Environmental Compliance
There are many environmental regulations that apply to colleges and universities. Keeping air and water clean and ensuring that hazardous waste is processed responsibly are among the goals of these regulations. Environmental Health and Safety develops and implements plan targeted toward environmental protection and compliance with federal, state and local regulations.
Hazardous Waste
It is important for all employees of the University of 蜜桃导航 to understand what hazardous waste is and how to manage hazardous waste properly. Types of hazardous waste can range from laboratory chemicals to office chemicals such as empty aerosol cans. The tools shown below are designed to assist you with management of your hazardous wastes. For additional guidance from EH&S, please contact Mike Quintana at mqintana@memphis.edu or 901.678.2044.
University of 蜜桃导航 Waste Management Tools:
Unwanted Chemical Declaration Form
Guide to Hazardous Waste Management
Quick Guide to Laboratory Waste Management
Waste Determination Process for Spent Chemicals
Waste Determination Process for Unused Chemicals
Satellite Accumulation Area Guide
Recognizing Hazardous Waste
Disposition of Electronic Devices
Handling and Disposal of Mercury-containing Lamps
Hazardous Materials Shipping
Hazardous materials transportation entails the movement of hazardous materials from one place to another. This can mean transport within a building, between buildings on campus or shipping to a location off-campus. Hazardous materials include anything that is defined by the US Department of Transportation (DOT) as a hazardous material. This includes items such as some chemicals, infectious biological agents, radioactive materials and even dry ice. All hazardous materials should be shipped in accordance with the university鈥檚 Hazardous Materials Shipping Plan and all shippers must be trained.
Transportation within a Building
When transporting hazardous materials within a building, the material should be placed in a leak-proof container and secondarily contained within another leak proof container. Transportation on a cart is recommended if the destination is on the same level (floor) as the point of origin and required if the destination is not on the same level. Personal protective equipment should be transported along with the hazardous material to be used in the event of a spill.
Transportation between Buildings
Transportation between buildings is only allowed when the buildings are on the same continguous campus. For example, hazardous materials may not be transported from main campus to Park campus, Lambuth or even south of the railroad tracks without specific permission from Environmental Health and Safety. When transporting materials between buildings on a continguous campus, the material must be placed in a leak-proof container and secondarily contained within another leak proof container and transported on a cart.
Shipping Hazardous Materials
Shipping hazardous materials requires specific training as outlined by the university Hazardous Materials Shipping Plan. The plan can be found at the link below.
Hazardous Materials Shipping Plan
Spill Prevention, Controls, and Coutnermeasures (SPCC)
SPCC is a part of the Clean Water Act that is primarily targeted at reducing the amount of petroleum and petroleum-like substances that reach the waterways of the state. Large containers of these substances present the most risk, so SPCC plans are made to demonstrate how large containers (55 gallons or greater) are inspected, maintained and repaired as well as how container failures that lead to releases (spills) are addressed.
Employees that work in areas where these materials exist in sufficient volume are required to be trained. If you are unsure whether or not this applies to you, contact EHS for assistance.
Water
Water quality issues are broadly put into two categories: drinking/domestic water and wastewater. The campus community is affected by the quality of domestic water and the campus community can affect the condition of waste water. This is explained in more detail below.
Domestic/Drinking Water
Domestic/drinking water at the University of 蜜桃导航 is supplied by 蜜桃导航 Light, Gas, and Water (MLGW). Shelby county and the city of 蜜桃导航 has some of the best drinking water in the nation due to the supply. The annual drinking water quality report from MLGW can be accessed by clicking .
Some buildings on campus are required to report the water quality in the water fountains periodically. Those reports can be found by clicking on the building below.
Hudson Health Center (coming soon)
Wastewater
The only wastewater generated on the university campus is stormwater. More information about stormwater is given below.
What is stormwater?
Stormwater runoff occurs when precipitation from rain or snow melt flows over the ground. Impervious surfaces like driveways, sidewalks, and streets prevent stormwater from naturally soaking into the ground.
Why is stormwater runoff a problem?
Stormwater can pickup debris, chemicals, dirt, and other pollutants and carry them into a storm sewer system, directly to a lake, stream, river, or wetland. Primary concerns for the campus community involve trash that makes its way to storm drains, then on to fresh water sources, and erosion due to construction, which carry or track mud onto roads and sidewalks.
The Effects of Pollution
Polluted stormwater runoff can have many adverse effects on plants, fish, animals,
and people.
- Sediment can cloud water.
- Excess nutrients can cause algae blooms.
- Bacteria and other pathogens can wash into swimming areas.
- Debris - plastic bags, six-pack rings, bottles, and cigarette butts - washed into waterways can choke, suffocate, or disable wildlife.
How can you help?
Everyone can help make a difference. Here are some things that you can do to make an impact.
- Inform EHS if you see a problem with waste, erosion or chemicals.
- Carry a litter bag in your car to collect waste.
- Dispose of litter in proper containers.
- Recycle motor oil. Maintain your car to prevent leaks.
- Wash your car at the car wash or on the lawn instead of the driveway.
- Do not use storm drains to dispose of liquid waste.
- During landscaping cover bare soil with mulch or hay and plant early.
- Do not clear cut vegetation on or near stream banks.
- Place rocks or shrubs on slopes to slow water and prevent erosion.
Stormwater Program Information
蜜桃导航 Stormwater Program is administered by Physical Plant. The primary point of contact is the Sustainability Manager, Amelia Mayahi. Her contact information is below:
Amelia Mayahi
Sustainability Manager, Physical Plant
蜜桃导航
201 Ray Herzog Building
蜜桃导航, TN 38152
901.678.5543