Blueprint for a Green Campus (2001 Update) 

Table of Contents | Introduction | Climate-Friendly Campus | Growing Without Increasing Traffic | Safe/Healthy Campus | Consumption and Disposal Habits | 2002 Blueprint Update | Original Blueprint  

Creating a Safe and Healthy Campus

Part I: Minimizing Hazardous Waste

The Vision

• CU reduces the amount of hazardous waste generated by the campus while maintaining the quality and quantity of research.
• CU continues to advance pollution prevention programs to reduce the quantity of hazardous material present on campus and to promote a safer working and learning environment.

Progress within the Past Year and Upcoming Plans

To augment CU Boulder’s current waste minimization and pollution prevention programs, the Blueprint for a Green Campus proposed eight action steps towards minimizing hazardous wastes. For each step, the current status as of March 2001 is described.

Action Step: Based on a feasibility study, institute a central chemical procurement system which would allow for:

• More permanent and detailed labeling (possibly with barcodes)
• Better ability to redistribute surplus chemicals
• Competitive prices which may result in less bulk purchasing of large quantities of chemicals when only small amounts are necessary
• Information on the substitution of alternative, safer chemicals at time of purchase
• Information to track and inventory hazardous materials on campus

Current Status: Starting in fiscal year 2000-01, Chancellor Byyny funded a Chemical Management Specialist position within Environmental Health and Safety’s (EHS) Environmental Compliance unit. This position is focused on collaborative efforts including the collection of chemical inventories, establishing a broader chemical redistribution system and exploring the feasibility and possible structure of a central chemical procurement program. Recruitment for this position was completed in February 2001 and that same month the Chemical Management Specialist met with staff from CU’s Procurement Service Center to begin exploring a centralized system.

Action Step: Further advance ‘Best Management Practices’ already adopted by many laboratories and shops to maximize safety and minimize waste.

Current Status: This year CU-Boulder was asked to serve on a special commission sponsored and facilitated by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. The commission is comprised of Federal/State regulators and representatives from each of the 10 EPA regions across the nation and will propose ‘Consensus Best Practices,’ for educational institutions.

Staff at CU-Boulder’s Environmental Health and Safety division (representing EPA Region 8) hope this collaborative effort will result in better understanding of hazardous materials regulations, a fuller adoption of improved laboratory safety practices and more appropriately focused environmental stewardship efforts. Plans for sharing and enforcing these best practices to campus labs and shops need to be prioritized.

Action Step: Investigate the feasibility of applying an ‘advanced disposal fee’ to discourage bulk purchasing of chemicals.

Current Status: No direct progress has been made on this step within the past year. If a centralized procurement system is implemented, it too would help to discourage bulk purchasing. The concept, structure, and applicability of an advanced disposal fee will be discussed at future procurement centralization meetings.

Action Step: Further advance microscaling efforts. (Microscaling involves conducting experiments on a smaller scale thus reducing the quantity of hazardous substances use in experiments, manufacturing, and routine cleaning.)

Current Status: Many microscale experimentation efforts have proven successful and are in practice within Chemistry and other UCB departments. It is unknown how many labs currently practice microscaling and how many could do so. The Hazardous Materials Advisory Board should review areas of possible expansion at a meeting spring/summer 2001. A review of teaching labs that use chemicals should be conducted to determine the extent to which microscale experimentation is being used on campus.

Action Step: Install new treatment options and technology at new EH&S facility which will significantly decrease hazardous waste volumes.

Current Status: A new waste treatment area within the Environmental Health and Safety Center is currently being equipped with state of the art waste treatment facilities initially aimed at silver recovery and organic waste ozone/UV oxidization. It is expected that active waste treatment can begin in late spring/early summer of 2001.

Action Step: Add a waste treatment specialist to the EH&S staff to run the waste treatment process and advise on waste minimization techniques.

Current Status: In fall 2000 a waste treatment specialist position was established within EH&S. That position has been filled and the staff member is currently overseeing the installation of treatment equipment at the Environmental Health and Safety Center.

Action Step: Reduce photographic chemical waste by utilizing new technologies and procedures.

Current Status: In 1997, digital photo labs were established within UCB’s Fine Arts and Publications Departments. These labs have proved a success both academically and environmentally and have significantly reduced the volume of photographic wastes generated on Campus. However, because photographic wastes still represent approximately twenty percent of hazardous waste volumes collected, one of EH&S’ key treatment programs specifically targets these types of wastes and will render them non-hazardous. As noted above, we hope to see the treatment room completed and in operation by late Spring/early Summer of 2001.

Action Step: Establish a battery recycling program so that rechargeable and alkaline batteries are recovered for recycling.

