Disposal of Empty Drums
General Information - Drums
Empty drums are too often a temptation for people to put things into. Later, no one remembers what was put or kept in the drum, and the contents become expensive to dispose. Chemicals in drum quantities in unknown amounts also require extensive safety precautions.
Staff in UWM's Environmental Affairs department help campus users manage their empty drums. Metal drums are sent to be recycled. Plastic and fiber drums are reused on campus in the used oil recycling program, for trash receptacles, and for waste solvent containers. Smaller drums, in the 10 to 30 gallon range are needed as much as 55-gallon drums.
Please call UWM Stores Department x5216, or contact Environmental Affairs staff at x4999 or x2883 if you have an empty drum for recycling.
What do I need to do?
Contact PPS Stores (x5216) to request a pickup of empty drums. Drums must be completely empty before Stores can pickup and transport the drum for reuse. Drums must be emptied so that no liquid comes out of the bung if the drum is turned upside down. Pesticides and Acute Hazardous Materials must be triple rinsed with an appropriate solvent, before the drum is considered empty. [Note: in the latter case, the rinsate must be collected and turned over to staff in UWM's Environmental Affairs Program for disposal.] If residuals remain in the drum which are unusable or unwanted, please contact staff in our Enviornmental Affairs Program. Drums that formerly contained solvents should also be given to Environmental Affairs for processing.
What about smaller containers, such as bottles and jars?
Glass, metal and other small containers which formerly held chemicals should be completely emptied before disposal. Pesticide and acute hazardous chemical containers must be triple rinsed before disposal of the container [The rinsate should go to staff in Environmental Affairs.]
Once the container is completely empty, or rinsed, it should be labeled "EMPTY" or "RINSED", or with some other appropriate label and then placed next to the regular trash or other area designated by the custodian. Containers still holding residues of hazardous materials should be given to Environmental Affairs staff for proper processing and disposal.
October 2, 2007 by SAK