Blueprint for a Green Campus (2003 Update) 

Table of Contents | Summary | Climate-Friendly Campus | Growing Without Increasing Traffic | Safe/Healthy Campus | Consumption and Disposal Habits | 2002 Blueprint Update | 2001 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 during 2002-2003 and Upcoming Plans

Eight Action Steps towards UCB's waste minimization and pollution prevention programs were originally proposed in the Blueprint for a Green Campus issued in April 2000. Since that time, three Action Steps have been completed and five are ongoing. Additionally, the Environmental Health and Safety Center has made several other advancements towards waste minimization and management, pollution prevention, and resource savings, including participation in the campus-wide Environmental Council that was charged by Vice Chancellor for Administration Paul Tabolt (see summary and appendix).

Action Step: Institute a central chemical procurement system.
Current Status: The EH&S Chemical Management Specialist continues to consult with staff from CU's Procurement Service Center and others to explore a centralized chemical purchasing system.

Action Step: Further advance 'Best Management Practices' already adopted by many laboratories and shops to maximize safety and minimize waste. Completed.
Current Status: CU-Boulder served on a special commission sponsored and facilitated by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and comprised of Federal/State regulators and representatives from each of the 10 EPA regions across the nation. A report of the findings from the 'Best Practices' project was submitted to Congress and the EPA. The EPA was complimentary of the report and has adopted rule interpretations that are favorable to university laboratories, based upon the recommendations of the committee. The next step in this process is for the EPA to acknowledge the best practices procedures in well-defined regulations and guidance documents.

Action Step: Investigate the feasibility of applying an 'advanced disposal fee' to discourage bulk purchasing of chemicals. Completed.
Current Status: The application of an 'advanced disposal fee' has been explored; however it has been determined to be not feasible at this time. Factors involving customization of procurement procedures, journal entries, and inventory control must be further considered at a future date.

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: Microscaling efforts continue to be a consideration of faculty for teaching and research at UCB.

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

Action Step: Continue to utilize and expand treatment techniques at the EH&S facility to significantly decrease hazardous waste volumes.
Current Status: For the calendar year ending December 31, 2002, the treatment facility has processed 24,627 liters of materials (6,481 gallons, equal to 118 55-gallon drums). The treatment processes have facilitated the recovery of 3.406 kg (7.5 lbs.) of silver, and 20,741 liters (5,458 gallons) of water for return to the city wastewater treatment facility. Presently, EH&S is looking at metals removal from aqueous solutions as an option to expand the treatment facility processes, allowing a broader range of waste materials to be treated. Also, a new tank has recently been installed to allow for simultaneous treatment of wastes with the three existing processes in the treatment facility (photochemical silver recovery, acid/base neutralization, and organic ozone/UV oxidation). This will allow for increased amounts of waste to be treated and discharged and for increased savings from disposal costs in the future.

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.

Action Step: Establish a battery recycling program so that rechargeable and alkaline batteries are recovered for recycling.
Current Status: A study was completed during the past year to determine disposal requirements and the need for recycling alkaline batteries. Though most battery types are regulated and require proper disposal, alkaline batteries have been determined to be non-regulated and trash disposable. Laws prohibiting the production of alkaline batteries with added mercury have been in effect since 1993, and levels in current batteries are well below regulated levels. After consultations with the State, and analyses of samples of alkaline batteries by an independent laboratory and the consideration of cost analyses, it was determined that recycling of alkaline batteries on Campus is not feasible at this time. The existing battery recycling program within the Hazardous Materials Group has been expanded to include campus drop-off sites, which make proper disposal (recycling) of batteries easier for all campus departments (for an updated list of sites around Campus, call 303-492-7845).

