Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 69.08
Liaison Andrew Horning
Submission Date June 25, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

University of Michigan
OP-21: Hazardous Waste Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 1.00 Kenneth Keeler
Senior Sustainability Rep
Office of Campus Sustainability
"---" 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:

U-M participates in a number of programs designed to reduce hazardous, special, universal, and non-regulated chemical waste. One example is the chemical re-use program where departments can donate unopened chemicals for use by other departments. Mercury reduction efforts including exchanging mercury containing thermometers and manometers with mercury-free or electronic alternatives eliminates hazardous waste generation and reduces potential environmental impact.


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

The U-M EHS Hazardous Materials Management (HMM) program is responsible for the collection and proper disposal of chemical, radioactive, and biological waste generated during teaching, research, and clinical operations at the Ann Arbor campus. The HMM Program supports the University community by providing professional services and oversight.

Technical Support / Training
HMM provides technical support and training to the University community on proper labeling, packaging, and manifesting of biological, chemical, and radioactive waste in compliance with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Department of Transportation, Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and Michigan Act 451 regulations. Strict compliance with these regulations ensures the waste is managed, transported, and disposed of properly while reducing potential liability to the University. HMM provides Emergency Response/ Incident Command Training to units within the University.


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

N/A


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

The Office of Campus Sustainability facilitates a chemical redistribution program. Unopened chemicals and used laboratory equipment are listed online and made available to other labs.


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

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:

The Hazardous Materials Management (HMM) program works with Property Disposition to ensure that consumer electronics that are not designated for resale are properly recycled.


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

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:
149 Tons

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives 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.