CHEMICAL WASTE
MANAGEMENT
GUIDELINES
Chemical Waste Management Guidelines 2013
Table of Contents
Chemical Waste Collection Program .................................................................................. 1
Chemical Waste Pick up ......................................................................................................... 1
Chemical Waste Containers .................................................................................................. 1
Sealing Chemical Waste Containers ................................................................................... 2
Labeling Chemical Waste Containers ................................................................................ 2
Mixing Chemical Waste ........................................................................................................... 2
Chemical Waste Container Storage .................................................................................... 3
Chemical Container Disposal ................................................................................................ 3
Expired Ethyl Ether .................................................................................................................. 3
SUMMARY .................................................................................................................................... 3
Appendix1 ................................................................................................................................... 4
Chemical Waste Collection Program
All chemical waste generated by UAH MUST be managed by OEHS. In general,
laboratories are not directly charged for this service so long as the guidelines in this
document are followed.
Chemical Waste Pick up
All chemical waste will be picked up by OEHS per specific building schedule
(Appendix 1) or by request.
The Chemical Disposal Inventory Form (Appendix 2) must accompany all waste
and surplus chemicals.
Chemicals must never be transported in personal vehicles. Only OEHS may
transport chemical waste in approved University vehicles.
Chemicals must NOT be disposed of by evaporation. This includes evaporation in
fume hoods or biosafety cabinets. Remember, chemical waste containers must be
kept closed at all times except when actually adding chemical waste.
Chemical Waste Containers
Chemical waste must be stored in containers (including lids) composed of
materials that are compatible with the waste.
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Chemical Waste Management Guidelines 2013
Chemical waste containers must be in good condition and free of leaks and
residue on the outside of the container.
For liquids, fill containers to about 90% of container volume. Do NOT fill
containers to the top. Leave at least 2 inches of space in liquid waste containers to
allow for liquid expansion and decanting.
Sealing Chemical Waste Containers
Chemical waste containers must be tightly closed to prevent leakage or spillage.
Containers should be closed with a screw-type lid or other appropriate device.
Plastic wrap, aluminum foil, parafilm and other temporary lids are unacceptable.
A container holding chemical waste must ALWAYS be closed, except when
waste is actually being added.
If a waste container is used to collect waste from a continuous process (i.e.,
drainage from a process collected with tubing inserted into a bottle such as
HPLC), the container must still be sealed using rubber stoppers with tubing
inserts or other appropriate means. It is not acceptable to leave funnels in
chemical waste containers.
Labeling Chemical Waste Containers
All chemical waste containers must be labeled with the chemical waste label
affixed on the bottle
These label are available with Department Office and OEHS web site
The following information must be provided on the label:
o PI Name or Generator name
o Building
o Room number
o Telephone number
o Exact contents of the container
It is important to include as much information as is known about the contents of the
chemical waste container, including percentages and water content, to facilitate disposal
Mixing Chemical Waste
Mixing a hazardous waste with a non-hazardous waste may increase the volume
of hazardous waste for disposal or increase disposal costs due to differences in
disposal options for certain hazardous wastes.
Mixing incompatible materials may be dangerous. Refer to “Incompatibility of
Common Laboratory Chemicals” before mixing wastes
DO NOT mix incompatible materials in the same container.
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Chemical Waste Management Guidelines 2013
Consult with OEHS prior to mixing different chemical wastes.
Chemical Waste Container Storage
A specific area should be designated in the laboratory as a chemical waste storage
area. The area must be marked with “Waste Storage Area” signage (available
with OEHS and Department Office)
Waste must be stored in the room it was generated in and cannot be transferred to
any area that requires passage through a door.
Chemical waste must be stored with secondary containment so that spills cannot
reach sinks, or floor drains.
Incompatible chemical wastes must be segregated to prevent reaction.
Segregation methods include storing in separate cabinets or separate secondary
containment containers such as 5-gallon buckets or tubs.
You must not store chemical waste in quantities that prevent proper storage
practices.
Chemical Container Disposal
Empty plastic and brown glass chemical containers may be rinsed with water and
recycled or disposed of. Caps must be removed and labels must defaced and marked
“EMPTY or MT”. Containers that held EPA Registered Pesticides or “P-listed”
chemicals must be disposed of through OEHS and may not be rinsed and/or recycled.
Expired Ethyl Ether
Expired ethyl ether is one of the most common highly hazardous chemicals found in
laboratories. Ethyl ether is extremely flammable and can form explosive peroxides after
exposure to air and light. Since it is packaged in an air atmosphere, peroxides can form
even in unopened containers. Therefore, it is very important to write the date received
and the date opened on all ether containers. Opened containers should be disposed
of through the OEHS within 6 months of opening. Unopened containers should be
disposed of through the EHSO within 12 months of receipt.
Ethers should be purchased in the smallest container practical and be stored away from
heat, sunlight and any source of ignition in a flammable storage cabinet or
refrigerator/freezer certified for storing flammable materials.
SUMMARY
Containers must be in good condition.
The waste placed in the container must be compatible with the container.
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Chemical Waste Management Guidelines 2013
Containers must be clearly and legibly labeled with the “Chemical Waste Label” The
chemical name (no abbreviations or chemical formulas) and quantity (percentage) of the
contents must be listed.
The label must be firmly attached to the container.
Containers must be placed next to or near the process that generates the waste.
Containers must be kept closed at all times except when adding or removing waste. Do not
leave a funnel in the hazardous waste container.
Containers must be segregated by hazard class (e.g. acids from bases and flammables).
Containers and area must be inspected at least weekly for leakage.
Appendix1 – Chemical Waste Disposal Schedule by Building
Completion
Building Name Department Months
Date
Engineering Engineering June
Engineering October
Wilson Hall Art July
Art November
Art
Roberts Hall Art July and November
Optics NMDC
Physics
August and December
Physics
Physics
Materials Science Chem/Eng/Bio
Chem/Eng/Bio
October and January
Chem/Eng/Bio
Engineering
Johnson Research Center Propulsion Research November and March
Von Braun Research Hall Various Centers
November and March
Technology Hall Engineering
Engineering February and June
Engineering
Cramer Hall Phase II NASA/UAH
NASA/UAH
April and August
NASA/UAH
NASA/UAH
Notes:
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