Additional Progress by Environmental Health and Safety

• As of February 2003, the EH&S chemical inventory management pilot has been successfully tested and is ready to be implemented as a fully operational system. Once EH&S has installed a new dedicated server, the program will be ready for widespread campus and outside agency use. Campus staff will be able to access the system for:
  • A one-stop chemical hazard database that provides a vast array of information about chemicals, e.g., physical properties, safety and parameters, toxicological information, and spill cleanup protocol, etc.
  • Laboratory managers will also have the ability to quickly update and edit their own chemical inventories. Special attention was given to make the program user-friendly, and, most important, secure with password protection.
  • EH&S, as well as outside emergency responders, e.g., Boulder Fire Department, will access the database through special passwords to assist them in knowing what chemicals are on campus and where they are located, providing better knowledge in the event of an emergency.
• The EH&S Chemical Management specialist was effective in acquiring new chemical storage cabinets, primarily in the Chemistry Department, to provide additional chemical security as well as to bolster pollution prevention measures.
• EH&S is has published and distributed the Generators' Guide to Hazardous Material/ Waste Management. The new booklet has several improvements, including comprehensive biowaste management procedures and a simplified Emergency Action Plan, in an improved, easier-to-use, format.
• UCB essentially completed the identification and labeling of all interior and storm water drains on the main and east campuses. Turf and grassy areas are expected to be marked during the summer of 2003. Additional detail included under Facilities Management Progress below.
• EH&S has completed implementation of most of its Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure Plan (SPCC) for above-ground petroleum tanks and emergency generators. This includes secondary containment, berms and spill prevention equipment. Full campus implementation is expected by June 2003. Additional detail included under Facilities Management Progress below.
• Last year, a pilot program, funded primarily by a water conservation project, installed six new specialized vacuum pumps in Ekeley and Cristol Chemistry that replaced water aspirators used to distill solvents. Based upon the success of this pilot program, UCB will be installing several more new vacuum pumps to replace the wasteful aspirators. The obsolete water aspirators waste millions of gallons of water per year, cause sanitary sewer violations and the threat of potential fines, and cause concern among building occupants about odor and health issues. These issues will be successfully mitigated once the installation of the vacuum pumps is completed. This project is now able to be expanded campus-wide. Any one still using water aspirators are urged to contact Moe Tabrizi, at the UC-Boulder Energy Conservation Office. Additional detail included under Facilities Management Progress below.
• UCB strives to comply with, and, in most cases, exceed the new EPA regulations for storm water management and permit requirements. The Boulder Campus began implementing storm water management programs and practices more than 20 years ago to control and eliminate sources of water pollutants. UCB has developed and maintained a number of aggressive storm water management programs, placing UCB in a position of environmental leadership.

Additional Progress by Facilities Management

• $1500 funded for removal of Vinyl Asbestos Tile (VAT) in Porter. There was about 800 sq. ft removed in JILA in January of this year. Not aware of any other large projects for this fiscal year.
• Aspirator-type (water-wasting) vacuum devices in Cristol are being replaced with vacuum pumps. This eliminates the entrained chemicals in the water being wasted - and eliminates waste of potable water for these applications (which is another environmental benefit). Also mentioned above under EH&S progress.
• Environmental Services currently reviewing and rating all cleaners and disinfectants used by custodians based on toxicity. This is an ongoing project; To date, 206 cleaners have been reviewed and ranked.
• 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.
• Several cooling tower and outdoor fountain drains have been re-routed to sanitary sewer at a cost of $15,000.
• Fluid labs in Engineering were also re-piped to sanitary sewers at a cost of $40,000.
• Continued progress on storm drain stenciling project. To date 90% of all 'hardscape' drains have been labeled, with Euclid and Regent Autoparks being the exceptions. A plan is currently being devised for storm drains located in turf or other landscape areas. The most current Storm Drainage project completed last summer, has incorporated the use of manhole covers that have the "dispose no waste drains to creek" right in the castings. We also are working on including these covers in our Construction Standards.
• Currently working on more complete mapping of drain network and emergency contingency plans. This involves linking catch basins to the next manhole in the system and then to the next outfall to the creek. The primary use of this will be to trace a pollution stream back to the source but can also be used to determine where a pollutant will enter the creek. Work continues on the data bases associated with catch basins, outclass, and manholes.
• Funded a manhole audit to determine condition of existing manholes and inlets; $12,500 for sanitary and $20,000 for storm. This project also includes working with the city to create a uniform numbering system that can be used by both entities. We are currently are done with the Sanitary manholes and are planning to be done with the Storm manholes by the end of April. We have also identified certain catch basins that need initial cleaning and are seeking funding to get these cleaned this summer.
• $20,000 funded in FY01/02 to implement campus Spill Containment and Control Plan (SCCP) for all above ground gas tanks and diesel generators. Includes purchase of emergency spill containment equipment as well as installation of permanent berms around tanks. Future funding will look to replace certain old tanks/generators with newer double-wall tanks. Projects complete to date include: 1. Generator at Stadium replaced w/ new double wall tank. 2. Poorly designed fill station at Muenzinger removed completely. Pipe leading from fill station and tank excavated and removed. Construction of spill containment berm for Physical Plant emergency generators and Engineering S. generator currently underway. Additional $7,000 funded in FY03 (total of $27,000) for replacement of tank at IBG from single- to double-wall. This is not required by the current SCCP regulations but was deemed appropriate due to the proximity of the IBG tank to the Boulder Creek. All SCCP projects scheduled to be complete by 6/1/03.
• Members of the Physical Plant attended annual refresher SCCP refresher course presented by EH&S on 2/11/03.
• $35,000 funded in FY01/02 to install CFC monitors in RL-3 and Education chiller rooms. Previously installed Engineering monitor also repaired with this money. Refrigeration shop has identified 8 other chiller rooms needing monitors. Temporarily postponed due to budget cuts.
• Currently working with State on voluntary CFC audit of campus to assure complete compliance with CFC regulations. All of our chillers are now registered with the state and all fees are current.
• The refrigeration shop has also created a tracking system for use and releases of CFC's. All contractors have been notified about the requirements we have established for the tracking of their work as well.

