Chemical Waste Disposal
All forms of chemicals such as solvents, acid, bases, and laboratory chemicals must be disposed of through EHS when they are no longer needed or wanted by the user.
1. Definition of Hazardous Waste
The Environmental Protection Agency has defined hazardous waste by its general characteristics or by the material's specific technical name.
Waste exhibiting the following characteristics are considered hazardous;
- Ignitable
- Corrosive
- Reactive
- Toxic
Specifically identified by material technical name;
- Approximately 500 chemicals are specifically listed by EPA as hazardous waste
- California lists approximately 800 chemicals
2. Segregation and Commingling of Hazardous Waste
Avoid mixing different types of chemicals. If different chemical wastes are mixed together in a single container for disposal, the following segregation waste streams may be mixed together
Segregation Group |
Example |
| Flammable/Combustible solvents | acetone, xylene, methanol |
| Halogenated solvents | chloroform, methylene chloride |
| Nitrogenous hydrocarbon | trimethylamine, diisopropylamine |
| Sulfurous hydrocarbon | dimethylsulfoxide, dimethylsulfate |
| Mineral acid | hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid |
| Organic acid | trichloroacetic acid, formic acid, acetic acid |
| Bases | calcium oxide, sodium hydroxide |
| Aqueous solution | metal salts, ethidium bromide |
| Oils | vacuum pump oil, motor oil |
RCRA Chemical Compatibility List
EPA Chemical Compatibility Chart
3. Hazardous waste collection and container
a. Flammable liquids: glass bottles, steel cans, high density plastic container
b. Concentrated acid or bases: 2.5 liter "acid" bottle *Note: One gallone glass bottles are unacceptable for acids or bases because of the high specific gravity of the substance and thinness of one gallong glass containers increases the likeliehood of container breakage.
c. Aqueous solution: glass bottles, plastic bottles, plastic cans
d. Solid waste and contaminated solid waste: collected in plastic aip-lock bags, fiber boxes, or plastic containers.
e. Broken mercury thermometers: broken thermometers without free flowing mercury may be packaged in the same manner as trace contaminated solid waste. Broken thermometers with mercury should be contained in a glass or plastic bottle with a tight cap.
f. Containers and caps should be compatible with chemical wastes.
g. Each container labeled with contents must be sealted airtight with proper screw caps; rubber stoppers, corks, and parafilm are unacceptable.
h. Do not fill liquid containers to more than 80% capacity to prevent spillage on top of the container.
i. The top and sides of the container must be clean and uncontaminated.
4. Paper Work and Documentation
The University Hazardous Waste Disposal Record is a specialized packing slip designed to meet regulatory labeling requirments for transporting hazardous waste. In addition, it is used for recordkeeping purposes. Failure to properly complete the disposal record may delay the collection of the waste. EHS will not accept waste unless accompanied by the appropriate disposal form.
Chemical Waste Disposal Document Form
To request for a hazardous waste pickup service or obtain the hazardous waste disposal record forms/labels/tags, please call EH&S at 07215 (UPC) or 22225 (HSC).