| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 57.90 |
| Liaison | Jessica Bowen |
| Submission Date | Aug. 3, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Aquinas College
OP-25: Hazardous Waste Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Jessica
Eimer Bowen Director of Sustainability Center for Sustainability |
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:
Aquinas College has developed and implemented an Environmental Management System (EMS) in order to ensure compliance with existing and new environmental requirements, to reduce the impact of its operations, activities and services on the environment and to better satisfy the requirements and expectations of its faculty, staff, students, alumni and trustees. The EMS was designed to meet the overall requirements of the international standard ISO 14001 (2004). This program includes the identification of all environmental aspects and impacts, awareness and competence training, and better management to avoid regulated and non-regulated potential exposures, This proactive approach can help reduce the risk of non-compliance and improve health and safety practices for employees and the public.
A brief description of how the institution safely disposes of hazardous, universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:
While Aquinas has minimal hazardous waste, it is all disposed of or recycled by certified and compliant companies. Universal and non-regulated chemical waste is collected and stored in marked containers and recycled with appropriate local companies when possible.
A brief description of any significant hazardous material release incidents during the previous three years, including volume, impact and response/remediation:
N/A
A brief description of any inventory system employed by the institution to facilitate the reuse or redistribution of laboratory chemicals:
Does the institution have or participate in a program to responsibly recycle, reuse, and/or refurbish all 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):
Aquinas College encourages that all unwanted and broken electronic items are recycled on campus, including cell phones, alarm clocks, radios, computer parts, and much more. Any item with a battery or a cord is accepted (excluding large appliances such as refrigerators). Collection sites are located all across campus in almost every building. Collected electronics are donated to Comprenew Environmental, a non-profit e-waste recycler who reprocesses all e-waste collected for resale or disassembles into component parts for reuse by suppliers. Electronic waste generated by the institution is very small, because almost all electronics are leased rather than purchased.
A brief description of steps taken to ensure that e-waste is recycled responsibly, workers’ basic safety is protected, and environmental standards are met:
Comprenew Environmental is a universal waster handler (EPA #= MIK934727314). All materials are destined for total recycling in accordance with EPA, OSHA, Federal, State, and County regulations. Comprenew Environmental guarantees compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations and laws pertaining to the disposal, recycling, and transport of computer and other electronic equipment processes.
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:
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.