Current Status: In March 2000 EH&S proposed a battery recycling program to Environmental Center and Recycling Department staff. Since then, EH&S and the Environmental Center have completed an initial concept program. The Hazardous Material Group are eager to pursue this program but are currently focused on establishing the treatment area and training two new staff members. We hope to see progress towards establishing a pilot program by December 2001. Funding for a battery program will need to be pursued in the meantime.

Additional Progress by Housing

In addition to the above progress on the proposed action steps, the Department of Housing has made the following progress toward the vision to minimize hazardous waste. Housing completed in 2000, and will complete by the end of June 2001, several projects aimed at pollution prevention. These projects are described below.

Connecting Storm Sewer to Sanitary Sewer

Floor drains in mechanical rooms in Libby, Cheyenne-Arapaho, Arnett, and Buckingham were re-routed from the storm sewer to the City of Boulder’s sanitary sewer as the first in a series of these types of connections. Six additional buildings are scheduled to be re-routed in 2001-02.

Snow Melt

Housing converted from a 100% sodium chloride-based snow melt to a less corrosive and lower alkaline blend of sodium, calcium, potassium, and magnesium chlorides. This new product–Meltdown Beneath Zero–also contains other minerals that buffer the effects of sodium chloride on vegetation.

Cleaning Agents

Housekeeping has converted to a new line of cleaning products, which are less toxic and corrosive. Additionally, the guesswork of estimating the correct dilution ratios has been eliminated through the installation of central mixing stations. This conversion was made in December of 2000, so data on how this system has reduced chemical usage are not currently available. This system is, however, expected to significantly reduce the amount of cleaning agent purchased.

Housekeeping is experimenting with a new type of cleaning rag made by 3M, which, due to the fiber and the weave, cleans without needing any cleaning chemical–just water is needed. If Housekeeping tests and approves this rag, this will further reduce the amount of cleaning chemicals used.

Fluorescent Lamp Disposal

All spent fluorescent lamps containing mercury (those that are not green-tipped) are disposed of by Facilities Management through an EPA-approved lamp recycler.

Asbestos and Lead Paint Abatement

All projects are assessed for the potential of encountering asbestos and lead paint. Environmental Health and Safety is contracted when a project is identified as requiring abatement. In 2000-01, approximately 350 crawl spaces in Family Housing units were abated for asbestos-insulated pipe.

Additionally, 3 units with ceilings and floor tile containing asbestos were abated at Newton Court. In 2001-02, Housing will develop a five-year plan to abate all 292 units at Newton Court, at an estimated cost of $2,000,000.

All of the units at Family Housing, with the exception of the Extension Buildings (five older homes near Athens Court), are free of lead paint. It has not been determined that the Extension Buildings require abatement for lead. If, however, they do require abatement, they will most likely be torn down or deconstructed due to their ages, and new units built in their place.

Additional Progress by Facilities Management

Facilities Management has reported the following progress toward reducing hazardous waste and advancing pollution prevention on campus.

• Installation of state-of-the-art membrane filtration waste water treatment plant at Mountain Research Station. The $1 million system utilizes a combination of membrane filtration and U.V. decontamination. The plant will be commissioned May 2001.
• Continue to research and implement use of less toxic paints, finishes, and adhesives for use by the East and West zones as well as the paint and Carpentry Shops.
• Environmental Services currently reviewing and rating all cleaners and disinfectants used by custodians based on toxicity. Environmental Services is actively testing new, grain-based cleaners.
• Storm water drain assessment completed by Physical Plant. Rerouted worst five illicit storm drain connections to sanitary sewer, including drains in Engineering, Duane Physics, and Chemistry.
• Continued progress on storm drain stenciling project.
• Currently working on more complete mapping of drain network and emergency contingency plans.

Part II: Minimizing Exposure to Toxic Chemicals and Pesticides

The Vision

• CU significantly reduces the use of harmful chemicals and volatile pesticides in buildings and grounds management through integrated pest management.
• Campus buildings provide high indoor air quality through improved ventilation and control of indoor air pollution sources.

Progress toward Integrated Pest Management

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) has become the main means of controlling indoor and outdoor pests on campus. From ants and cockroaches to dandelions and pigeons, CU is on the leading edge of reducing the use of harmful chemicals and volatile pesticides in buildings and grounds management through integrated pest management.

Facilities Management has made the following progress toward Integrated Pest Management:

• Environmental Services hired a permanent IPM technician in April 2000. Position focuses on least-toxic pest control with the least potential for exposure to humans and the environment.
• Eliminated spraying in all general fund spaces as well as auxiliary spaces using in-house IPM service.
• Grounds crew discontinued annual spring spraying of Elm trees for Elm Bark Beetle, the vector for Dutch elm disease. Moved to sanitation pruning and routine inspections of trees.
• Last spring, grounds did not routinely spray campus lawns to control dandelions. Instead, a more intensive mowing regime was used for weed control.
• Grounds currently developing Integrated Weed Management plan for noxious weeds.
• Grounds experimenting with use of Cashmere goats to graze noxious weeds on 12 acres at Research Park (4/00, 11/00).
• Facilities’ Environmental Services took lead in drafting campus IPM Policy currently under review by the Administration.

