| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 61.37 |
| Liaison | Suzanne Davis |
| Submission Date | Oct. 26, 2020 |
University of Queensland
OP-20: Hazardous Waste Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.75 / 1.00 |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Part 1. Hazardous waste minimization and disposal
Yes
A brief description of steps taken to reduce hazardous, special (e.g. coal ash), universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:
The chemical, clinical cytotoxic and radioactive waste procedures provide information on the generation, collection, storage and disposal of these waste to ensure: · that the collection, storage and disposal is conducted in an environmentally sound manner; · compliance with environmental and workplace health and safety legislative requirements in relation to the disposal of wastes; and · that risks to health, safety and the environment are minimised.
A brief description of how the institution safely disposes of hazardous, universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:
The UQ Science Store facilitates the collection of all chemical waste from a number of locations operated by the University of Queensland.
Clinical and Related Waste must be collected in yellow bins and receptacles lined with yellow liners. All bins, bags and liners must be marked with the Australian Dangerous Goods symbol specifying “Infectious Substances” (ADG Classification – 6.2). All bins used to store Clinical and Related waste must be placed in such a manner as to reduce the risk of spill and/or contamination. Clinical waste bins are serviced by our waste contractor where it iis taken to an Incineration Facility.
Cytotoxic Drugs and Related wastes must be placed in purple sharps containers and/or purple liners and waste bins with the white telophase cytotoxic symbol. When bins are placed in public areas they must be locked at all times. Cytotoxic Drugs and Related Waste shall be collected and transported only by a person or company with a licence for handling regulated wastes (cytotoxics). A copy of the licence cover sheet must be supplied by the contractor to the University before any waste is removed from site. Radioactive wastes above the presribed levels of disposal must be held by the school or centre of generation until the radioactive content has decayed to the prescribed levels.
UQ is a member of fluorocycle and recycles wet & dry batteries as well as e-Wastes.
https://staff.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/facilities-services-maps/maintenance-facilities/recycling-waste
Clinical and Related Waste must be collected in yellow bins and receptacles lined with yellow liners. All bins, bags and liners must be marked with the Australian Dangerous Goods symbol specifying “Infectious Substances” (ADG Classification – 6.2). All bins used to store Clinical and Related waste must be placed in such a manner as to reduce the risk of spill and/or contamination. Clinical waste bins are serviced by our waste contractor where it iis taken to an Incineration Facility.
Cytotoxic Drugs and Related wastes must be placed in purple sharps containers and/or purple liners and waste bins with the white telophase cytotoxic symbol. When bins are placed in public areas they must be locked at all times. Cytotoxic Drugs and Related Waste shall be collected and transported only by a person or company with a licence for handling regulated wastes (cytotoxics). A copy of the licence cover sheet must be supplied by the contractor to the University before any waste is removed from site. Radioactive wastes above the presribed levels of disposal must be held by the school or centre of generation until the radioactive content has decayed to the prescribed levels.
UQ is a member of fluorocycle and recycles wet & dry batteries as well as e-Wastes.
https://staff.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/facilities-services-maps/maintenance-facilities/recycling-waste
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:
Laboratory chemical substances are very tightly monitored as controlled substances.
Chemicals are actively registered and tracked.
UQ uses licensed chemical recycling and disposal companies to legally re-use, recycle and re-distribute laboratory chemicals.
Chemicals are actively registered and tracked.
UQ uses licensed chemical recycling and disposal companies to legally re-use, recycle and re-distribute laboratory chemicals.
Part 2. Electronic waste diversion
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:
Electronic waste
Office equipment (computers, monitors, photocopiers, etc.) and uncontaminated laboratory equipment is collected and recycled. This equipment is sent to companies who recycle the raw material.
E-waste poster & facts for recycling is online"
https://sustainability.uq.edu.au/files/1125/ps_ewaste.pdf
Office equipment (computers, monitors, photocopiers, etc.) and uncontaminated laboratory equipment is collected and recycled. This equipment is sent to companies who recycle the raw material.
E-waste poster & facts for recycling is online"
https://sustainability.uq.edu.au/files/1125/ps_ewaste.pdf
Is the institution’s electronic waste recycler certified under the e-Stewards and/or Responsible Recycling (R2) standards?:
Yes
Optional Fields
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Hazardous waste management is governed by UQ's Environmental Management System. Please see the policies and procedures online and refer to the Waste Management tab for all the requirements for managing hazardous waste
https://sustainability.uq.edu.au/policies-and-procedures
https://sustainability.uq.edu.au/policies-and-procedures
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.