HAZARD WASTE

MANAGEMENT TRAINING

REVISED 1/6/2021
 COURSE CONTENT
 Hazard Waste Compliance
 Hazard Waste Determination
 Best Practices for Waste
Management
 Hazard Waste Labeling
 Chemical Waste Segregation
 High Risk Chemicals
 Guidelines for Cost-Effective Waste
Disposal
 Waste Minimization Plan
 Common Waste Violations
 Recycling & Universal Waste
 Empty Container Disposal
 Broken Glassware
 Needles, Razors, & Contaminated
Sharps
 HAZARD WASTE COMPLIANCE

WCU is classified as a hazardous waste generator by the U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and North Carolina
Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and as such is required
to comply with hazardous waste laws and regulations.
The Safety and Risk Management Office at WCU is responsible
for coordinating an effective hazardous waste management
program. The primary objectives of the program are to protect
human health and the environment and ensure compliance with
university, local, state, and federal hazardous waste regulations.

WCU personnel and facilities involved in activities that generate

hazardous waste are subject to these regulations and must
adhere to the requirements outlined in this training and the Lab
Waste Management Program.
 HAZARD WASTE DETERMINATION

Hazardous waste is a solid, chemical, fuel, or compressed gas that

is harmful to human health or the environment. The material is
no longer considered useful and is intended to be discarded.
 HAZARD WASTE DETERMINATION
Essentially, if the waste material exhibits any of the following
characteristics it is subject to hazard waste regulation:
 Ignitable (easily catches on fire, flash point (FP) < 140oF)
 Corrosive (pH ≤ 2 or ≥ 12.5)
 Reactive (unstable under normal conditions, reactive with water or
air, self-reacting, peroxide formers, etc.)
 Toxic (acute or chronic health hazard, environmental toxicity)

 Listed materials are acutely hazardous and pose significant risk to

human health or the environment. These materials are listed in
Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) in section 261.
 HOW CAN YOU DETERMINE IF THE WASTE IS
HAZARDOUS?
• Read the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for the materials you are working
with to understand the hazard classification.
• Identify the hazard pictograms used on labeling and the SDS. GHS
standardized symbols are used for each type of hazard:

Ignitable Reactive Reactive Toxic Toxic Corrosive Toxic to

Flammable Oxidizer Explosive Poison Health Environment
 HOW CAN YOU DETERMINE IF THE WASTE IS
HAZARDOUS?

• Particularly hazardous materials (acutely hazardous) would require a

Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for training purposes and
waste disposal procedures would be detailed in this document.

• Ask your supervisor or lab Principal Investigator.

• Contact Safety and Risk Management 828-227-7443 for guidance with

hazard waste disposal questions.
 BEST PRACTICES FOR WASTE MANAGEMENT

• Container: Collect the waste in a clean, leak-proof, and compatible

container. Do not use beakers, flasks, or household containers to
collect waste.
• Lid: Waste containers must always be kept closed with an
appropriate lid, except when adding the waste. Always allow
chemicals to react completely and cool to ambient temperature
before accumulating as waste. In some cases, a vented container lid
should be used. Post a sign for an open container to indicate that it is
still reacting.
 BEST PRACTICES FOR WASTE MANAGEMENT

• Chemical Segregation: Incompatible wastes must not be mixed or

stored in the same container. Ask if you are unsure about chemical
compatibility (supervisor, SOP, SDS, Safety Office).
• Secondary Containment: Always store waste bottles in a secondary
container (bin or tray) to prevent spills from overpour or breakage!
• Do not overfill the container, always leave about 10% of headspace to
allow for expansion during storage and transport. Without room to
expand, the bottle could explode!
• Work with hazardous waste in a chemical fume hood and use proper
PPE and lab attire (closed toed shoes, long pants, & long sleeves).
 BEST PRACTICES FOR WASTE MANAGEMENT

• Waste Storage: Do not store waste in a location that could create a

trip hazard, block the exit, or block access to emergency equipment.
• Waste Storage Signs: Post a “Hazardous Waste Storage Area” sign in
a visible area near the waste.
• Waste Storage Limit: No more than 55 gallons of hazardous waste, or
1-quart acute “listed” waste can be stored in the laboratory (or site
where waste is generated).
• Inspect the waste periodically to ensure that the containers are
intact, closed, and not leaking.
 HAZARD WASTE LABELING

• Waste containers must be marked with the words Lab Hazardous

Waste and a waste tag or label must be securely attached.
• Hazardous waste tags/labels must be filled out by the waste
generator at the time the waste is added to the container and must
include the following information:
Chemical Name & Quantity
Date
Hazard Classification
Generator Information
 HAZARD WASTE LABELING

