Waste Management

All materials that are no longer useful must be classified as hazardous or non-hazardous waste. This classification is determined by EHS. 

Wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Drain disposal of chemical liquids is not permitted unless approved by EHS.

Complete the Unwanted Material Form for a Pick-Up. 

Allow the animal or biological material to drain to remove as much of the chemical preservative as possible.

"Sharps"-type chemical-contaminated lab material shall be accumulated in a rigid, puncture-resistant, leak-resistant container and labeled as containing "sharps", in addition to the chemical name and hazard. "Sharps" include needles, razor blades, glass pipettes, broken glass, or any other material that poses a puncture potential. Sharps that are infectious must be managed as infectious or medical waste. 

All excess property requiring disposal must follow University  Policy 9410 for the requirements of ESPM. 

Any chemical contaminated material generated from the decontamination of equipment shall be managed as chemical-contaminated lab trash.

If your empty container did not contain any chemical on the List of Regulated Empty Containers follow the applicable procedure below:

• If the container contained a water soluble or miscible product, triple rinse the container with water.
• If the container contained a nonwater soluble product (i.e., oil) put a minimal amount of absorbent material (oil dry, vermiculite) in the container prior to disposing.

If you have an empty container that contained a chemical on the List of Regulated Chemical Containers and have contacted EHS then complete the registration certifying you have participated in this training. Only after completing the registration will EHS be permitted to pickup material from you.

Confirm cylinder is labeled with its chemical name and hazard.

If the gas cylinder was not obtained by AirGas, complete the Unwanted Material Form for a pick-up.

Infectious material requiring disposal is managed under a completely different set of EPA regulations. Complete the Unwanted Material Form for a pick-up.

Chemicals or products not in their original container or not with a legible label, and used chemicals or products shall be accumulated in suitable sized containers with a secure fitting lid. Any chemical or product accumulated in a container that does not have its original, in tact, legible label must be labeled in one of the following manners:

• The container must be CLEARLY marked with the product name and product company with mailing address and/or phone number; or,
• Obtain from EHS an unwanted chemical material label. Complete the label and affix it to the container.

To properly label and package the material for it's chemical content return to the previous slide and choose the icon that best describes your chemical material.

Any mixed radioactive/chemical material found not to be labeled or packaged per these instructions will not be picked up until properly prepared for pickup.

All unwanted paint and paint related material shall be kept in its original container with its original label intact and legible. Paint must be separated between oil based and latex. Paint not in its original container, or not with a legible label must be accumulated in suitable sized containers with a secure fitting lid and must be labeled as to the type of paint. Mark the outside of the container with the words "Oil Based Paint" or "Latex Paint" to reflect the type of paint in the container.

Call EHS at 937-775-2215 if you will be generating more than five gallons of paint or paint-related material. EHS will supply you with an approved drum to accumulate your paint or paint-related material.

Any unwanted paint or paint related material found not to be labeled or packaged per these instructions will not be picked up or will be returned and left until properly prepared for pick up.

All batteries must be packaged to prevent any sparks or generation of heat.

All leads should be taped to prevent electrical contact.

All containers of universal waste batteries must be marked with the words, “Universal Waste Batteries,” “Waste Batteries,” or “Used Batteries” and be marked with the accumulation start date.

All university-owned electronics (e.g., unwanted computers, monitors, televisions, etc.) must be managed through ESPM. 

Ballasts: Ballasts that contain PCB's are to be accumulated by Facilities Operations and ultimately disposed through the Department of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS). Follow these guidelines:

