AASHE STARS - Operations: Waste

OP-21: Hazardous Waste Managment
Any activities requiring the use of hazardous chemicals listed in Section XI of the Maryville College Chemical Hygiene Plan must complete the Permission for Acutely Hazardous Chemical Use form and submit it to the division chair for review. The Natural Sciences division chair and Laboratory Coordinator review the chemical inventory to track presence of hazardous materials.
No radioactive materials are allowed on campus.

We follow a decision tree for hazardous waste collection determination. Exhaust air from experiments using toxic substances is decontaminated before being released into the ambient air. Leftover, used, contaminated, or extra materials are collected, recorded, and classified and labeled as waste. The materials are accumulated in a separate, designated area until disposed of according to the hazardous waste handling precautions described in the Maryville College Chemical Hygiene Plan. Disposal must be approved by the Maryville College Chemical Hygiene Officer and must be carried out to assure minimum harm to people, other organisms, and the environment. An external disposal firm is used to dispose of collected waste. The college abides by the Tennessee Department of Health and Environment standards as well as OSHA hazardous waste management policies.

Tier 2-5: Move-In Waste Reduction
The Maryville College Environmental Action Team (EAT) collects cardboard when students move in and recycles it.  Students from EAT create a "BoxFort" move-in cardboard drop off site, and then build structures with the boxes to promote the drop off.  Boxes, post-Fort, are brought to a recycling facility.

Tier 2-6: Move-Out Waste Reduction
At the end of the year, a coordinated donation system diverts students' unwanted items to a local charity.  East Tennessee Goodwill drops off boxes from which students can drop off unwanted items.  Student postings at this site discuss the event: earth911.com

 

*not all credits being pursued for AASHE STARS rating are listed on this page.  for further information about any STARS credit information, contact MC STARS Administrator, Adrienne Schwarte at adrienne.schwarte@maryvillecollege.edu