If you are unwilling or unable to determine if your chemical or chemical mixture is hazardous, fill out and send a Waste Evaluation Request and EH&S will send you the answer.
Review the hazardous waste definitions and classifications in the Chemical Waste Management section of the Laboratory Safety Manual.
Containers with dangerous waste must remain closed, except when adding or removing waste.
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Accumulate waste in a sturdy, compatible container with a screw top lid.
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Label all containers with a completed UW Hazardous Waste Label and a second Hazardous Waste label indicating the primary hazard as appropriate (see FAQs below or refer to How to Label Chemical Waste Containers).
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Leave some headspace in the container for temperature and vapor pressure changes.
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Store waste in secondary containment to contain spills and leaks.
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Make sure that the waste accumulation location is under your control (i.e. not in hallways).
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Stay under maximum accumulation limits for each type of waste (54 gallons for most chemical waste, 1 quart for extremely hazardous waste - see the Chemical Waste Management section of the Laboratory Safety Manual).
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Do not accumulate the same type of waste in two different containers at the same time.
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Documented required training for chemical waste management.
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Laboratory staff should take the online training for Managing Laboratory Chemicals or periodic classroom training.
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Shops and facilities staff should use the Chemical Waste Guide for Facilities Services as training; the last page of the guide serves as training documentation.
If you don’t follow these regulations, we will delay your pick up until the problem has been corrected. If you have any questions, please contact EH&S at 206.616.5835.
We have created a self-audit checklist to help you evaluate your compliance with the hazardous waste regulations. The Hazardous Waste Checklist was developed by EH&S to help UW staff prepare for periodic hazardous waste inspections by the Department of Ecology, but it can be used at any time.