| Overall Rating | Bronze - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 44.43 |
| Liaison | John Stolz |
| Submission Date | March 4, 2020 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Duquesne University
OP-21: Hazardous Waste Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.50 / 1.00 |
Carissa
Lange Graduate Assistant Center for Environmental Research & Education (CERE) |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Part 1
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 oversees the waste generation across campus, this can include hazardous, biological, radioactive, and universal waste streams. There are policies in place that help to reduce or minimize the wastes being generated – the Chemical Hygiene Plan, Waste Minimization Plan, etc. Other ways steps taken to help reduce waste production include providing training and safety inspections. EHS conducts several trainings a year that pertain to waste generation and inspections occur weekly, quarterly, and annually.
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 (EHS) oversees the waste generation across campus, this can include hazardous, biological, radioactive, and universal waste streams. There are policies in place that help to reduce or minimize the wastes being generated. Other ways steps include training and inspections.
Hazardous Waste – the EHS department collects all hazardous waste generated in the research and teaching labs on a weekly basis. All hazardous waste containers are labeled and stored in a central accumulation area. EHS conducts monthly lab packs, where a third party will segregate/package/ship/dispose of the chemicals. The Satellite Accumulation Areas (SAA) are inspected on a weekly basis.
Biological Waste – biological waste is generated throughout campus. This waste includes infectious wastes and animal carcasses (biology and animal care). These waste containers are stored in a central area and are shipped every other week.
Radioactive Waste – radioactive materials are only used in specific labs that are closely monitored. This waste can decay on site (isotopes with a short half-life) or they are shipped for disposal (as necessary).
Universal Waste – universal waste is accumulated on site and shipped on a quarterly basis for proper disposal. This waste can include light bulbs, oil, paint, batteries, and oil filters.
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. All laboratory workers and students are trained and equipped with spill kits. The Department of Environmental Health and Safety also 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 laboratories on campus. The inventories can be used to help a lab in need of a specific chemical. The individual departments manage the reuse or redistribution of chemicals as necessary. If a faculty member is cleaning out, moving, or renovated their lab, the chemicals that are no longer useful to them will be shared throughout the department. In some situations, the chemicals would go to EHS for proper disposal (if they are expired/old). Any unclaimed/remaining chemicals would also be disposed of properly through the EHS department. Also, some departments have an annual clean-out where they can donate unwanted chemicals to the department.
Part 2
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:
Duquesne University's Computer Store and IT Department clean out old computers/laptops that students bring to their office and offer resales on these products on a monthly basis. Anything that cannot be salvaged or is not sold is sent to an e waste recycler located in the city of Pittsburgh.
Is the institution’s electronic waste recycler certified under the e-Stewards and/or Responsible Recycling (R2) standards?:
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Optional Fields
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The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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.