University of Texas at Austin
OP-20: Hazardous Waste Management
Status | Score | Responsible Party |
---|---|---|
1.00 / 1.00 |
John
Salsman Director Environmental Health & Safety |
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:
UT Austin has a robust and well-established Hazardous Waste Management program with an emphasis on waste minimization. The Office of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) has five specialists working in the Hazardous Materials Program. These staff are dedicated to properly managing and disposing of all the hazardous waste (chemical and biological) and universal waste generated by the University, including the Main Campus in Austin and all off-site locations owned by UT Austin. There is an online training program in place for the proper handling and disposal of hazardous waste, including promoting waste minimization.
EHS has a written Waste Minimization Plan and the university is pursuing a variety of initiatives including:
• Green labs
• Small-scale recycling in labs
• Chemical exchange programs
• Chemical container recycling
• Mercury thermometer exchange
• Glove recycling
A brief description of how the institution safely disposes of hazardous, universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:
Sharps and biological waste are picked up throughout campus following receipt of a Biological Waste and Sharps Form. Supplies, such as sharp containers and cardboard bio boxes, are delivered as needed.
An extended description of chemical waste handling procedures is online at:
Training program:
Training program:
The website URL where information about hazardous materials management is available:
EHS recycles rechargeable batteries through its hazardous waste vendor.
A brief description of any significant hazardous material release incidents during the previous three years, including volume, impact and response/remediation:
On 19 December 2023, EHS was notified that a contractor was cleaning the exterior façade of the Brazos Parking garage, and contaminants were entering the storm sewer. EHS responded and it was determined that the contractor was utilizing sodium hypochlorite and water in a 1/6 ratio and the runoff was entering the storm sewer system. The contractor was immediately ordered to cease operations. EHS evaluated Waller Creek and confirmed that the solution reached the creek, but it was primarily contained within a pooled area adjacent to the outfall. Approximately 25 fish within Waller Creek were killed because of the contamination. Additional investigation revealed that approximately 1,050 gallons of sodium hypochlorite and water was released between the 18th of December and the 19th. EHS, on behalf of the contractor, notified TCEQ, City of Austin Watershed, and Texas Parks and Wildlife. CG Environmental was contacted to mobilize and remove the contaminated water from the pooled area. CG environmental removed approximately 10,000 gallons of contaminated water by 11 pm on December 20th. The contaminated water was stored in a frac tank until ultimate disposal on 10 January 2024.
A brief description of any inventory system employed by the institution to facilitate the reuse or redistribution of laboratory chemicals:
The EHS Assistant database allows researchers to share their lab chemical inventories to encourage reuse and redistribution.
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:
University Surplus gathers all institution-generated e-waste and disburses it through allowed disposal channels (no landfill): Texas educational institutions, Surplus auctions, and Texas Correctional Industries.
Prior to Surplus, we offer a hard drive destruction service for staff and faculty that includes the extraction of recyclable materials. This service is available through Information Technology Services (ITS).
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:
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.