Housing has contracted with Scott Harvey of Facilities Management to provide IPM services. This has enabled Housing to virtually eliminate the use of pesticides in all structural (indoor) applications. The "roach motel" type baits are the only form of pesticides that are still used. Initially, these baits were used to gain control over what was a moderate infestation. Now that control has been obtained, we will assess the possibility of removing some of the baits. It is important to note that despite the continued use of these baits, they are a vast improvement over freely migrating toxic sprays. Scott’s typical arsenal includes non-toxic bait, caulk, mice and rat traps, live traps, and carbon dioxide.

In 1990, the residents at Family Housing voted to volunteer pulling dandelions by hand in favor of applying pesticides. Since then, Housing has eliminated all applications of pesticides outside.

Upcoming Plans

Facilities Management and Housing both utilize Integrated Pest Management (IPM). A program is in place for most of campus, but there is a need for a comprehensive, flexible and workable policy to formalize the program as well as to improve education, outreach and communication efforts.

A proposed policy on Integrated Pest Management is currently under review by the Administration. (The draft is included at the end of this section.) This policy has the support of campus departments currently using IPM services. It is likely that a policy will be approved this spring.

Progress toward Improving Indoor Air Quality

Facilities Management taken the following actions toward improving indoor air quality (IAQ):

• FM Planning and Physical Plant participating on IAQ Response Team to react to indoor air quality concerns and complaints.
• Performing minor upgrades to campus ventilation systems such as balancing and improving ventilation of fume hoods, removing obstructions, and improving make-up air.
• Performing major upgrades to ventilation systems through deferred and controlled maintenance projects. These have included significant improvements in Chemistry (fume hoods), Imig Music (raising of fresh air intakes from street level), the Grounds Building (emissions exhaust system and HVAC improvements), and Environmental Design (raising of air intakes).
• Current plans or funding requests include a 3-phase, $2.3 million project in Chemical Engineering, an additional $1.5 million for improvements to ENVD, as well as planned improvements to Ramaley, Chemistry/Biochemistry, and Engineering.
• Review and rating of custodial cleaning supplies.
• Purchase and use of low/no VOC paints, finishes, and adhesives.
• Environmental Services has begun the process of phasing out the use of upright vacuum cleaners in lieu of more ergonomically correct canister and backpack vacuums that do not emit as many particulates into the air.

Additionally, Housing has made the following progress toward improving indoor air quality:

Many products that Housing Services uses in new projects and remodels–paints, glues, carpeting, cabinets, and furniture–can outgas volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) for many years. In 2001-02, Housing will develop a plan to familiarize project managers with "green" products and will develop a system for incorporating green products into project specifications.

At Family Housing, carbon monoxide detectors have been installed in every unit with a gas furnace. In 2000, approximately 260 detectors were installed.

 

DRAFT FOR REVIEW

Last updated 3/09/01

 

UCB CAMPUS POLICY

Topic: Integrated Pest Management

 

Date: April 4, 2001

Original_____ Rev _____

Approved by: Richard L. Byyny, M.D. Chancellor

Source: Vice Chancellor for Administration

Prepared by: IPM Committee

Distribution: VCA, VCAA, VCSA, all Deans, Department Chairs and Directors

 

Sections:

SCOPE

POLICY

DESIGNATION OF CAMPUS I.P.M. COORDINATOR

IMPLEMENTATION OF I.P.M. POLICY

I.P.M. METHODS TO BE INCORPORATED

NOTIFICATION OF PESTICIDE USAGE

RECORDKEEPING OF PESTICIDE APPLICATIONS

PESTICIDE PURCHASE, STORAGE AND DISPOSAL

CONTRACTS

 

1. SCOPE

This policy applies to University of Colorado at Boulder. The University of Colorado will provide in-house pest control services in addition to the option of using contractors.

Departments with an IPM liaison or managing contractors who monitor or treat pest problems will receive a copy of the campus Integrated Pest Management policy and IPM Manual. The liaison or contractor will return a signed statement to the IPM Coordinator certifying they have read and understand the policy and will comply, prior to any work being done for the University.

 

2. POLICY

A. It shall be the policy of the University to actively manage pests to:

Reduce any potential human health hazards;

Prevent loss or damage to University structures or property;

Maintain environments needed to conduct world-class research;

Enhance the quality of life for students, faculty, and staff;

Prevent pests from spreading in the community;

Prevent the spread of noxious weeds within natural landscapes.

