| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 65.09 |
| Liaison | Shane Stennes |
| Submission Date | Jan. 11, 2023 |
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
OP-20: Hazardous Waste Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Carley
Rice Sustainability Coordinator Facilities Management |
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 of Minnesota generates approximately 500,000 pounds of chemical waste on an annual basis from its multiple campuses and research stations located throughout the state. The University has a dedicated program and staff to pick up, transport, process, and dispose of this chemical waste in a safe and environmentally responsible manner. All chemical waste that is managed by the University is transported to the University's Fay Thompson Center for Environmental Management (FTCEM), which is a permitted hazardous waste storage and processing facility located on the Twin Cities Campus. Additionally, all University staff that generate hazardous waste are required to receive hazardous waste training. All areas (i.e., laboratories, shops) that generate hazardous waste are routinely inspected for compliance.
The University takes great effort to recycle as much hazardous waste as possible. For example, over the last 3 years 202 tons (26%) of waste managed at the FTCEM was recycled. The University has multiple policies and programs in place that promote waste minimiation, examples include: Board of Regents Sustainability and Energy Efficieny Policy, and the Environmental Protection Policy.
A brief description of how the institution safely disposes of hazardous, universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:
The University of Minnesota generates approximately 500,000 pounds of chemical waste on an annual basis from its multiple campuses and research stations located throughout the state. The University has a dedicated program and staff to pick up, transport, process, and dispose of this chemical waste in a safe and environmentally responsible manner. All chemical waste that is managed by the University is transported to FTCEM, which is a permitted hazardous waste storage and processing facility located on the Twin Cities Campus. Waste is packaged into containers or tanks and shipped offsite to licensed hazardous waste disposal contractors. The vast majority of chemical waste managed at FTCEM is sent to contactors that have been approved by the Minnesota State Contract for Hazardous Waste. Environmental stewardship is always an important factor when selecting disposal options at FTCEM. For example, over the last 3 years 202 tons (26%) of waste managed at FTCEM was recycled and 302 tons (39%) of waste managed at FTCEM was sent for energy recovery as supplemental fuel.
A brief description of any significant hazardous material release incidents during the previous three years, including volume, impact and response/remediation:
The University has had 104 recorded chemical spills/incidents in the last 3 years. None of these resulted in a significant release or negatively impacted the enviroment.
A brief description of any inventory system employed by the institution to facilitate the reuse or redistribution of laboratory chemicals:
The University does not have an inventory system for managing the reuse or redistribution of laboratory chemicals. The University maintained a system like this for many years and found it to be unsuccessful. While these programs sound good on the surface, the reality is that most researchers do not want outdated or previously opened/potentially contaminated chemicals. However, departments are encouraged to share excess chemicals, particularly in the event of a lab cleanout (i.e., a professor retires).
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:
All electronic waste (e-waste) generated at the University of Minnesota must be collected for recycle. E-waste can include items such as:
-Computers
-Computer monitors and televisions
-Keyboards, mice, speakers, etc.
-Printers, scanners, copy and fax machines
-Laboratory equipment
-Any equipment containing a circuit board
The University of Minnesota Office Of Information Technology (OIT) has procedures in place to dispose of e-waste, which can be found on OIT's Computer Device Recycling and Donation page.
The UMN ReUse Program facilitates pick ups of e waste. Departments can email the ReUse program to set up a pick up.
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.