| Overall Rating | Bronze - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 32.05 |
| Liaison | Gary Cocke |
| Submission Date | June 13, 2016 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
The University of Texas at Dallas
OP-25: Hazardous Waste Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
None
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
None
A brief description of steps taken to reduce hazardous, special (e.g. coal ash), universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:
This staff is dedicated to the proper management and disposal of all the hazardous waste (chemical and biological) and universal waste generated by the University. As of February 2016, a hazardous waste manager was hired to closely manage the program.
UT Dallas also utilizes Chemtracker, which is a program that implements a barcoding system for chemical inventory management and reporting. This allows tracking of chemicals to assist in notification of expiring products and what products are available. Labs are notified if they have products expiring in the near future, with hopes that they are able to use the materials already at hand.
In addition, there is an online training program in place for the proper handling and disposal of hazardous waste which includes promoting waste minimization. This also includes the recycling of non-hazardous wastes, when possible.
A Pollution Prevention Plan is in place that covers campus wide activities and is pursuing a variety of initiatives including:
• Tracking waste disposal costs to help focus waste minimization activities
• Campus-wide recycling efforts, including for facilities buildings and campus apartments.
None
A brief description of how the institution safely disposes of hazardous, universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:
Training is provided for all research lab members through an online service, ensuring that everyone has been educated in proper waste handling and generation in the labs. In addition, in person training is provided to other staff and faculty that covers wastes generated in their spaces. This training includes proper storage (ie. Closed containers, secondary containment), storage times, satellite accumulation areas and segregation of incompatible materials.
All waste generated in the labs is treated as hazardous until being classified by the waste vendor and UT Dallas staff. Labs request waste pick-ups though an online system. This notifies members of the waste management team, including the outside waste vendor. The waste vendor then picks up the waste and provides replacement waste containers, as necessary. They then transport the waste containers to a centralized waste accumulation building (container storage area). This building is locked at all times. The waste is segregated within the building in different rooms, which include secondary containment in the event of a spill. Waste pick-ups from the container storage area are scheduled to occur at a maximum of 90 days form the last pick-up. All wastes are transported to a permitted off-site disposal facility.
The waste vendor is on contract through UT System, which ensures that the waste handlers, transporters and disposal facilities have all the required permitting, insurance and are managing the materials properly.
Universal Waste Lamps and Universal Batteries are also collected in the container storage area. These wastes go to a permitted recycling company and are picked up once per month.
None
A brief description of any significant hazardous material release incidents during the previous three years, including volume, impact and response/remediation:
None
None
A brief description of any inventory system employed by the institution to facilitate the reuse or redistribution of laboratory chemicals:
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None
Does the institution have or participate in a program to responsibly recycle, reuse, and/or refurbish all electronic waste generated by the institution?:
Yes
None
Does the institution have or participate in a program to responsibly recycle, reuse, and/or refurbish electronic waste generated by students?:
Yes
None
A brief description of the electronic waste recycling program(s):
UT Dallas hosts an e-waste recycle event every year where students, staff and faculty can bring their personal electronics to be recycled by a third party recycle company.
None
A brief description of steps taken to ensure that e-waste is recycled responsibly, workers’ basic safety is protected, and environmental standards are met:
University property is managed via the State of Texas surplus guidelines, indicating that all electronics must be offered for sale. This first step allows for reuse of most items. Items that cannot be sold are recycled.
None
The website URL where information about the institution’s hazardous and electronic-waste recycling programs is available:
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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.