Overall Rating Bronze - expired
Overall Score 36.72
Liaison Lindsey Abernathy
Submission Date July 17, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

University of Mississippi
OP-21: Hazardous Waste Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 0.75 / 1.00 Lindsey Abernathy
Associate Director
Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Part 1 

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:
The University has a Hazardous Waste Minimization policy. The policy aims to minimize the production of hazardous and nonhazardous wastes and prevent the production of air and water pollutants. The policy also allows the university to comply with all safety and environmental regulations. https://safety.olemiss.edu/waste-minimization-policy/

A brief description of how the institution safely disposes of hazardous, universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:
Chemicals must be disposed of only through the Department of Health and Safety (DHS). This will normally be done at no cost to the generator if the generator adheres to established procedures. Only the Health and Safety Officer or the Chemical Safety Coordinator are authorized to pick up waste chemicals. Disposal of specific chemical waste is listed in 5.8 of the Chemical Safety Manual. https://safety.olemiss.edu/safety-programs/chemical-safety/chemical-safety-manual/#T1

A brief description of any significant hazardous material release incidents during the previous three years, including volume, impact and response/remediation:
No significant, or reportable, hazardous materials releases have occurred on the Oxford campus of the University of Mississippi since the establishment of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976. Our most common Hazardous Materials incidents include single room laboratory spills of less than a quart of materials, small laboratory fires, and hydraulic fluid (non hazardous) leaks from equipment, trucks and forklifts.

A brief description of any inventory system employed by the institution to facilitate the reuse or redistribution of laboratory chemicals:
Excess, unwanted, or unneeded chemicals in good condition need not be disposed of, if they can be reused. The University Department of Health and Safety has set up a retained-chemical storage area where unwanted or partially used containers of chemicals can be stored, provided they are properly labeled with the chemical name and the identity of the material can be reasonably assured. A list of available chemicals is published periodically by the Department of Health and Safety.Section 5.8 Part B in the Chemical Saftey Manual states Any person or unit wishing to dispose of a chemical must first investigate the possibility of recovery, exchange, or returning the material to stock.

Part 2 

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

If yes to either of the above, provide:

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:
Procurement collects all university-owned electronics. Magnolia Data Solutions in Jackson, MS, picks up electronics every two to three months. The Office of Sustainability is currently arranging Magnolia Data Solutions to also collect ink cartridge and toner in addition to general e-waste in the future. http://magnoliadatasolutions.com/

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

Optional Fields 

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:
18.50 Tons

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
https://news.olemiss.edu/proper-disposal-for-that-old-computer/

Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.