Chemical Waste is defined as solid, liquid and gaseous, hazardous chemicals, as well as wastes contaminated with hazardous chemicals. Examples include:

  • Chemical reagents no longer needed
  • Chemicals with shelf life expired
  • Waste oils
  • Waste solvents
  • Hazardous chemical spill cleanups
  • Materials with hazardous chemical contamination
  • Unknown chemicals
  • Oil-based paints and related substances
  • Pesticides
  • PCB items (transformers, capacitors, ballasts manufactured before 1978)
  • Batteries
  • Compressed gases

Packaging Guidelines

If DiscardingThen
Hazardous chemical in original container
  1. Confirm identity.
  2. If still useful see Recyclable Waste. If not, complete an EEM Hazardous Waste Label, attach it to the container and place in Satellite Accumulation Area (S.A.A.).
Liquid organic hazardous waste
  1. Use empty, clean glass container with screw cap. Separate non-halogenated from halogenated and mixed solvents, if possible.
    NOTE: Do not put corrosive or reactive materials with solvents. If corrosives can't be avoided, be sure to neutralize or destroy reactive component.
  2. Fill out an EEM Hazardous Waste Label appropriately and attach it to the container and place container in Satellite Accumulation Area (S.A.A.).
Aqueous waste
  1. If strong inorganic acid or base (2>pH>12) and no other hazardous constituents, dilute, neutralize (4<pH<10) and dispose down the drain.
  2. Use empty, clean, compatible container, with screw cap, i.e., for Hydrofluoric Acid, a plastic container is required.
  3. Fill out an EEM Hazardous Waste Label appropriately and attach it to the container and place container in Satellite Accumulation Area (S.A.A.).
Solid hazardous waste (including materials contaminated with hazardous materials/waste)
  1. Preferably use plastic container with screw cap. Glass OK. Double plastic bag if volume too large for jar.
  2. Fill out an EEM Hazardous Waste Label appropriately, attach it to the container, and place container in Satellite Accumulation Area (S.A.A.).
Unknown chemicals
  1. Find out as much as possible about the unknown from former lab occupants or principal lab investigator.
  2. Ensure that unknown is in screw-cap container.
  3. Complete an EEM Hazardous Waste Label stating Unknown ID.
Gaseous hazardous wastes
  1. Confirm that gas remains in cylinder, if possible.
  2. Remove all valves, gauges, etc.. Cap snugly.
  3. If lecture bottle, call EEM For all others, contact supplier for removal.