| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 56.09 |
| Liaison | Ann Duong |
| Submission Date | Aug. 20, 2011 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Northern British Columbia
OP-21: Hazardous Waste Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
David
Claus Energy Manager Facilities Management |
Does the institution have strategies in place to safely dispose of all hazardous, 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, universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:
Hazardous Waste guidelines at UNBC include:
Reducing lab waste is the first step in ensuring your lab is operating in an environmentally conscious manner. Please consider the following points to help your lab minimize its hazardous waste generation:
− Purchase chemicals in the smallest quantity sufficient for your work.
− Exchange excess chemicals with other labs.
− Consider using less hazardous reagents whenever possible.
− Use decontaminating methods where possible to reduce the amount of hazardous waste.
− Do not mix hazardous and non-hazardous wastes.
− Ensure that all waste is properly identified and labeled. Unknown chemicals create an expensive disposal problem.
A brief description of how the institution safely disposes of hazardous, universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:
Hazardous waste that is collected in the lab should be delivered to Chemstores for proper disposal. This includes hazardous liquid chemical waste, hazardous solid chemical waste (i.e. items that have been contaminated with hazardous chemicals such as gloves and paper towels), and biohazardous waste. Radioactive waste is handled separately by the Radiation Safety Officer.
Chemical wastes and medical/biological wastes are each disposed of by specialty firms contracted by the university.
Non-hazardous, water-soluble liquid wastes may be suitable for drain disposal. If the solution is suitable for drain disposal, use the following precautions:
− Neutralize acidic or basic solutions before disposal.
− Flush the solution down the drain with plenty of water.
− Dispose of small quantities at a time.
Solid chemical waste that is considered non-hazardous may suitable for disposal in the trash. If the material is suitable for trash disposal, use the following precautions:
− Package the material in at least two layers, e.g. plastic bag packed inside cardboard box.
− Label inner packaging to identify its contents in case the packaging breaks open.
− Deliver all waste to Chemstores for proper disposal.
The website URL where information about hazardous materials management 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.