Additional Progress by the Housing Department:

• All Housing-owned unwanted or malfunctioning computer equipment is inventoried through Housing IT. If it requires disposal, it is then sent to Property Services. In February '03, Property Services notified all departments that the sale of unwanted computer equipment through pallet auctioning would no longer be possible, and that there will be a per item fee to process all computer equipment. Housing will be looking into the feasibility of leasing computer equipment to see if we can approach cost-neutrality by avoiding disposal fees. We will also be asking Housing's Residence Hall Association (RHA) if they would be interested in surveying residents to determine if there is a need for a student computer disposal program.
• Housing is evaluating all cleaning products used in its six kitchens for acute or chronic toxicity. Hazardous products are currently being identified. More user- and environmentally-friendly substitutes will be tested by kitchen staff for their acceptability and suitable performance. These substitutes will then become the standard for all the kitchens, and for some applications in housekeeping.
• Housing is working with EH&S towards converting approximately eight remaining floor drain connections. Currently, these connections route to the storm sewer yet need to route to the sanitary sewer.
• Dining and Housekeeping staff have been informed of all stormwater regulations that prohibit all treated water from entering a stormsewer, i.e., they may no longer rinse off equipment at back docks or on any hardscape.
• All spent fluorescent lamps containing mercury are disposed of by Facilities Management through an EPA-approved lamp crusher, designed to capture the mercury vapor.
• All batteries generated by Housing Services-i.e., those from cell phones, palm pilots, hand-held tools and smoke detectors in Family Housing-are collected from the Housing Maintenance Service Center by EH&S for proper disposal.
• A new battery-free flashlight is being used in Housing Services. The user generates electrical energy by shaking the flashlight, which has a generator and capacitor to store the energy. It is expected to save approximately $40 in batteries per year per flashlight, with a payback period of less than one year.

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 during 2002-2003

Facilities Management is active with the following efforts:

• Physical Plant pursued an additional FTE to be split between structural IPM and the Integrated Weed Management (IWM) program. This was abandoned due to budget cuts.
• Grounds experimented with use of Cashmere goats to graze noxious weeds on 12 acres at Research Park (4/00, 11/00). Goats were again used on the Research Park in Dec. of '01 for the control of knapweed, and various thistles. Grazing was again used at the Research Park in June of '02, adding a new section to the routine. Goats were also used for the first time on the South Campus in July of '02. We are hopeful to complete a three year cycle of grazing at the Research Park this Spring as well as continuing grazing on the south campus. This will be dependent on funding.
• Additional releases of seed-head and root-feeding insects were conducted on both the Research Park and South Campus properties in the summer of '01. No further releases were conducted by Grounds in '02 but research projects under Professor Tim Seastedt continue at both the research park and South Campus. The Grounds division hopes to release more bugs this season.
• Division took lead in drafting campus IPM Policy currently under review by the Administration. Policy adopted campus wide 3/12/02. "Threshold Action Levels" determine appropriate treatment that is: Least hazardous to human health; Least damaging to the environment; Effective in controlling the pest; Has minimal negative impacts to non-target organisms; Within available resources All proposed pesticide applications reviewed & approved by coordinator. Only "Qualified Supervisors" have authority to purchase pesticides.
• Funded roughly $10,000 in Deferred Maintenance monies for the commencement of parasitic wasp releases in certain research labs in the Ramaley biology building. The release of over 16,000 wasps, Anastatus teuipes and Comperia merceti, will occur from March 18th to July 14th with subsequent monitoring through the end of October.
• In Aug. of '02 the Grounds division established 34 different turf test plots. The purpose of the test plots was to test alternatives to synthetic herbicides used for dandelion control. A post emergent herbicide made of sugar beets (Nature's Weed Control�), and Corn Gluten Meal, a pre-emergent herbicide, were applied on the majority of the test plots. Several test plots received only cultural techniques while 2 of the plots received a synthetic herbicide treatment.
• On 4/4/03 Corn Gluten Meal applications were repeated on the original test plots. Nature's Weed Control will also be applied in early May to all original test plots.
• The Grounds Turf Manager will be experimenting with the use of organic fertilizers on certain fields across campus over the next year.