• Only ballasts containing PCB's must be managed as described here. Non PCB containing ballasts can be disposed as regular solid waste by discarding them in the nearest trash receptacle or dumpster. Any ballast used prior to 1980 is assumed to contain PCB's unless the words "Contains No PCB's" is written on the label. Any ballast manufactured after 1980 (except for dry electric ballasts) should be labeled as not containing PCB's. Dry electric ballasts do not contain PCB's.
• PCB containing ballasts shall be accumulated in an approved 30 gallon steel drum. Call EHS at 937-775-2215 for the drums.
• All wires shall be clipped off the ballast as close to the ballast as possible.
• Ballasts should be stacked in the drum to allow for the greatest number of ballasts as possible to be collected in one drum.
• All full drums must be stored in an area accessible by EHS's truck. When drums are ready, complete the Unwanted Material Form for a pick-up. Let EHS know if any new drums are needed.
• All full drums must be discarded within one year from the date of the first ballast added to the drum.
• Any PCB ballasts found not to be packaged per these instructions will not be picked up or will be returned and / or left until properly prepared for pick up.

Broken thermometers must have the broken end taped closed to prevent the accidental discharge of mercury.

Spent solvents may be collected in one of two manners:

Complete the registration certifying you have participated in this training. Only after completing the registration will EHS be permitted to pickup material from you.

Accumulate the spent solvent in an approved flammable safety can. These cans vary in size from a half gallon to five gallons. They can be purchased through an outside vendor. Call EHS at 937-775-2215 for a list of vendors or EHS often has used cans that can be given to you. Choose a can size with a capacity to handle at least two weeks of spent solvent. This is the recommended method if generating spent solvent frequently at higher volumes.

Make an appropriate entry onto the spent solvent inventory sheet each time a volume of spent solvent is poured into the can. An appropriate entry includes the chemical name(s) of the spent solvent(s), the volume, and the percentage of solvents if a mixture. When making the entry record the chemical name. DO NOT USE ABBREVIATIONS, CHEMICAL FORMULAS, OR TRADENAMES.

EHS will arrange for proper analysis of the material at the expense of the generator or generator's department. The cost of such analysis depends on the amount of the material, it's physical state (solid, liquid, or gas), and how much information is known about the material. Call EHS at 937-775-2215 for arrangements.

Ensure that all material has its original label. If the original label is missing or not legible complete an unwanted chemical material label per the instructions and affix it to the container.

Collect all unused or surplus reagents/chemicals in one area (preferably in boxes).

Accumulate all unwanted used acid or base material in a suitable sized container, compatible with the unwanted material, with a secure fitting lid.

Complete the Unwanted Material Form for a pick-up. EHS performs routine chemical pick-ups on Friday of each week. If other arrangements for pick up are needed please call EHS at 937-775-2215.

Obtain from EHS an unwanted chemical material label. Complete the label per the instructions and affix it to the container.

Keep unused oil in its original container and mark "UNUSED" on the container. Complete the Unwanted Material Form for a pick-up.

If the used oil contains any chemical contaminants obtain from EHS an unwanted chemical material label. Complete the label and affix it to the container of used oil.

Any unwanted oil found not to be labeled or packaged per these instructions will not be picked up or will be returned and left until properly prepared for pick up.

Complete the Unwanted Material Form for a pick-up. EHS performs routine chemical pick-ups on Friday of each week. If other arrangements for pick up are needed please call EHS at 937-775-2215.

The evaluations of the darkrooms on campus have resulted in the allowance of used developer, stop bath, and wash to be released to the sanitary sewer.

Used and/or unused film may be disposed as regular trash.

The following used solid chemicals are not to be mixed with other solid chemicals:

• any mercury containing chemical (i.e., mercuric chloride, elemental mercury)
• any heavy metal containing chemical (i.e., lead acetate, barium sulfate)
• any carbon powder or activated carbon.

Complete the Unwanted Material Form for a pick-up. EHS performs routine chemical pick-ups on Friday of each week. If other arrangements for pick up are needed please call EHS at ext. 2215.

Obtain from EHS a used solid chemical inventory sheet to be attached to the container.

Complete the Unwanted Material Form for a pick-up when the container becomes full. EHS performs routine chemical pick-ups on Friday of each week. If you anticipate a steady generation of used dry chemicals then EHS can check your lab each week without you requesting a pick up. Please arrange this in advance by calling EHS at 937-775-2215.