Chemical Waste Disposal- DOs, DON'Ts

DO's

• DO determine if your waste is hazardous: Is it an Ignitable, Corrosive, Reactive, Toxic or a listed waste?
• DO select a chemical waste accumulation area that is out of the way of normal activities easily identifiable and safely accessible.
• DO label each waste container with "Hazardous Waste" and the specific names of the waste constituents.
• DO store waste in compatible containers with an unbroken screw-top lid.
• Do keep containers of waste closed except when waste is being added to them.
• DO segregate halogenated and non-halogenated solvents.
• DO store all chemical waste within secondary containment can be a lab tray or a dishpan. It just needs to hold the contents of the largest container in case of breakage or accident. Provide secondary containment for incompatible materials.
• DO keep container exteriors free from contamination. Wipe down container if necessary.

DON'T

• DO NOT pour chemicals or solvents down the drain.
• DO NOT evaporate chemical wastes in a fume hood.
• DO NOT abandon chemicals in the laboratory.
• DO NOT mix various waste chemicals indiscriminately,
• DO NOT throw chemicals into trash containers until you determine if waste is non-hazardous.
• DO NOT accumulate chemical wastes for any extended period of time. A chemical waste disposal form should be completed when a container is 95% full. A container not yet full should not be held for more than 9 months.

Source: National Environmental Engineering Research Institute