| Overall Rating | Bronze - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 43.88 |
| Liaison | Matt Wolsfeld |
| Submission Date | Jan. 30, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Saskatchewan
OP-25: Hazardous Waste Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.75 / 1.00 |
Brian
Bjorndal Director Workplace Safety and Environmental Protection |
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:
Advice and training programs offered by Safety Resources support the responsible management of hazardous materials on campus. Messaging and advice provided include:
• Maintaining up-to-date inventories of all hazardous materials in position;
• Purchasing only the quantities of materials required (no stockpiling based on price);
• Substituting less hazardous materials when practicable;
• Sharing chemicals between users;
• Adhering to prescribed practices for the disposal of hazardous materials;
• Minimizing waste generation through operational practices such as autoclaving in place of disposal, and placing waste in proper disposal streams.
Recycling for a number of materials including batteries, fluorescent bulbs and oils is provided through an external service provider.
A brief description of how the institution safely disposes of hazardous, universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:
Hazardous waste generated at the University of Saskatchewan through research, academics or other activities is collected, organized, and disposed of by Safety Resources through its Waste Management Facility in accordance with prescribed university standards and applicable regulations. Hazardous waste is ultimately disposed of by an external service provider. Hazardous waste collection and management services include for regulated and non-regulated chemical waste. these services do not include general garbage collection services which is provided by an external service provider.
A brief description of any significant hazardous material release incidents during the previous three years, including volume, impact and response/remediation:
There have been no reported significant hazardous material releases to the environment in the last three years.
A brief description of any inventory system employed by the institution to facilitate the reuse or redistribution of laboratory chemicals:
The University of Saskatchewan is currently exploring the acquisition of an institutional hazardous material inventory management system in conjunction with the Higher Education Co-operative for Hazardous Materials and Equipment Tracking (HECMET) project. This system would provide improved inventory, tracking and management of chemicals and other hazards materials on campus. The system would also potentially facilitate the reuse or exchange of unused chemicals among users. However, no program currently exists at the University of Saskatchewan.
Does the institution have or participate in a program to responsibly recycle, reuse, and/or refurbish all 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):
Electronic materials that are processed through the surplus assets program are diverted through re-use programs that could possibly extend their life cycle. This primarily focuses on computers which flow through Computers for Kids, Computers for Schools or similar programs. Any material not processed through these programs are diverted to SWEEP (Saskatchewan Waste Electronic Equipment Program) program which is operated through the Saskatchewan Association of Rehabilitation Centers (SARC).
A brief description of steps taken to ensure that e-waste is recycled responsibly, workers’ basic safety is protected, and environmental standards are met:
The SWEEP Program is managed by the Saskatchewan Electronics Recycling Association which ensures that end-of-life electronics are managed to the highest environmental standards
Electronic Products Recycling Association (EPRA) is committed to ensuring that end-of-life electronics (EOLE) collected through its program are recycled in a manner that protects the environment as well as worker health and safety.
EPRA only works with recyclers who have been audited and approved under the national Recycler Qualification Program (RQP), which is designed by the electronics industry to ensure that EOLEs are managed in a safe and environmentally sound manner.
This means that all EPRA recyclers are prohibited from exporting electronics or substances of concern to non-OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) nations, and the use of prison labour for processing equipment is not permitted. In addition, EPRA requires enhanced worker health and safety provisions and downstream accountability.
Worker safety is covered by university regulations concerning the handling of hazardous materials.
The website URL where information about the institution’s hazardous and electronic-waste recycling programs is available:
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.