Overall Rating Bronze - expired
Overall Score 42.75
Liaison John Stolz
Submission Date Feb. 28, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Duquesne University
OP-21: Hazardous Waste Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 0.50 / 1.00
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Part 1 

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?:
Yes

A brief description of steps taken to reduce hazardous, special (e.g. coal ash), universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:
The Duquesne University Department of Environmental Health and Safety collects all hazardous waste on a weekly basis (this is primarily generated in the labs) and it is stored in a central accumulation area. EHSI has monthly lab packs, where Veolia Environmental will come in and segregate/package/ship/dispose of the chemicals. This waste is shipped on a quarterly basis (bulbs, oil, paints, HVAC chemicals, batteries, oil filters – these are the most common). Biological waste is collected as needed and this is shipped out every other week through Stericycle. This includes all dry infectious waste and animals (animal care and biology). Biowaste generators are all across campus – health services, labs, physical therapy, bme, nursing, etc. Radioactive waste is shipped as needed using Ecology Services.

A brief description of how the institution safely disposes of hazardous, universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:
The Duquesne University Department of Environmental Health and Safety collects all hazardous waste on a weekly basis (this is primarily generated in the labs) and it is stored in a central accumulation area. EHSI has monthly lab packs, where Veolia Environmental will come in and segregate/package/ship/dispose of the chemicals. This waste is shipped on a quarterly basis (bulbs, oil, paints, HVAC chemicals, batteries, oil filters – these are the most common). Biological waste is collected as needed and this is shipped out every other week through Stericycle. This includes all dry infectious waste and animals (animal care and biology). Biowaste generators are all across campus – health services, labs, physical therapy, bme, nursing, etc. Radioactive waste is shipped as needed using Ecology Services.

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 incident in recent years. Most incidents on campus are minor spills. All labs are equipped with spill kits and the Department of Environmental Health and Safety has numerous spill supplies.

A brief description of any inventory system employed by the institution to facilitate the reuse or redistribution of laboratory chemicals:
Duquesne University's Environmental Health and Safety Department requests an annual inventory from all laboratory departments. Most often, the departments work this internally. For example, when a faculty member is leaving, the chemicals will be examined. Some of them will come to me as hazardous waste (they might be old, and not usable) and the other chemicals will be open to go to a new home. If there are remaining chemicals, they will be disposed of. The Chemistry Department has an annual clean-out in which they share chemical stores.

Part 2 

Does the institution have or participate in a program to responsibly recycle, reuse, and/or refurbish electronic waste generated by the institution?:
Yes

Does the institution have or participate in a program to responsibly recycle, reuse, and/or refurbish electronic waste generated by students?:
Yes

If yes to either of the above, provide:

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:
Duquesne University's Computer Store and IT Department clean out old computers/laptops and offer resales.

Is the institution’s electronic waste recycler certified under the e-Stewards and/or Responsible Recycling (R2) standards?:
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Optional Fields 

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:
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The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.