| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 66.39 |
| Liaison | Michelle Patterson |
| Submission Date | March 4, 2022 |
Washington University in St. Louis
OP-20: Hazardous Waste Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Scott
Florin Environmental Manager Environmental Health and Safety |
"---"
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:
Reduction: Environmental Health & Safety works closely with University departments to keep regulated waste generation limited. This may be accomplished through review of the chemical agents employed and recommendations for safer, less hazardous alternatives to inventory reductions to reduce the volume of excess or expired chemicals. Departments are also encouraged to offer surplus chemicals for redistribution to other labs.
A brief description of how the institution safely disposes of hazardous, universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:
In 2020, WashU received an EPA Region 7 Pollution Prevention Award: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/washington-university-st-louis-receives-epa-region-7-pollution-prevention-award
Recycling: Whenever possible waste streams are recycled or used for fuel. Examples include equipment, lamp, battery, oil and metals recycling, as well as solvent fuels blending.
Acid and basic chemicals are neutralized on-site and disposed of as wastewater (following all local water regulations), rather than being disposed of as hazardous waste (and incinerated).
Disposal: The Institution has a disposal/recycling program for all hazardous, Universal and other regulated materials. All selected vendors must meet strict requirements for best management practices and regulatory compliance. Additionally, vendors are asked to submit information related to their companies sustainability practices. All responsible for this area are training in the handling and management of regulated waste. Chemical inventory and request for disposal databases are managed through EH&S.
Recycling: Whenever possible waste streams are recycled or used for fuel. Examples include equipment, lamp, battery, oil and metals recycling, as well as solvent fuels blending.
Acid and basic chemicals are neutralized on-site and disposed of as wastewater (following all local water regulations), rather than being disposed of as hazardous waste (and incinerated).
Disposal: The Institution has a disposal/recycling program for all hazardous, Universal and other regulated materials. All selected vendors must meet strict requirements for best management practices and regulatory compliance. Additionally, vendors are asked to submit information related to their companies sustainability practices. All responsible for this area are training in the handling and management of regulated waste. Chemical inventory and request for disposal databases are managed through EH&S.
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 such incidents.
A brief description of any inventory system employed by the institution to facilitate the reuse or redistribution of laboratory chemicals:
While the University does not have an established, campus-wide chemical reuse program, the Institution does have a chemical inventory system.
With this support, departments are encouraged to redistribute surplus chemicals internally prior to requesting disposal of the excess items.
With this support, departments are encouraged to redistribute surplus chemicals internally prior to requesting disposal of the excess items.
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?:
Yes
If yes to either of the above, provide:
Institutional e-waste: Institutionally generated electronic items are recycled through an established program. Vendors that secure this contract must demonstrate 100% recycling and zero landfill. Qualifications must also include domestic stream destinations as well. All chosen facilities must also pass facility audits for compliance with environmental and Safety regulations. Department level donations of computers and cell phones occur regularly to support various non-profit groups.
Student E-Waste: Students can recycle e-waste through the Student Technology Services Center. Signs in the residential hall waste rooms and website resources inform students of this option. Students are also able to bring materials to the 4 annual ewaste collection events.
Personal E-Waste & Public Collection Events: The Office of Sustainability, WashU IT Department, the Operational and Facilities Management Department (Medical School), and the School of Business host four e-waste and paper shredding drives annually. This drive is open to the public and encourages staff, faculty and students to bring their e-waste to campus for safe recycling and disposal.
Student E-Waste: Students can recycle e-waste through the Student Technology Services Center. Signs in the residential hall waste rooms and website resources inform students of this option. Students are also able to bring materials to the 4 annual ewaste collection events.
Personal E-Waste & Public Collection Events: The Office of Sustainability, WashU IT Department, the Operational and Facilities Management Department (Medical School), and the School of Business host four e-waste and paper shredding drives annually. This drive is open to the public and encourages staff, faculty and students to bring their e-waste to campus for safe recycling and disposal.
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:
---
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.