University of Montana
OP-20: Hazardous Waste Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Derek
Kanwischer Industrial Materials Coordinator Office of Sustainability |
Part 1. Hazardous waste minimization and disposal
A brief description of steps taken to reduce hazardous, special (e.g. coal ash), universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:
Departments are encouraged to purchase only the amount of chemicals necessary and not stockpile or store additional chemicals. This includes both hazardous and non-regulated chemicals. Used lab chemicals that are no longer wanted but safe to use are distributed to other labs if needed through non-formal communications. Universal wastes such as used batteries, and fluorescent lamps are recycled. Reuse of chemicals is encouraged.
A brief description of how the institution safely disposes of hazardous, universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:
The University has a formal Hazardous Waste Management Plan for all hazardous, biohazardous and radioactive waste on campus. Hazardous waste is collected and containerized on-site. Solvents are bulked in 55-gallon drums and shipped off-site for incineration. Elemental neutralization of acids and bases also occurs on-site. Biohazardous waste is collected from across campus and items that cannot be autoclaved or chemically treated are shipped off-site for treatment and disposal. Radioactive waste is collected with short half-life isotopes stored in a safe secured area to decay to background levels and then properly disposed of. Dry lab materials contaminated with long-life isotopes are containerized in 55-gallon drums and sent of for permanent storage in an approved radioactive material storage facility.
A brief description of any significant hazardous material release incidents during the previous three years, including volume, impact and response/remediation:
There were no significant hazardous material release incidents during the previous three years.
A brief description of any inventory system employed by the institution to facilitate the reuse or redistribution of laboratory chemicals:
Laboratory chemical inventory is maintained within each individual lab on campus. Non-lab chemical inventory is maintained by individual departments or in our Campus Stores operation. Labs are asked to make available any chemicals that are not wanted or no longer needed to other labs on campus before proper disposal is requested.
Part 2. Electronic waste diversion
Does the institution have or participate in a program to responsibly recycle, reuse, and/or refurbish electronic waste generated by students?:
If yes to either of the above, provide:
All state purchased items that have reached the end of their useful life are packaged and sent to a regional R2 Certified e-recycler that processes the materials in accordance with stringent environmental and social guidelines to minimize the negative effects of electronics recycling. Student e-recycling collection is offered through a secure drop off location overseen by UM IT and surplus staff. Collected student items are processed in the same manner as state purchased items.
Is the institution’s electronic waste recycler certified under the e-Stewards and/or Responsible Recycling (R2) standards?:
Optional Fields
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Chuck Emnet-
Safety Program Manager, Associate Emergency Manager
Office of Risk Management
University of Montana
Missoula, MT 59812
243-4504 Office
406-370-2870 cell
Derek Kanwischer, Project & Zero Waste Coordinator
derek.kanwischer@mso.umt.edu
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.