Chemical Waste

Definition: Solid, liquid and gaseous hazardous chemicals as well as wastes contaminated with hazardous chemicals.Examples:

• 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

Hazardous chemical in original container

1. Confirm identity.
2. If still useful see Recyclable Waste. If not, complete an E.H.S. Hazardous Waste Label, attach it to the container and place in Satellite Accumulation Area (S.A.A.).

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 E.H.S. 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 E.H.S. 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 E.H.S. 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 E.H.S. 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 E.H.S. For all others, contact supplier for removal.