Chemical Name: Write the full chemical name (no formulas,

abbreviations, or structures) for all components, including water.
Concentration: Indicate the %, molarity, ppm, etc. if known.
Quantity: Indicate the approximate amount (volume or mass) of each
chemical in the container.
pH: Indicate the pH for aqueous waste.
Hazard Classification: Indicate if flammable, corrosive, toxic, oxidizer,
heavy metals, etc.
Generator Information: Person generating the waste & location.
Date: Write the date when the waste is first added to the container.
EXAMPLE WASTE TAG
Incomplete information could present a serious
safety threat to personnel and disposal vendors
handling the waste. Please make sure the tag or
label is complete, accurate, and legible!
 UNKNOWN CHEMICAL WASTE

• Unlabeled containers are often discovered, and usually after the

generator has vacated the space or left the university! It is very
expensive to dispose of unknown solutions!
• To prevent this, always label containers with ALL chemical substances
and label containers of water! A clear liquid could be anything!
• Follow the disposal procedures to clean up solutions when you
complete the research project or activity.
• Lab inspections often result in violations for missing labels.
• If there is an emergency in the lab, responders on site have to know
what they are dealing with. If it isn’t labeled, they won’t know what it
is!
 CHEMICAL WASTE SEPARATION

Keep the following waste streams separate whenever possible to ensure

safe handling and cost-effective disposal:

 Bases, caustics  Reactive materials (air or water

 Flammable liquids: non-
halogenated solvents
 Halogenated solvents
 Inorganic acids (collect
hydrofluoric acid separately)
 Organic acids
 Oxidizers (collect nitric acid
separately)
reactive)
 Flammable Solids
 Toxic heavy metals (cadmium,
mercury, lead, nickel, etc.)
 Pesticides and herbicides
 Polychlorinated biphenyls
(PCBs) and dioxins
 HIGH RISK CHEMICALS

High-risk chemicals are highlighted in red in the “regtype” column on

the online chemical/SDS inventory (msds.wcu.edu).
High-risk chemicals must be closely monitored and disposed of
according to the requirements listed below:
• Indicate date received, date opened, and date expired on the container.
• Review the SDS/SOP for storage, handling, and disposal considerations.
• Dispose of high-risk chemicals when the expiration date is reached.
• If the expiration date is not indicated, dispose of opened containers
before 5 years and unopened containers before 10 years, even if they
contain an inhibitor.
 PEROXIDE-FORMING CHEMICALS (PFC)

• These are chemicals that can auto-oxidize with atmospheric oxygen

under ambient conditions to form organic peroxides (containing a -O-
O- bond). Once formed, organic peroxides are sensitive to thermal or
mechanical shock and can be violently explosive in concentrated form
or as solids.
• Many common organic solvents such as ethers or tetrahydrofuran can
form peroxides if not stored or used properly.
• Make sure you know which chemicals in your lab are PFCs and follow
the recommended guidelines for storage and disposal.
 PEROXIDE-FORMING CHEMICALS (PFC)

• PFCs are highlighted in red (peroxide_former) under the “regtype” column in

the online SDS inventory for the location (msds.wcu.edu).
• Review the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for the safe handling of these chemicals.
• All PFCs should be labeled with date received, date opened, discard by date, and
peroxide test date & results (if opened).
• Inspect chemical bottles for signs of decomposition, such as:
 Solvent discoloration
 Crystal or solid formation
 Bottle, cap, or label degradation
 Chemical has passed dispose by or expiration date and has not been tested
for peroxide levels
 PEROXIDE-FORMING CHEMICALS (PFC)

Do NOT open or handle suspect containers of

peroxide-forming materials and contact the Office of
Safety and Risk Management immediately.

• Order PFCs in small quantities and select materials with peroxide

stabilizers or inhibitors.
• Further guidance for peroxide-forming and other high-risk
chemicals is available in the Chemical Hygiene Plan.
 LISTED, ACUTELY HAZARDOUS WASTE

“Listed” Acutely Hazardous Waste: There are strict regulations regarding the
quantity of these chemicals allowed to be stored as waste.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE DO NOT GO OVER THE

THRESHOLD LIMIT FOR P-LIST ACUTE HAZARD WASTE!

