Hazardous
Waste Disposal Program
Classification and Segregation of Hazardous Chemical Waste
Containment and Storage of Hazardous Chemical Waste
1. A material becomes "waste" when the individual generator determines that it is no longer useful and should be discarded. A material is "hazardous chemical waste" if it listed in the Federal
Regulations(40CFR, Subpart D) or it meets the definition of one of the following:
2. Hazardous chemicals can be treated to reduce the hazard or the quantity of waste in the laboratory if the treatment procedure is included in the experimental protocol.
3. Empty compressed gas cylinders should be returned to the manufacturer or distributor whenever possible. Non-returnable cylinders should be labelled as hazardous waste.
4. "Mixed Waste" (includes both radioactive material and hazardous chemicals) should be initially routed through EHSD.
5. Chemical waste whose identity is unknown will be picked up by EHSD; however, generators will be charged for the cost of the analysis necessary to determine the chemical identity for proper disposal. In such cases, use "unknown" for the chemical description on the disposal tag.
For additional information about hazardous or non-hazardous chemicals, contact the Environmental Safety Health Department, 845-2132.
1. Hazardous chemical waste is categorized into the following hazard classes:
2. Different classes of hazardous chemical waste must not to be co-mingled in the same waste container. Do not combine inorganic heavy metal compounds and organic waste solvents. Do not combine non-hazardous waste (e.g., a mixture of water, dilute acetic acid, and sodium bicarbonate) with hazardous chemical waste, since this then requires that the entire container of otherwise non-hazardous waste be treated as hazardous waste.
3. Dry material (paper, rag, towels, gloves, Kim-Wipes, etc.) That is contaminated with flammable or extremely toxic chemicals must be treated as hazardous chemical waste.
4. Sharps (needles, razor blades, etc.) must be encapsulated (Place the sharps in a "puncture resistant" container or a plastic/metal container, and then fill it with paraffin or plaster of Paris.). Discard the containers of encapsulated sharps as non-hazardous trash.
1. Individual waste generators (i.e.,teaching and research laboratories) must assure that their hazardous chemical wastes are accumulated in safe, transportable containers and are stored properly to prevent human exposure or environmental release to the waste materials.
2. Containers must be closed or sealed to prevent leakage.
3. Waste generators must use waste containers that are compatible with the chemical contents (i.e., do not use metal containers for corrosive waste or plastic containers for organic solvents). Containers must be in good condition and not leak. All containers must have suitable screw caps or other means of secure closure.
4. Never overfill hazardous waste containers. Expansion and excess weight can lead to spills, explosions, and extensive environmental exposure.
All waste collection containers must be kept closed, except when adding or removing material.
1. The original chemical label on containers used for waste accumulation must be destroyed or defaced.
2. EPA regulations require that waste containers be labeled with the accumulation start date, content identity, and the words "Hazardous Waste" when the chemical waste is first added.
3. Using string, attach a completed Hazardous Waste Disposal Tag (available from the Chemistry Business Office, Room 119) to each new waste container when the first chemical is added.
Print the information on the tag legibly.
A. It is illegal to dispose of hazardous chemicals in any of the following ways:
B. Empty chemical containers may be disposed with other non-hazardous trash, provided that the following requirements are satisfied. EPA regulations stipulate that an empty chemical containermust:
C. It is not necessary to break empty glass containers when placing them in a dumpster. Empty chemical containers not handled in this manner must be treated as hazardous chemical waste (very expensive).
D. EHSD will not pickup containers with improper caps, leaks, outside contamination, or improper labeling.
E. The Chemistry Department maintains a hazardous chemical waste satellite accumulation area in Room 001G. The hours that this room is open to accept hazardous waste deliveries change periodically and are posted on the door to the room, as well as on the "Safety Information" bulletin board adjacent to Room 124. When hazardous waste containers are full or ready for disposal, the tagged container(s) should be brought to Room 001G during the designated waste receiving hours. After the staff member in the room confirms that they are properly labeled, the containers will be stored in Room 001G and await collection by EHSD.
Follow the example below to properly complete hazardous waste disposal tags:
Attach a separate Hazardous Waste Disposal Tag to each waste container
Both upper and lower sections of the tag must be filled out completely and legibly.(This information is essential for record keeping).
Secure the top part of the tag to the container with a string that encircles the top of the container. Rubber bands, tape, and wire are not acceptable.
**The "REQUESTOR" is the Principal Investigator or supervisor in charge of the laboratory that generated the waste.
** For "CHEMICAL(S)," indicate the complete chemical and/or common name(s). Chemical formulas or abbreviations are not acceptable.
** List all of the chemical components in a waste container (including water). Lists may be continued on the back of the tag.
** Tags for containers of potentially explosive materials such as picric acid, silanes, nitro compounds, and ethers must indicate the percentage concentrations of these chemicals.
Place any additional hazard information about the container's contents in "REMARKS."
HAZARDOUS WASTE DISPOSAL TAG
REQUESTOR :
DEPT/PART :
PHONE :
CHEMICAL(S):
HAZARDOUS WASTE DISPOSAL TAG
ACCUMULATION START DATE :
REQUESTOR :
DEPT/PART :
BLDG.NAME & NO :
ROOM NO. PHONE :
CHEMICAL(S) :
PHYSICAL PROPERTY : Liquid Solid Gas
Other
QUANTITY : Pint Quart Gallon 5-Gallon
Other
CONTAINER TYPE: Glass Metal
Other
REACTS WITH: None Air Water
Other
HAZARDS: Flammable Explosive Carcinogen
Toxic Corrosive Other
REMARKS:
The U.S. Congress has made waste minimization a national policy and the goal of each waste generator. The following practices will help to reduce the volume and toxicity of hazardous waste, benefitting everyone's health and safety, protecting the environment, and reducing disposal costs:
Substitute - Use non-hazardous or less toxic materials in your process, e.g., (1) use "No-Chromix", detergents, or enzymatic cleaners instead of chromic acid; or (2) use non-hazardous scintillation cocktails instead of xylene or toluene based cocktails.
Scale Down - Take a look at your process. Micro techniques will decrease the amount of solvent or reagent needed, thus decreasing the amount of waste generated.
Recycle - If you have reagents that are no longer needed, ask your colleagues if they may find them useful. Redistill your solvents when possible.
Neutralize - Chemically neutralize dilute acids and bases not contaminated by other chemicals in the lab to reduce their hazard.
Manage - Purchase only the amount of chemical actually needed for the experiment. Dispose of old reagents that are no longer needed. Keep track of the chemical inventory. When purchasing new equipment or developing new experiments, keep the type of waste generated in mind.
Training - Train everyone in waste minimization practices and correct waste disposal procedures.
