| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 60.20 |
| Liaison | Jonathan Rausseo |
| Submission Date | March 29, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Ottawa
OP-21: Hazardous Waste Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Pascal
Simard Assistant Director Office of Risk Management |
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:
From an education and research perspective, the University has a chemical inventory system (VERTERE) which was developed in cooperation with a number of Canadian Universities and government institutions. This system covers the lifecycle (inventory, management, sharing, and disposal) of chemicals and hazardous products on campus. This program also allows us to monitor and reduce certain hazardous materials whose use is regulated under specific federal/international policies i.e. ozone depleting substances, PCBs.
From an operations perspective, the University manages the recycling and disposal of hazardous waste via both the campus Waste Diversion Coordinator and the University's hazardous waste disposal program. The coordinator and technicians are responsible for the disposal of batteries, fluorescent light bulbs, paints, cleaning products, oily waste, glycol etc.
The University has also embarked on an inter-university chemical sharing program to help reduce the amount of chemicals it purchases. Furthermore, there are rules in place about the use of other substances that we no longer use on campus (i.e. pesticides).
A brief description of how the institution safely disposes of hazardous, universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:
The University of Ottawa has a hazardous materials collection, storage, and disposal system administered by the Office of Risk Management. The system covers the identification, storage, and collection of this material, including training for all users at the University. The University has 4 main hazardous waste storage rooms on campus, where the Office of Risk Management clearly identifies, sorts, and bulks the chemicals. This serves 2 main purposes:
1) cost minimization,
2) the University can reuse and recycle small glass containers on campus.
Several certified disposal companies (regulated under the Ontario Ministry of the Environment - HWIN) transport and process all waste from the University, some of which is recycled/repurposed.
A brief description of any significant hazardous material release incidents during the previous three years, including volume, impact and response/remediation:
Fortunately, the University has not had any notable/significant release incidents in the past 3 years. The University does, however, have a spill program to supply training and materials to users all around campus. This programs helps to mitigate the impact of spills/releases by raising awareness and allowing for quick containment, cleanup, and remediation when spills do occur.
A brief description of any inventory system employed by the institution to facilitate the reuse or redistribution of laboratory chemicals:
The University uses VERTERE (an intra-university chemical inventory program) to facilitate the reuse and redistribution of chemicals. The University inputs all chemicals into the system as they arrive. The Inventory is continuously updated.
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:
The e-waste is recycled through a private company who abides by the stringent Ontario Environmental Stewardship rules.
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:
This information was obtained during an interview with John Loop (Environmental Health and Safety Technician - Office of Risk Management
This information was obtained during an interview with John Loop (Environmental Health and Safety Technician - Office of Risk Management
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.