XIII. WASTE DISPOSAL
A. Disposing of Waste Chemicals
Chemical waste disposal is a costly problem. Every effort must be made to safely and legally handle this process. The responsibility for identifying and assuring the proper handling of waste lies with each person generating the waste, the Laboratory Director, the Unit Safety Coordinator(s) and, lastly, the Chemical Hygiene Officer.
- The Laboratory Director must plan for waste disposal before starting any project.
- Waste must be labeled promptly and properly. It must be specified identified for disposal purposes.
- DO NOT mix chemical wastes.
- Priorities for limiting of excess chemicals are:
a. reduce
b. reuse
c. recycle
d. reclaim
e. treat
f. destroy
g. dispose
- Limit the amount of chemicals ordered to the amount needed.
- Whenever possible, reuse the chemicals on hand.
- Reclaim used chemicals by distilling or precipitation.
- Treat the waste as part of the process to reduce waste disposal.
- Contact Chemical Hygiene Officer to arrange for disposal of all surplus chemicals and chemical waste. Appendix L illustrates the form that is to be completed and submitted for surplus/waste chemical pickup.
For more information on how chemical waste is handled, see the College's "Waste Reduction Plan".
