Northern Arizona University
OP-20: Hazardous Waste Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Dayna
McKay Data Analyst Office of 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:
NAU EHS has a hazardous waste minimization program that utilizes a four-pronged approach to minimizing chemical waste on campus. The first part of the program is dedicated to source reduction and recycling of laboratory chemicals where applicable. Examples include substituting hazardous reagents with those that are more environmentally friendly and/or less toxic; re-distillation of solvents; elementary neutralization; and separation of laboratory wastes by hazard. We also emphasize: "Buy less, store less, use less".
Second is EHS' redistribution program. Should a researcher no longer need an unused reagent, EHS will remove it from their laboratory and take it to a secure, fire-rated location. The reagent is added to an inventory that is given to all laboratories upon request. Any item requested is supplied to the requestor free of charge.
Third is the Green Labs Program (GLP). The GLP is a joint effort between the Office of Sustainability and EHS to educate researchers and academic laboratories on their environmental impacts. Educating laboratorians on closing fume hood sashes, turning out lights, reducing waste, and using up-to-date laboratory equipment are a few examples of the GLP initiative.
Our last feature is using our property surplus group to re-sell non-hazardous reagents. EHS transfers unopened, unregulated wastes (latex paint, soap, etc.) from our waste building to property surplus before disposal. The general public can then purchase any of these unused wastes at a reduced cost.
A brief description of how the institution safely disposes of hazardous, universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:
NAU EHS uses a ticketing system for pickup of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes. The ticketing system allows EHS to pick up hazardous wastes from labs and trade shops when needed. All laboratory personnel are required to take NAU Chemical Hygiene Training, which includes a 15-minute synopsis of hazardous and non-hazardous waste requirements, as well as source reduction. NAU's Hazardous Waste Manager works closely with the Chemical Hygiene Officer to ensure laboratory personnel are collecting all wastes in accordance with local, state, and federal law.
All hazardous, non-regulated, and universal wastes are disposed of or recycled through an EPA-certified Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facility. On-campus transportation of chemical reagents and hazardous waste requires secondary containment. EHS personnel process all wastes on-site prior to shipment. This includes separating, bulking, and packaging in accordance with DOT regulations.
A brief description of any significant hazardous material release incidents during the previous three years, including volume, impact and response/remediation:
No significant hazardous material release has occurred on campus in the past three years.
A brief description of any inventory system employed by the institution to facilitate the reuse or redistribution of laboratory chemicals:
As mentioned previously, EHS redistributes unused chemicals to both laboratory personnel and to the public, with the latter being only non-regulated 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:
E-waste is generated from all faculty/staff. Property Surplus recycles old computers, laptops, microwaves, etc. through a licensed e-waste vendor.
The electronic waste program at NAU comprises a couple of steps. Unwanted electronics are first sent to NAU Property Surplus. There are collection points for electronic waste materials located in the dormitories on campus. At the end of each year when the dormitories are vacated, any unwanted and unclaimed materials are turned over to NAU Property Surplus. Surplus then determines if items are sellable to the public as surplus property or not. If it is determined that the equipment cannot be sold through surplus it is sent to an E-scrap pile housed in the NAU surplus facility (all computers must be wiped before selling or scrapping). The e-scrap is then placed on a pallet, Once enough pallets have been collected, an E-Scrap auction is held for individuals who are interested in buying pallets of electronic components; scrap computers, etc. by the lot. If there are no buyers for the scrap pallets, they are then sent to the recyclers. For those items that do make it to the recyclers, Westtech Recyclers, (https://www.westechrecyclers.com/) located in PHX is our electronic scrap recycler. Their certifications include:
• Certificate of Destruction: A Certificate of Destruction provides an audit trail that your data was destroyed per NIST 800-88 guidelines for data destruction.
• ISO 14001 and ISO 45001: Certification to ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 means that Westech controls and improves our environmental performance. The result means that we live by our philosophy of being a steward of the environment.
• R2 Certification: Complying with the R2 standard means that your electronics are managed in an environmentally responsible manner especially those identified with hazardous materials. R2 compliance also promotes reuse and our certified testing processes ensure this environmentally favorable option.
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:
Information provided by:
Part 1- Mick.Kelly@nau.edu
Part 2- Kenneth.MacFerren@nau.edu
Information provided by:
Part 1- Mick.Kelly@nau.edu
Part 2- Kenneth.MacFerren@nau.edu
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.