Williams College
OP-20: Hazardous Waste Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Mike
Evans Assistant Director Zilkha Center for Environmental Initiatives |
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:
We try to purchase products on an as needed basis only to reduce the hazardous waste we create. We have seen an uptick in universal waste as more campus members become aware of the safe and environmentally friendly options that we offer for disposal.
A brief description of how the institution safely disposes of hazardous, universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:
Our Facilities Hazardous waste site is now a large quantity generator due to the volume of hazardous waste we produce from large construction projects (specifically the management of ‘dirty dirt’). This changes the frequency of required pickups at our facilities location from every 180 days to every 90 days.
A brief description of any significant hazardous material release incidents during the previous three years, including volume, impact and response/remediation:
In January of 2021 we had a release from the elevator at Lawrence Hall. This was due to a failure in the equipment for the elevator. We are just now in the processing of closing out this reportable release. We generated roughly 20 55-gallons drums of oily water along with additional material that was removed using a vac truck.
A brief description of any inventory system employed by the institution to facilitate the reuse or redistribution of laboratory chemicals:
We have an inventory of chemicals purchased that can be searched by researchers. Our inventory system is up and running, though updating the database is up to the individual researcher. When we purchase chemicals (for all of Chemistry) and they arrive they get entered into the system with a barcode. Once the chemical is depleted it is supposed to be deleted. The accuracy of the system is not 100%. About 95% of what we have on hand is in the system and 30% of what is in the system is no longer on campus (having been depleted without being deleted). Researchers and their students have search capabilities and can view where chemicals are located. Some chemicals like our highly toxic ones and our solvents are not in the system. Our solvents come in bulk and keeping a current inventory of the usage is impossible.
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 Office of Information Technology collects computers for recycling as part of their regular replacement of faculty and staff computers, as well as servers and lab computers. In addition, Williams runs a "Green Up" event at the end of the spring semester where students, faculty, and staff can bring their unwanted electronics to the college for recycling. Williams’ e-waste is handled by Electronics Recyclers International, located in Gardner, MA facility.
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:
info about e-waste is here
https://sustainability.williams.edu/waste/e-waste
info about e-waste is here
https://sustainability.williams.edu/waste/e-waste
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.