| Overall Rating | Bronze - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 26.15 |
| Liaison | Hector Davis |
| Submission Date | June 26, 2017 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Tarleton State University
OP-25: Hazardous Waste Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.75 / 1.00 |
Hector
Davis Environmental Health & Safety Coordinator Risk Management & Compliance |
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:
Tarleton EHS personnel conduct regular training and work hand in hand with faculty, staff and facilities personnel to reduce and control the amount of hazardous and universal waste generated on campus. When possible, chemicals are re-purposed in other departments that have need rather than slate them for disposal.
In addition, Tarleton EHS personnel conduct a biennial review of chemical inventory on hand to identify chemicals for removal based on age, condition, container and labeling.
When possible, micro-chemistry practices are utilized to reduce the amount of waste generated in teaching and research laboratories.
A brief description of how the institution safely disposes of hazardous, universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:
Hazardous chemicals and lab wastes slated for disposal are segregated into an explosion-proof building. Once per year a licensed subcontractor mobilizes to Tarleton's campus to segregate and lab pack the waste according to hazard classification. The waste is then transported for proper disposition.
Universal waste is typically recycled through a licensed subcontractor, with the exception of paint-based waste (paint-related waste is handled internally). Examples of universal waste recycled from Tarleton's campus include batteries (alkaline and rechargeable), bulbs and ballasts and used oil/antifreeze.
Non-regulated waste is disposed in accordance with local, State and Federal rules and regulations.
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:
Currently, Tarleton EHS personnel are in the process of barcoding all chemical inventory on campus to assist in identifying non-utilized materials, peroxide formers and pre-cursors.
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):
In accordance with Texas Government Code Chapter 2175:
Sec. 2175.905. DISPOSITION OF DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT. (a) If a disposition of a state agency's surplus or salvage data processing equipment is not made under Section 2175.184, the state agency shall transfer the equipment to:
(1) a school district or open-enrollment charter school in this state under Subchapter C, Chapter 32, Education Code;
(2) an assistance organization specified by the school district; or
(3) the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
(b) If a disposition of the surplus or salvage data processing equipment of a state eleemosynary institution or an institution or agency of higher education is not made under other law, the institution or agency shall transfer the equipment to:
(1) a school district or open-enrollment charter school in this state under Subchapter C, Chapter 32, Education Code;
(2) an assistance organization specified by the school district; or
(3) the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
(c) The state eleemosynary institution or institution or agency of higher education or other state agency may not collect a fee or other reimbursement from the district, the school, the assistance organization, or the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for the surplus or salvage data processing equipment transferred under this section.
(d) An assistance organization may not lease, lend, bail, deconstruct, encumber, sell, trade, or otherwise dispose of data processing equipment acquired under this section. The assistance organization may dispose of the equipment only by transferring the equipment to the school district that specified the assistance organization for transfer under this section.
Tarleton has implemented an annual e-recycling event to coincide with another community service event - Tarleton's Annual Day of Service. The Department of Risk Management & Compliance along with the Purchasing Department sponsor a drop-off for faculty, staff, students and community members to drop off their e-cyclables. This opportunity is advertised along with the Day of Service to ensure the opportunity is made available to as many in the community as possible.
A brief description of steps taken to ensure that e-waste is recycled responsibly, workers’ basic safety is protected, and environmental standards are met:
Tarleton utilizes a local contractor to handle the e-waste collected during this event. This same contractor handles all of the universal waste generated by Tarleton and is familiar with our personnel and campus.
Multiple bins are provided for on-site sorting of materials and no hand labor/sorting by Tarleton personnel or anyone dropping materials off is required.
After the event, the contractor mobilizes to Tarleton's campus, picks up the bins and transports them to their facility where they are further sorted by trained personnel into the proper commodity streams for shipping to the end user. Tarleton receives a certificate of destruction/recycling for the materials.
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.