| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 61.63 |
| Liaison | Leslie North |
| Submission Date | March 1, 2024 |
Western Kentucky University
OP-20: Hazardous Waste Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Madeline
Petty Graduate Assistant Earth, Environmental, and Atmospheric Sciences |
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:
Hazardous reduction has been largely achieved by the transition of chemistry and biology laboratories from large scale to micro scale experimentation and the utilization of less hazardous substances, such as the usage of digital thermometers vs, those that contain mercury. Coal ash waste, both fly and bottom ashes have been totally eliminated by the Universities adaption of natural gas as a sole heat source and the decommissioning of the coal fired boilers. Fluorescent lamps generated that pass the EPA’s TCLP test for hazardous waste are processed on site by EHS. Lamps that do not pass TCLP limits are containerized and shipped off-site for disposal. Methods employed over the last several years to reduce the amount of non-regulated chemical waste, including reuse and recycling have made further reductions both technically and financially infeasible.
A brief description of how the institution safely disposes of hazardous, universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:
Waste materials that cannot be reused or recycled on site are disposed of by utilization of a fully permitted, licensed and insured vendor in accordance with EPA regulations. WKU is a registered large quantity generator of hazardous waste, maintaining all EPA RCRA record-keeping requirements, and consistently passing annual EPA inspections with no noted violations.
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 releases of hazardous materials within the last 3 years.
A brief description of any inventory system employed by the institution to facilitate the reuse or redistribution of laboratory chemicals:
WKU does not utilized a reuse or redistribution database for chemicals, as the bulk received at the hazardous waste facility are either outdated or in a condition that makes their purity questionable, rendering them useless for academic or research pursuits.
Does the institution have or participate in a program to responsibly recycle, reuse, and/or refurbish 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), including information about how electronic waste generated by the institution and/or students is recycled:
The university works with PowerHouse Recycling to recycle all electronics that are obsolete, broken, or of low value. Invoice from PowerHouse attached verifying partnership, weights, and materials recycled. In FY23, WKU recycled 6.25 tons of electronics. All other electronics are sold via auction, donated, or incorporated into WKU's Earn-A-Computer Program.
WKU’s ITS Dept manages the Recycled Computer Program, through which faculty/staff can purchase gently used computers for departmental use, as opposed to purchasing new. Once computers have aged beyond supportability under ITS standards, they come to Surplus where they are sold, recycled, or donated.
WKU partnered with SGA to purchase and install an electronic recycling bin in Downing Student Union. This bin is centrally located, accessible 24/7, and designated for students’ personal electronics. Items are taken to Surplus where they are combined with WKU’s other electronics for recycling.
Is the institution’s electronic waste recycler certified under the e-Stewards and/or Responsible Recycling (R2) standards?:
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:
Monthly invoice from PowerHouse Recycling attached for verification of weights and company. Link below provides info on their certifications: https://powerhouserecycling.com/certifications/
Data regarding hazardous waste provided by Laura Tomlin of Environmental Health and Safety, and Beth Gafford of Surplus on Electronic Waste Diversion.
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.