Overall Rating Silver
Overall Score 54.38
Liaison Jennifer Martel
Submission Date Jan. 31, 2023

STARS v2.2

University of the Fraser Valley
OP-20: Hazardous Waste Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 0.75 / 1.00
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Part 1. Hazardous waste minimization and disposal

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

A brief description of steps taken to reduce hazardous, special (e.g. coal ash), universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:
At UFV, most of the chemicals for labs are made in small amounts and only as required. Limited quantities are stored. Stored chemicals are locked in secure areas of the lab.

A brief description of how the institution safely disposes of hazardous, universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:
Hazardous waste is collected and disposed of by an appropriate waste-handling company. This includes solids and liquids. If safe to do so, non-hazardous waste is rinsed down the sink. All lab area water drains into a neutralization pit before being discharged. Biohazardous waste is collected and sterilized prior to disposal.

A brief description of any significant hazardous material release incidents during the previous three years, including volume, impact and response/remediation:
We have had no significant hazardous material release incidents 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:
Each department has an inventory which is posted on their department drives. Reuse of chemicals is not appropriate. If a chemical is needed on another campus it is transported by UFV couriers. Then this chemical is added to the appropriate lab inventory. Every year before the hazardous waste disposal time, we consider the disposal of older, unused chemicals

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 the institution?:
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:

A brief description of the electronic waste recycling program(s), including information about how electronic waste generated by the institution and/or students is recycled:
UFV uses the services of Quantum Lifecycle Partners LP which operates state-of-the-art reuse and recycling systems that safely, securely and transparently break down old equipment into its reusable components and recycled commodities. This includes:
- Complete avoidance of landfill
- Recycled material sent to downstream refineries
- Remarket/donate
- Partner with Information Technology Asset Disposition (ITAD) expert vs. scrap merchant

Quantum is one of a select group providing EOL processing services for each of Canada’s Provincial Stewardship Programs. In British Columbia, Quantum is an approved processor for EPRA BC.

Is the institution’s electronic waste recycler certified under the e-Stewards and/or Responsible Recycling (R2) standards?:
Yes

Optional Fields 

Website URL where information about the institution’s hazardous waste program is available:
---

Additional documentation to support the submission:
---

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.