Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 65.95
Liaison Susan Powers
Submission Date Feb. 12, 2016
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Clarkson University
OP-25: Hazardous Waste Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 1.00 Susan Powers
Assoc. Dir. Sustainability
ISE
"---" 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:

The University's Chemical Hygiene Plan includes details for inventory control and lab decommissioning that are intended to reduce the quantity of hazardous waste generations. Chemistry labs use green chemistry approaches (e.g., small volumes) to reduce waste generation as part of the education of our students. We neutralize acids and bases. We use the MSDS system for inventory and materials compatibility control.


A brief description of how the institution safely disposes of hazardous, universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:

The university follows all federal and state regulations for dealing with hazardous and special wastes (sharps, broken glass, and non regulated materials such as used oil). A third-part regulated hauler is contracted to manage hazardous waste. See pp. 47-50 of the University Chemical Hygiene plan for details.


A brief description of any significant hazardous material release incidents during the previous three years, including volume, impact and response/remediation:

No significant spills. Three minor oil spills were reported to the DEC. Clean up procedure followed state regulations. There were no impacts.


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

MSDS and electronic inventory allows identification of materials available and their internal redistribution


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):

We use Regional Computer Recycling and Recovery for computers and electronics. Custodians are altered to electronic waste; the materials are processed by OIT and stored for pick up. We use North Eastern Recycling for lamps, ballasts and batteries. Custodians deliver bulb and ballasts to storage facilities.
Drop off buckets for batteries are available in key central facilities (e.g., the student union). When buckets are full, custodians transport batteries to storage before pick up.


A brief description of steps taken to ensure that e-waste is recycled responsibly, workers’ basic safety is protected, and environmental standards are met:

Our custodial staff is trained to collect e-waste materials and store them in preparation for off-campus pick up.
Computers and phones are first "sanitized" for sensitive information and relocated to reuse in new locations to the extent feasible.
A reputable commercial dealer is used for transport and final disposition of all e-waste to ensure compliance with worker safety and environmental 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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