B. For the purpose of reducing the use of toxic pesticides, it shall be the policy of the University to employ Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques, in the management of both structural and landscape pests.

C. For the purpose of this policy, IPM shall be defined as a coordinated decision-making process for managing pests that focuses on long-term prevention or suppression of pest populations while minimizing the impact to human health, the environment and non-target organisms, through the use of the least toxic control methods.

IPM is a cycle of monitoring, control and evaluation, and is a system of controlling pests that does not depend on automatic application of pesticides.

Where more than one pest control technique is available, the least toxic will be selected. Furthermore, priority will be given to non-chemical pest management techniques.

 

3. DESIGNATION OF CAMPUS I.P.M. COORDINATOR

The Department of Facilities Management Environmental Operations Manager has been designated the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Coordinator. Duties are as follows:

• Determine cost of implementing and maintaining the IPM program
• Develop funding strategies/resources for the program
• Serve as campus resource to other departments on IPM techniques
• Promotion and Education of IPM practices on campus
• Create a template for a standard IPM plan and distribute to departments
• Collect and review department plans for compliance with campus policy
• Prepare annual report for Chancellor’s office on status of the IPM program

 

4. IMPLEMENTATION OF I.P.M. POLICY

A. Departments shall participate in the University’s program by:

Designating departmental IPM liaisons

Identifying the types of pest problems specific to the Department

Identifying types and quantities of pesticides currently in use by the department

Providing annual reports on the department's efforts to implement the University IPM Policy.

B. Department IPM liaisons shall also oversee the adoption of a departmental IPM plan and the scheduling of pest control services for their sites.

C. The Department of Facilities Management IPM technicians shall be responsible for developing implementation plans for all general fund areas and those auxiliaries enlisting campus in-house services. The IPM Coordinator shall also review pest control plans proposed by contractors. Furthermore, any department that contracts with Facilities Management for their pest control services will not be required to do a separate annual report. This report will be included as part of the in-house service.

 

D. The IPM Coordinator shall assist the University by developing an IPM education and training program to educate the public and campus users about the IPM policy and principles of IPM. The education program will consist of individual and group staff trainings, working with campus and local newspapers, newsletters, campus e-memos, and an annual public presentation on campus IPM efforts.

 

5. IPM METHODS TO BE INCORPORATED

The IPM Coordinator shall oversee the creation of a campus IPM Manual.

IPM methods vary depending on each pest and the conditions. IPM programs place emphasis on preventive measures.

Pesticides will sometimes be used, but they will be used more safely, responsibly and effectively. Preferable applications of pesticides are in the form of baits, lures, injections, gels, and some granular forms.

Spraying will be considered as a last resort to controlling pests in emergency cases only. When necessary, the least toxic and relatively non-toxic alternatives will be used.

The three primary non-chemical methods used in IPM are cultural, biological, and mechanical, or physical, controls.

 

6. NOTIFICATION OF PESTICIDE USAGE

A. Any University department that uses any pesticide should comply with the following notification procedures:

Signs shall be posted at all entrances at least four days before application of the pesticide product and remain posted at least four days after application of the pesticide.

Standardized Signs shall contain the name and active ingredient of the pesticide product and a departmental contact person.

University departments using approved pesticidal baits shall not be required to post signs.

B. In the event of a perceived public health emergency, or to comply with worker safety requirements, and after consultation with Environmental Health & Safety and the IPM Coordinator, University departments may be allowed to apply a pesticide without providing a four-day advance notice.

C. Environmental Health and Safety shall maintain a website containing all pesticide application notifications.

 

7. RECORDKEEPING OF PESTICIDE APPLICATION

A. Each University department or contractor that uses pesticides shall provide a clean, legible record as required by the Colorado Department of Agriculture for any pesticide application, and supply this information to the IPM Coordinator.

B. The Environmental Services division of Facilities Management will serve as the record keeper for the program. Records will be maintained for a minimum of five years.

 

8. PESTICIDE PURCHASE, STORAGE AND DISPOSAL

 

A. Only Qualified Supervisors licensed with the State Department of Agriculture shall have authority to purchase pesticides

B. All pesticides shall be stored in accordance with Title 35, Article 10, Part 11 of the Colorado Department of Agriculture Rules & Regulations.

 

9. CONTRACTS

A. As of the effective date of this policy, when a University department enters into a new pest control contract or extends the term of an existing contract, the contract shall obligate the contractor to comply with provisions of this Section IX. This section shall not be construed to violate the terms of any existing University contracts as of its date of enactment.

B. The IPM Coordinator shall prepare a request for qualifications (RFQ) for all University pest control contracts. All potential bidders shall be required to respond to the RFQ.

C. Within one (1) year of the effective date of this policy, all University contracts with pesticide applicators shall be reopened for bidding, unless the terms of existing contracts dictate otherwise.