Hazardous Waste Procedures: Collection and Storage
Background
Chemical waste generated at UWM is usually kept in a container until disposal. Most of the chemical waste is collected by Environmental Affairs personnel and stored for no more than three months. Every two to three months, a chemical waste contractor picks up waste from UWM's four accumulation sites (Lapham Hall, Great Lakes WATER Institute, Kenilworth and the University Services Building) and ships the waste to approved disposal facilities.
Containers are supplied by the Environmental Affairs Program.
Hazardous waste is picked up on a regular schedule. If you need a pickup before your next regularly scheduled visit, please contact Environmental Affairs staff at x4999 or x2883.
For waste pick-ups at the Great Lakes WATER Institute, please use the on-line Waste Pick-Up Request form.
Containers
Chemical waste in general, and hazardous waste in particular, must be stored in a sturdy, closed container, free of leaks. Cans of paint without lids, leaky ballasts, broken thermometers and chemically-contaminated items must be placed in a closed container for safe transport to the facility.
Any leak-free container that is compatible with the contents is acceptable. The hazardous waste program has a wide variety of free waste containers for almost every need. If a container is larger than a 55-gallon drum, special arrangements for disposal may be necessary, please contact Environmental Affairs staff at x4999 or x2883 for assistance.
General Guidelines for Things to Keep Out of Carboys
- Very acidic, Very basic
- Very Volatile
- Reactive: with water, with air, strong oxidizers, strong reducers, redox, polymerizable, produces gas
- Toxic/Noxious: Low LD/50 or TD/50, sensitizers, smelly (i.e. mercaptans)
- Surplus stocks of the above chemicals are best left in their original container for disposal.
Updated October 2, 2007 by SAK