Hazardous Waste Collection Procedures

An important step in the chemical disposal sequence involves the temporary storage of waste at or near the point of generation. Except when single chemicals are accumulated for recycling or recovery, waste accumulation generally involves bulking several materials into one container. For example, compatible solvents and other organic liquids can be consolidated into the same collection container in the laboratory since they are later consolidated into 55 gal drums for transportation and disposal off-site.

Please adhere to the following guidelines for safe accumulation of chemical waste:

• Use the pre-labelled hazardous waste containers that are available from the Environmental Health and Safety Office.
• If you use your own container, it must have a cap that screws down securely (for liquids) and it must be labeled with the words "Hazardous Waste" and the name of the waste. Solid waste containers must have caps or covers that can be securely closed.
• Label containers with words that clearly identify the contents the FIRST time waste is put into them. Generic names like "Waste Organics" are acceptable, but keep in mind that a Waste Characterization Sheet (WCS) listing ALL of the chemical components must be filled out before the waste can be accepted for off-site disposal.
• Separate incompatible wastes streams. Separate aqueous and organic liquids when possible.
• Keep waste collection containers closed at ALL times during storage except when adding or removing waste. This is true for solids as well as liquids. Many containers, like beakers or flasks, for example, are not acceptable accumulation containers.
• Designate an area in your lab as a chemical waste accumulation area. Reserving a portion of a hood for this purpose is OK, so long as there is still enough work space and it doesn't effect the fume hood air flow.
• Remove full waste containers from the laboratory. Do not allow waste containers to accumulate in the hoods.

Hazardous waste accumulated in labs will be collected and consolidated or labpacked at SB-3 McGregory Hall. The following procedures will be followed for disposal and collection of hazardous waste:

• Fill out and sign a generator's Waste Characterization Form (WCS). All of the constituents of the waste material must be listed, especially the constituents that make it a hazardous waste. List all significant components and their concentrations or percentage of the whole. If the material is in solution, name the solvent(s). See the example that follows.
• Bring the waste and WCS to the SB-3 McGregory during window hours.

The waste will not be accepted if:

• It is not accompanied by a properly filled out WCS.
• It is not in the proper container with a proper label.

UNKNOWN WASTES WILL BE NOT ACCEPTED unless accompanied by an account (budget) code. The cost of analysis of the unknown waste will be charged to the generator.

Return to: Lab Waste FlowChart