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Unwanted Hazardous Materials Disposal

Managing Unwanted Laboratory Materials - Working with chemicals in a laboratory environment inevitably generates waste. Chemicals may become unwanted due to usage as a reactant, solvent, degreaser, or cleaner; process changes; expiration; or degradation over time. The chemical properties of these materials often classify them as regulated waste for transportation and disposal purposes. The University of Utah follows the EPA’s Academic Lab Rule, requiring labs to refer to laboratory chemical waste as Unwanted Materials. This allows regulatory determination to occur at the university’s regulated waste management facility, alleviating laboratory personnel from making waste code determinations.

Things to Consider

Who Needs to Comply?

Anyone working with laboratory chemicals or generating waste/non-usable byproducts must complete training on proper waste management. This training is conducted through reviewing the Chemical Hygiene Plan and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) specific to the lab’s chemicals and processes.

Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) relies on laboratory personnel to:

  • Label and submit Unwanted Materials for disposal.
  • Ensure compliance with waste collection and labeling requirements.

EHS is responsible for:

  • Determining required waste classifications.
  • Segregating Unwanted Materials by hazard type.
  • Packaging materials for treatment and disposal via a contracted vendor.

What Needs to Be Done?

Unwanted Materials must be:

  • Collected in appropriate containers.
  • Labeled correctly.
  • Segregated by hazard type.
  • Disposed of through EHS.

How to Manage Unwanted Materials?

Collection

  • Collect used chemicals as they are generated.
  • Collect unused chemicals when they expire or are no longer needed.

Container Requirements

  • Containers must be in good condition (no cracks, leaks, dents, or contamination).
  • Must be compatible with the materials stored.
  • Keep containers closed, except when actively adding materials or when venting is necessary for safety.
  • Store in secondary containment at or near the point of generation.

Labeling Requirements

Each container must be labeled with:

  • “Unwanted Materials”
  • Hazards presented by the materials
  • Chemical name(s) of contents
  • Start date (when material is first added)

Disposal Process

  • Use Safety Administrative Management (SAM) to request a pickup.
  • Prepare materials by ensuring all containers are closed, labeled, and successfully submitted.

When Should Disposal Occur?

  • Label materials as soon as they are identified as unwanted.
  • Apply the Unwanted Materials label immediately when adding waste to a collection container.
  • Submit for disposal as often as necessary and no later than one year after the first addition to a container.
  • Disposal must occur if the lab accumulates 55 gallons of Unwanted Materials or 1 liter of acutely toxic materials.

By following these guidelines, laboratories ensure compliance with regulatory requirements while maintaining a safe and efficient working environment.

 

Resources:

Unwanted Materials Labels

Unwanted Materials Labels – small

Safety Administrative Management (SAM) system tutorial

 

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