Housing has made the following progress in reducing chemical and pesticide use.

• Housing is in the second year of a three-year protocol of using a corn gluten meal pre-emergent control on weedy areas of turf, and a slow-release, alfalfa-based fertilizer. Cultural practices are also being modified so that grass is mown to a taller height, and watering is done at the most optimum time of day, as well as in the most optimum amounts (the feeling being Housing has been over-watering much of its grounds in prior years; clearly, the drought is going to have an impact on this aspect of the program). The objective is to reduce the spread of dandelions and other visible weeds in turf areas, and to build soil health so that the turf is more able to out-compete weeds.
• A vinegar and soap solution is being used on weeds in sidewalk and asphalt cracks with good success. Housing has not applied pesticides in over 10 years.

Progress toward Improving Indoor Air Quality during 2002-2003

Facilities Management has made the following progress on improving ventilation and controlling indoor air pollution sources.

• Environmental Services has phased 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. Environmental Services has reduced the total number of vacuums needed by moving toward a "team cleaning" concept. At this point all vacuums used (55-60 total) are backpack vacuums capable of filtering out 99.99% of particles less than or equal to 0.3 microns.
• Performing minor upgrades to campus ventilation systems such as balancing and improving ventilation of fume hoods, removing obstructions, and improving make-up air. Funded $12,000 in FY01/02 for fume hood balancing as needed. Completed $4,000 in work and returned additional $8,000. Additional $12,000 funded in 02/03 in order to complete work.
• Funded $35,000 in FY01/02 for significant improvement to Fine Arts duct work and ventilation system including removal of unused fume hoods, improving fans, lowering of exhaust drops to sit directly over emissions sources, and adding exhaust vents to photo lab hazardous waste SAA. Project will be wrapped up by 6/1/03.
• Performed 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). No major projects this year but effort will continue.
• $2.3 million project in Chemical Engineering is 75% complete. $80,000 funded in FY 01/02 for improvements to Ramaley cadaver room ventilation system. Repairs completed but seem ineffective. Further action necessary.
• Environmental Services currently reviewing and rating all cleaners and disinfectants used by custodians based on toxicity. This is an ongoing project. To date, 206 cleaners have been reviewed and ranked.
• Purchase and use of low/no VOC paints, finishes, and adhesives. Ongoing.
• All outside-air intake louvers have been retrofitted with outside screens which makes them easier to keep clean, thus not reducing the amount of fresh air that can be brought into the buildings.
• Retrofitted of Regent 3rd floor ventilation system complete to correct inadequate airflow in early 2003. Replaced 2 air handling units and a chiller.

Next Steps and Discussion Topics

• Conduct education about campus IPM policy and procedures: To promote preventative measures and awareness of the campus IPM program, the Environmental Center developed and distributed fact sheet fliers for lab, kitchen and office areas. There is a strong need to develop additional materials educating campus users about IPM efforts and procedures. Plans are underway to print a general brochure. Other outreach and education services could include presentations to building users, building displays, and appropriate signage posted in outdoor areas. An IPM education plan should be developed after determining the best outreach means.
• Implement the IPM policy and procedures: As laid out in the policy, duties and responsibilities are to be assigned to and enacted by various campus departments, personnel, and contractors. All departments are to utilize integrated pest management methods.
• Restrict the use of the most harmful pesticides and chemicals: Although the pest control policy outlines IPM criteria, it does not specifically limit the more harmful pesticide applications which include the use of pesticides in aquatic areas, the use of persistent chemicals which pose a long term threat after application or which bio-accumulate in fatty tissue, and the use of compounds in EPA toxicity categories I and II. Initial review of potential chemicals should begin with the least toxic compounds, i.e. chemicals in EPA Toxicity Categories III and IV. The use of compounds in EPA Categories I and II should be avoided if possible or used as baits or soil/trunk injections where exposure to the active ingredient is limited. The Campus Environmental Council could consider strengthening the policy.
• Address future plans for outdoor integrated pest management to safely and effectively control broadleaf weeds: In June of 2003, an herbicide application occurred on selected campus grounds to control a significant dandelion outbreak. The herbicide contained 2,4-D which is a suspected carcinogen. It is not clear how the criteria laid out in the IPM policy were applied in this case. An article with more details can be found in the environmental center September 2003 newsletter.
• Establish registry of chemically-sensitive campus individuals.