Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 63.29
Liaison Geory Kurtzhals
Submission Date Oct. 13, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

University of Notre Dame
OP-21: Hazardous Waste Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 1.00 Mike Seamon
Vice President
Campus Safety & University Operatis
"---" 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:
Safe handling guidelines for chemicals in the laboratory and disposal of hazardous waste can be found in the University’s Chemical Hygiene Plan. To facilitate waste reduction and reduce hazards associated with chemicals the policy offers the following strategies: • Order Only What You Need • Substitute Non-Hazardous or Less Hazardous Materials When Possible • Dispose of Non-Hazardous Materials Yourself When Possible Using Appropriate Treatment • Use Recycled Chemicals Whenever Possible: Periodically Risk Management & Safety distributes a list of recyclable chemicals in the department newsletters. • Label Opening Date on containers

A brief description of how the institution safely disposes of hazardous, universal, and non-regulated chemical waste:
The University of Notre Dame abides by the federal government’s Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) requiring proper storage and handling of hazardous materials. The Risk Management and Safety department prepares hazardous waste for recycling, incineration or land filling in accordance with all local, state and federal regulations. Waste disposal policies can be found in the University’s Chemical Hygiene Plan at the link provided.

A brief description of any significant hazardous material release incidents during the previous three years, including volume, impact and response/remediation:
None.

A brief description of any inventory system employed by the institution to facilitate the reuse or redistribution of laboratory chemicals:
The University of Notre Dame has a Chemical Hygiene Plan in place for reusing and recycling new and used chemicals. The Department of Risk Management and Safety offers assistance to labs in the sorting of unwanted chemicals and redistribution for recycling purposes. Risk Management has an ongoing program of redistributing usable, but unwanted chemicals. Risk Management & Safety produces two newsletters designed to push information to the Notre Dame community.

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:
The University of Notre Dame’s Surplus Program demonstrates the University’s commitment to environmentally friendly practices by reducing waste and re-using assets that are no longer needed by campus departments or students. Surplus reallocates assets throughout the University and also sells them to individuals and nonprofit organizations in the South Bend community. Surplus accepts donations from students, staff, and faculty at Notre Dame and provides a centralized location for the re-sale inventory. Surplus attempts to repair, redistribute, and sell as many of the items as possible, but they do receive items that are beyond repair. The inoperable computers, monitors, televisions, copiers and other electronic items are processed for recycling and picked up by a licensed recycler.

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

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:
18.14 Metric tons

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.