Hazardous Waste Disposal

Home Waste Management Hazardous Waste Disposal

A hazardous waste is any material, which is intended to be discarded, and which exhibits any of the following characteristics: Flammability, Corrosivity, Reactivity, or Toxicity. If you need more help determining if your waste is hazardous, refer to Hazardous Waste Determination and Classification Guidelines or call us at 9-3086.

• DO complete and attach an online hazardous waste tag immediately after adding the first drop of waste to a container.
• DO place the online waste tag in a plastic sleeve and affix to the waste container.
• DO store all hazardous wastes within secondary containment. Secondary containment can be a lab tray or a dishpan. It just needs to hold all of the materials in case of breakage or other accident. Provide separate secondary containment for incompatible materials.
• DO keep containers closed at all times with a tight fitting lid. The only time the container should be opened is when wastes are being added or removed. Store liquids in a screw capped container that will not leak if tipped over.
• DO select a container that is compatible with the type and amount of waste generated.
• DO select a hazardous waste accumulation area that is out of the way of normal activities but easily identifiable and safely accessible for EH&S staff.
• DO package hazardous waste contaminated sharps and other piercing objects in appropriate containers.
• DO keep container exteriors free from contamination. Wipe down the container if necessary.
• DO NOT mix wastes. For safety and to avoid excessive disposal fees, don't mix radioactive or medical wastes with hazardous waste and don't mix wastes with different hazard properties.
• DO NOT Overfill Containers. Containers with liquid wastes should be no more than 80% full.
• DO NOT pour hazardous wastes down the drain.
• DO NOT evaporate hazardous wastes in a fume hood.
• DO NOT accumulate hazardous wastes for more than 6 (six) months. A request to pick up the waste should be made in the online waste tag database when a container is full. A container not yet full can be held for up to 6 months.

Submit them for pickup in the online database. If your waste is properly packaged, then mark the container as ready for pick up and EH&S will be by to pick up your waste within a week.

To protect human health and the environment, hazardous wastes are strictly regulated. Failure to comply with hazardous waste regulations can result in significant criminal and civil penalties (such as fines of up to $25,000/day/violation) for the University and/or the perpetrator. Therefore, proper handling and identification of hazardous wastes is imperative.

Regulations and the safety of yourself and others, require that all persons generating or handling hazardous waste receive training. If you haven't been trained, or you need an update, contact us to find out about our next training sessions.