Instructions for Managing Hazardous Waste in

Academic Laboratories

CONTAINER

Choose a container appropriate for the waste and in good condition. Obscure the existing label and obscure the hazard warnings if they are inappropriate for hazard(s) of the waste. The container must be kept CLOSED at all times except when material is being added. Open top funnels are NOT considered a closed container. Waste funnels with a hindged lid are used for most course related chemical waste.  Be sure to use the correct container according to its label and close the lid after adding waste.
 

LABEL

Apply a Hazardous Waste label when the FIRST material is added to the container but do not date at this time.  labels are available in the Chemistry Stockroom.
 

NAME OF WASTE

Use a common name or name referring to process or experiment which created the waste.
 

CONTENTS

Identify the primary constituents (i.e. the constituents which render the waste "hazardous"). These constituents MUST BE IDENTIFIED IN WORDS. The regulations do not allow the use of symbols, formulas, abbreviations, etc. Approximate % of each should be included once the container is FILLED or otherwise ready for removal.  Non-hazardous contents do not have to be noted.
 

MARK THE HAZARD THE MATERIAL EXHIBITS

I.    Ignitable = a liquid with a flashpoint less than 140F. The MSDS or original package label will note a specific flashpoint.   "Flammables" have flashpoints below 100F and "Combustibles" have flashpoints between 100F and 200F.  Highly volitale liquids such as alcohols or acetone, mixed with water will retain a low flash point at very low percentages.  Oxidizers, Flammable Solids, Water & Air Reactive materials are also considered ignitable.

II.  Corrosive = materials capable of corroding steel including solutions with pH < 2 or > 12.5

III. Reactive =

  • Unstable and readily undergoes violent changes without detonating.
  • Reacts violently, forms explosive mixtures, or generates toxic fumes with water.
  • Cyanide or sulfur bearing and generates toxic gases when exposed to a pH between 2 and 12.5.
  • Capable of detonation or explosive reaction  at standard temperature and pressure, with an initiating source, or when heated.
  • It is a forbidden Class A or Class B explosive under DOT regulations.

IV. Toxic/Poison = known to pose a serious threat to health.  The original container or MSDS should note this characteristic
 
V.   Infectious = contains blood & blood products, pathological or infectious agents, etc.
 

DATE

This is the date that the container becomes full or is ready to be placed into the accumulation cabinet.

SEGREGATION
Incompatible chemicals must be physically separated or given secondary containment.
segregate REACTIVES from IGNITABLES
segregate ACIDS from ALKALINES
segregate CORROSIVES from IGNITABLES
segregate strong OXIDIZERS from EVERYTHING
most ORGANIC REACTIVES must be segregated from INORGANIC REACTIVES


Revised September 2009

DRAIN DISPOSAL RULES