Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 65.57
Liaison Jeff Spoelstra
Submission Date July 22, 2014
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Western Michigan University
OP-25: Hazardous Waste Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 1.00 Warren Hills
Associate Vice President
Human Resources
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

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:
WMU hires a licensed hazardous waste contractor to remove all of the hazardous waste & non-regulated waste that is collected for offsite management every 90 days. Universal waste is also managed by a licensed contractor for recycling. Hazardous waste minimization is provided via on-going training to students, faculty, and staff. Hazardous waste training is provided annually which covers waste minimization, waste segregation of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes, to reduce the quantity of ordering new chemicals to only what is needed, and if possible, to try to use less toxic chemicals.
+ Date Revised: Sept. 8, 2014

A brief description of how the institution safely disposes of hazardous, universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:
WMU safely disposes of hazardous, universal, and non-regulated chemical waste by utilizing only State and/or Federal licensed waste haulers.

A brief description of any significant hazardous material release incidents during the previous three years, including volume, impact and response/remediation:
None.

A brief description of any inventory system employed by the institution to facilitate the reuse or redistribution of laboratory chemicals:
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

Does the institution have or participate in a program to responsibly recycle, reuse, and/or refurbish electronic waste generated by students?:
Yes

A brief description of the electronic waste recycling program(s):
Electronic waste is collected by Logistical Services for resale back to the university or public at Surplus Sales. If the electronic device is broken or obsolete, the item will be dismantled according to recyclable materials and taken to a reputable recycler. Students have the option to utilize Logistical Services/Surplus Sales through out the year. At the end of the year collection of electronic waste and hazardous waste is conducted during student move out.

A brief description of steps taken to ensure that e-waste is recycled responsibly, workers’ basic safety is protected, and environmental standards are met:
Environmental and safety staff members have evaluated the workers safety and have provided PPE. The e-waste is recycled by a reputable recycler where they follow the state and federal regulations.

The website URL where information about the institution’s hazardous and electronic-waste recycling programs is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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