Overall Rating Bronze
Overall Score 42.24
Liaison Tyler Leary
Submission Date April 5, 2024

STARS v2.2

MGH Institute of Health Professions
OP-20: Hazardous Waste Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 0.50 / 1.00 Tyler Leary
Sustainability Coordinator
Office of Campus Services
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Part 1. Hazardous waste minimization and disposal

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 IHP does not have any hazardous, special, or non-regulated chemical waste on campus as reported by our Facilities Manager. We do not have any chemistry/ science labs or other spaces on campus that utilize chemicals or radioactive materials.

The IHP does however have universal waste on campus. The IHP disposes of 2 types of federal universal waste on campus including fluorescent light bulbs and batteries. To help reduce the use of fluorescent bulbs, the IHP aims to be fluorescent free by switching all light bulbs to LED, a less toxic version compared to current use. Light bulbs are switched out systematically once each bulb has blown out. The IHP also promotes use of reusable batteries to reduce the amount thrown away.

A brief description of how the institution safely disposes of hazardous, universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:
Universal Waste- Battery Recycling: MGH IHP has provided a battery collection bin on every floor in each of the buildings it occupies. Once the bins are full, the batteries are sent in a pre-paid bin to VEOLIA ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES for recycling.

Universal Waste- Light Bulb Recycling: Once fluorescent light bulbs are no longer of use and have blown, they are packaged in proper transportation containers and shipped through UPS to the disposal site, also provided by VEOLIA ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES.

A brief description of any significant hazardous material release incidents during the previous three years, including volume, impact and response/remediation:
There have not been any reported significant hazardous material release incidents in the past three years.

A brief description of any inventory system employed by the institution to facilitate the reuse or redistribution of laboratory chemicals:
This is not applicable as MGH IHP does not use or house any laboratory chemicals on its campus as we do not have any chemistry or science labs on campus.

Part 2. Electronic waste diversion

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:
Electronic waste from both students and employees can be brought to a large blue bin on the 4th floor of Building 36, our main building on campus frequently used for employee offices and student classes. The bin is easily accessible by everyone and is available for dropping off electronics during building hours of operation. Once the bin is full, Save that Stuff, the recycling and waste removal company we utilize, picks it up to be recycled. Save that Stuff itself is not certified, but they utilizes some downstream partners to recycle the electronics, which are certified under the e-Stewards and/or Responsible Recycling (R2) standards.

An electronic waste recycling day is also conducted during Earth Week to help promote individuals to properly dispose of their waste.

Is the institution’s electronic waste recycler certified under the e-Stewards and/or Responsible Recycling (R2) standards?:
No

Optional Fields 

Website URL where information about the institution’s hazardous waste program 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.