| Overall Rating | Reporter - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | |
| Liaison | Karen Marin-Hines |
| Submission Date | March 3, 2017 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Texas Tech University
OP-21: Hazardous Waste Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
Reporter |
Lisa
Simmons Section Coordinator Planning & Administration |
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:
The University strives to achieve its goals to reduce waste generation it has set through its Source Reduction and Waste Minimization (SRWM) plan that it updates every five years and reports its progress annually to the TCEQ. The University currently has a goal in place to reduce hazardous waste generation by 5% over the next five years. This is achieved by education of its customers (mostly laboratories) in the proper use of hazardous materials and proper handling and disposal practices for hazardous waste. It has also streamlined its receipt of chemicals and other hazardous materials though a central receiving facility called the Gateway. The material is cataloged, tracked, and barcoded to prevent excessive amounts of chemicals from being over-ordered and accumulated on campus. The ultimate goal of this process is to reduce the amount of laboratory chemicals that need to be wasted because of non-use or expiration.
A brief description of how the institution safely disposes of hazardous, universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:
The University utilizes as an authorized and registered contractor to collect, transport, and dispose of hazardous and non-regulated waste streams known as a TSD facility. The University thoroughly vets the TSD to assure it is a viable, registered entity with the USEPA and TCEQ. This vetting insures the facility has the capability and financial assurance to properly dispose of the waste it receives by way of incineration and/or registered landfill.
The University utilizes the same vetting mechanism for its Universal waste streams as they are either recycled or reclaimed for fuels blending. The recycler only has to be a registered Universal waste handler with the TCEQ.
A brief description of any significant hazardous material release incidents during the previous three years, including volume, impact and response/remediation:
There have been no releases of hazardous waste to the atmosphere, ground, or waters of the State in the last three years.
A brief description of any inventory system employed by the institution to facilitate the reuse or redistribution of laboratory chemicals:
Currently, the University’s inventory of chemicals and hazardous materials do not accommodate the reuse of laboratory chemicals. It is currently being evaluated to determine if a process can be incorporated to facilitate the reuse of overstock, off-specification, or older chemicals located on campus. .
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 accepted at the collection center located on campus. In addition, e-waste may be collected by request and sent to several vendors capable of recycling the material.
Is the institution’s electronic waste recycler certified under the e-Stewards and/or Responsible Recycling (R2) standards?:
Electronic waste recycled or otherwise diverted from the landfill or incinerator during the most recent year for which data is available during the previous three years:
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives 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.