less than 6.0 or more than 9.0, or otherwise causing corrosive structural damage. Any wastewater containing in excess of the following limits:
0.078 mg/l arsenic 1.23 mg/l cadmium
2.8 mg/l chromium
3.4 mg/l copper
1.2 mg/l cyanide
0.68 mg/l lead
0.095 mg/l mercury 0.95 mg/l molybdenum 3.84 mg/l nickel
3.03 mg/l selenium 1.0 mg/l silver
2.6 mg/l zinc

6. Emergency Plans for Spills
You must have a specific spill emergency plan and provide information and training to individuals working in your area regarding the plan. It is a good idea to post the emergency procedures and emergency phone numbers in the work area. Personnel working with hazardous chemicals should be able to answer the question: "What would I do if this material spilled?"
Spill kits with instructions, absorbents, reactants, and protective equipment should be available to clean up minor spills. A minor spill is one that does not spread rapidly, does not endanger people or property except by direct contact, does not endanger the environment, and the workers in the area are capable of handling safely without the assistance of safety and emergency personnel. All other chemical spills are considered major. The following are general procedures for the handling of spills.
a. Attend to anyone who may have been contaminated or hurt, if it can be done without endangering yourself.
b. Turn on the fume hood(s) and open windows where this can be done without endangering yourself. If flammable materials are spilled, de-energize electrical devices if it can be done without endangering yourself.
c. If the spill is major contact the Environmental Health and Safety Office at the UH Manoa Campus (808-956-8660), the Honolulu Fire Department (911), and the VCAS at 235-7405. If the spill is minor clean up can be performed as follows:
(i.) Ensure protective apparel is resistant to the spilled material. Neutralize acids and bases, if possible using neutralizing agents such as sodium carbonate or sodium bisulfate.
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(ii.) Control the spread of liquids by containing the spill.
(iii.) Absorb liquids by adding appropriate absorbent materials, such as vermiculite or sand, from the spill's outer edges toward the center. Paper towels and sponges may also be used as absorbent material, but this should be done cautiously considering the character of the spilled material. If you have any questions regarding spill clean up requirements, please contact the Environmental Health and Safety Office at the UH Manoa campus (808-956-8660).
(iv.) Collect and contain the cleanup residue and any materials used to clean up the spill by scooping them into a plastic bucket or other appropriate container and properly disposing of the waste as hazardous waste.
(v.) Decontaminate the area and affected equipment. Ventilating the spill area may be necessary.
(vi.) Document what happened, why, what was done, and what was learned. Such documentation can be used to avoid similar instances in the future. Major incidents are almost always preceded by numerous near misses.


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

None.


A brief description of any inventory system employed by the institution to facilitate the reuse or redistribution of laboratory chemicals:

MANAGEMENT OF HAZARDOUS MATERIAL
Compliance with the following requirements will assist the Vice Chancellor for Administrative Services (VCAS) in ensuring the proper management of certain types of hazardous chemicals. The following personnel are designated as responsible for the implementation of this program in their areas:
Chemistry Lab - Chemistry Instructor
Biology Lab - Biology Instructor
Art Lab - Art Instructor
Photography Lab - Photography Instructor
Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Shop - O & M Supervisor Agriculture Building - Agriculture Instructor
Ceramics - Ceramics Instructor
WCC, Coordinator - Vice Chancellor for Administrative Services
All above personnel are required to attend the annual hazardous waste generator training.
Approval to Purchase Hazardous Chemicals
VCAS approval is required for the purchase or requisition of all hazardous chemicals. The Procurement Authorization for Hazardous Material Form, Attachment 1, must be completed and submitted to VCAS for approval prior to initiating a purchase order for any hazardous materials. If approved, a copy of the form will be provided to you for attachment to your purchase order or requisition. The purpose of VCAS approval is to enable us to assist you in ensuring the safe storage, handling and eventual disposal of the material while minimizing cost to WCC.
Approval to Use Hazardous Materials
As part of the grant approval process (ORS Form 5, item 4 under PI certification) a specific form for the use of certain hazardous materials has been developed. See Attachment 2. This form is similar to those already in place for the use of radioactive and biohazard materials.
Inventory Control
a. Inventory of Hazardous Chemicals
WCC programs that store hazardous materials are required to submit annual inventories to the VCAS. The annual hazardous material inventory form, Attachment 3, will help us deal with certain types of hazardous materials already on hand, monitor on-going usage, and to prevent unnecessary accumulation of hazardous materials. As part of the inventory procedure, WCC programs are required to inspect the condition of all hazardous material containers to ensure that hazardous materials are stored in containers which are in good condition and which are properly labeled.
b. Inventory of Hazardous Wastes
WCC programs that generate hazardous wastes are required to submit monthly inventories to the VCAS. Waste inventories shall be submitted to the VCAS on or before the first Friday of every month. The hazardous waste inventory form, Attachment 4, will help us monitor campus-wide hazardous waste accumulation. As part of the inventory procedure, WCC programs are required to inspect the condition of all hazardous material containers to ensure that hazardous materials are stored in containers which are in good condition and which are properly labeled.

Audit Program
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VCAS has established an audit program to assist in maintaining laboratories and facilities which are safe and protective of the environment. VCAS and/or the Environmental Health and Safety Office will conduct periodic random audits of laboratories and facilities to review the implementation of applicable safety, health and environmental policies and requirements. The following issues will be reviewed: hazardous material storage, hazardous and acutely hazardous waste accumulation, Material Safety Data Sheet availability, hazardous waste accumulation areas, and emergency plans. A report indicating any corrective actions that are necessary and suggesting any improvements will be provided by the VCAS.


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?:
No

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:

WCC's Media Specialist, David Fry collects campus e-waste and takes them to community events planned by the the a Honolulu volunteer organization called Going Green Hawaii. WCC does not have official policy in place to properly dispose of E-waste, just separation procedures.


Is the institution’s electronic waste recycler certified under the e-Stewards and/or Responsible Recycling (R2) standards?:
No

Website URL where information about the institution’s hazardous waste program is available:
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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.