| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 58.21 |
| Liaison | Olivia Wiebe |
| Submission Date | Feb. 27, 2019 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Idaho
OP-21: Hazardous Waste Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.75 / 1.00 |
Thomas R.
Hicks Hazardous Materials Specialist Environmental Health & Safety |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Part 1
Yes
A brief description of steps taken to reduce hazardous, special (e.g. coal ash), universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:
The University takes multiple steps to reduce waste:
--Surplus chemicals from laboratories are reused
--Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) staff discuss waste minimization during training sessions and with individual generators
--Less hazardous materials are substituted for more hazardous materials. For example, “Alconox” laboratory glassware cleaner is used in place of more hazardous options like a chromic acid/sulfuric acid mixture
--PCB ballasts and high mercury lamps have been replaced with LED light fixtures
A brief description of how the institution safely disposes of hazardous, universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:
--All generators of hazardous waste must attend a training class that provides program information.
--Hazardous waste is centrally managed by the EHS Office. EHS packages waste for shipment at least every 90 days to a permitted Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facility (TSDF).
--EHS personnel collect universal waste lamps and batteries every 6 months or more frequently if needed. Lamps are shipped for recycling through Ecolights Northwest, LLC. Batteries are managed through Interstate Battery. Universal waste pesticides are collected by EHS, in May of each year, for disposal through the Idaho Department of Agriculture’s Pesticide Disposal Program.
--Non-regulated materials are included for proper off-campus disposal through permitted Environmental Protection Agency TSDFs.
--Sewer disposal is tightly controlled and prohibited prior to EHS approval.
--Campus-wide audits and inspections are conducted to assess compliance.
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 releases to the environment that required notification to regulatory authorities. One incident, in September 2014, involved a release of approximately 5 gallons of hydraulic oil from a damaged pump on an exterior trash compactor. Some of the oil collected in a storm drain catch basin adjacent to the compactor. The EHS Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Team (HMERT) absorbed the spilled oil with absorbent pads before any was discharged to Paradise Creek. Oil spills in excess of 25 gallons or that create a visible sheen on the surface of a water body must be reported to the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality. The HMERT responds to an average of 10 incidents per year, most of which occur inside university facilities.
A brief description of any inventory system employed by the institution to facilitate the reuse or redistribution of laboratory chemicals:
Surplus chemicals are submitted via the online EHS Chemical Waste Collection Request system then collected by EHS. Periodically, a listing of surplus chemicals is circulated to select departments. Interested parties contact EHS to request availability of materials. In addition, some of the surplus chemicals are delivered to the campus Chemistry Stores which uses an in-house inventory system to share chemicals with UI researchers.
Part 2
Yes
Does the institution have or participate in a program to responsibly recycle, reuse, and/or refurbish electronic waste generated by students?:
No
If yes to either of the above, provide:
State tax dollars can only be used to recycle state property; however, private property, such as student electronics can be recycled at the Moscow Recycling Center.
Is the institution’s electronic waste recycler certified under the e-Stewards and/or Responsible Recycling (R2) standards?:
Yes
Optional Fields
79.56
Tons
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Part 2 of this credit was submitted by Charles Zillinger, Director of Facilities—Landscape & Exterior Services.
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.