| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 82.81 |
| Liaison | Aaron Durnbaugh |
| Submission Date | April 12, 2023 |
Loyola University Chicago
OP-20: Hazardous Waste Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Hamlet
Gonzalez Asst. Director Operations Facilities |
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:
All chemical purchases are made through a departmental centralized system. Chemicals are delivered to managers in the basic science departments, who distribute the minimal amounts required for the instructional labs. Inventories are maintained by the departments. All hazardous waste and non-regulated waste that cannot be recycled are disposed of through Veolia Environmental Services. Veolia will treat and recycle some hazardous waste as well as fuel blend some waste. We have a Facilities recycling program for lamps, ballasts, e-waste ink-jet and toner cartridges.
A brief description of how the institution safely disposes of hazardous, universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:
We contract with Veolia, an environmental service company for proper disposal of our hazardous waste and non-regulated chemical waste. We have a separate service for recycling our lamps, ballasts and batteries.
A brief description of any significant hazardous material release incidents during the previous three years, including volume, impact and response/remediation:
We have not had a significant hazardous material release into the environment in the past three years. We have a contract with Veolia Environmental Services for any emergency response services for hazardous spills.
We had an internal lab spill of 20% Nitric Acid in June 2021. Proper protocols were followed and there was no documented impact on any human or ecological health.
A brief description of any inventory system employed by the institution to facilitate the reuse or redistribution of laboratory chemicals:
We have upgraded and updated our web based application to Vertere for tracking our chemical inventory on campus as well as providing thorough in person training for users and other employees that may have exposure to chemicals during their duties. The basic science lab managers have access to all inventory records for their departments. They can redeploy chemicals from one location to another as necessary to minimize the purchase of hazardous chemicals.
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:
For larger electronics like computers, Loyola's Information Technology Services (ITS) created and administers the “LUC PC Refresh” program. The program’s guidelines cover the recycling and reusing of university-owned computer related electronics. Those computer related electronics that meet the minimum criteria are refurbished and reused on campus when possible. Computer related electronics that do not meet this minimum are currently recycled by Chicago Surplus Computer.
Miscellaneous electronic items purchased with University funds such as small desk / inkjet printers, fax machines, scanners, etc. are handled collaboratively with ITS and Facilities Management. When these miscellaneous items are not within the contractual agreement between ITS and Chicago Surplus Computer, the Facilities Management Department steps in to have the current solid waste hauler (LRS) recycle in-house or contract with an electronics recycling company if needed.
Loyola also has several options for small electronic waste collection from students, staff, and faculty. Digital Media Labs locations on all three campuses can accept small e-waste, as well as the Cycle & Recycle Center - a recycling hub for hard-to-recycle items like electronics, plastic film, disposable masks, and other items we strive to keep from contaminating the standard recycling stream and ending up in landfills.
Link on E-Waste program: https://www.luc.edu/its/dms/printingposters/sustainability/
Cycle and Recycle Center: https://www.luc.edu/sustainability/sustainabilityatloyola/takeaction/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:
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.