• Contact the Safety Office if more than one quart (2.2lbs, 1Kg) of a listed
waste is present in a lab.
• Some common materials include arsenic salts, cyanide salts, acrolein, &
phenylthiourea. A table of P-List chemicals can be reviewed on the EPA
website.
 LISTED, ACUTELY HAZARDOUS WASTE

Used or Unused pure commercial product: Identify any acutely hazardous P-

List chemicals as either used or unused commercial product.
Mixed waste streams containing any P-List used chemical must include the
% composition (or other estimated amount) within the mixture to
distinguish it from being a pure material.
Example: A 4L container labeled only as phenylthiourea will flag the waste as
P-list acute waste because it is labeled as pure product and will be over the
threshold limit for our generator status! The same waste container labeled
correctly as used 1% phenylthiourea will not be included in the threshold
quantity limit because it is labeled as a used chemical that is no longer pure
commercial material.
 GUIDELINES FOR COST-EFFECTIVE DISPOSAL

• Container Size: Choose an appropriate size for the generated waste. A small
amount of waste within a larger container costs the same to dispose of as if the
container were full. Example, if a full 5-gal pail of waste costs $100, the same fee
will be charged if it only contains 1 gallon of waste!
• Fill the container but leave at least 10% headspace to prevent expansion
breakage during storage and transport.
• Chemical Component: List each chemical and its concentration (Example, 1%
silver nitrate in 0.1M nitric acid).
• Identify unknowns: Unknown materials are very expensive to dispose of. Label
everything, including water, to avoid discovering unknowns in the future!
 WASTE MINIMIZATION PLAN

The most significant impact departments can have on hazardous waste costs is to
reduce the volume of waste required to be handled. Every effort should be made
to minimize the amount of hazardous waste generated.
 Inventory control: Purchase only what is needed and avoid over purchasing in
bulk quantities. Redistribute excess materials to other areas.
 Substitute with alternative non-hazardous materials whenever possible.
 Reuse of materials through redesign of experiments and processes.
 Render non-hazardous as a final step of a process (neutralize, detoxify, etc.) in
the generating area.
 Safe Handling: Practice good housekeeping and safe handling to avoid spill
cleanup waste.
 COMMON WASTE VIOLATIONS

Some of the most common violations of chemical waste regulations cited

during an inspection include:

 Open containers or lids not screwed on tightly (a funnel in the bottle is not
considered a closed container).
 Missing or incomplete labels for chemical identification.
 Lack of secondary containment to control for leaks/spills.
 Storage area creates a trip hazard, blocks the exit, or hinders access to
emergency equipment.
 Waste has accumulated for longer than 12 months.
 RECYCLING & UNIVERSAL WASTE

The Office of Sustainability and Energy Management supports recycling services

on campus and currently recycles the following materials:

• Aluminum • Plastics #1-7 The Universal Waste Program manages

• Batteries • Scrap Metals the disposal of:
• Cardboard • Mixed paper • Batteries
• Glass • Food Waste • Fluorescent lamps
• Printer • Personal • Mercury containing equipment
Cartridges electronics • Pesticides
 EMPTY CONTAINER DISPOSAL

• Empty containers can be cleaned and recycled (glass, plastic, metal).

• A chemical container is considered empty if:
 No liquid drains out when the container is tilted upside down
 No more liquid or solid can be physically removed
 Aerosol cans must be completely discharged of contents and pressure
• Triple rinse the container and collect the liquid as waste. Cross out the label
and write empty, remove the lid, and place in the appropriate recycling bin.
• Containers of acutely hazardous P-listed chemicals cannot be recycled and
must be disposed of as hazard waste.
• College of Arts and Sciences: Notify the chemical stockroom with the barcode
information to retire the chemical.
 BROKEN GLASSWARE

• Never place broken glass or other sharps in the regular trash!

• Discard non-contaminated broken glassware/sharps into an approved glass
disposal box that is lined with a thick plastic bag or other sharps container that
is closable, puncture resistant, leak-proof, and appropriately labeled.
• Broken glassware should be handled with a mechanical device (forceps or a
broom and dustpan) rather than directly with your hands.
• When the glass disposal box is full, tie the bag and securely tape the lid in place
so the contents cannot fall out. The box is disposed of in the landfill.
• Chemical contaminated glass should be collected in a separate sharps
container, securely closed, labeled with contents, and disposed of as hazardous
waste through the Safety and Risk Management Office.
 NEEDLES, RAZORS, & CONTAMINATED
SHARPS
• Disposable syringes and needles, scalpel blades, slides, or any other sharp items
must be placed in a puncture-resistant container for disposal.
• Sharps disposal containers should be made of heavy-duty plastic with a securely
closing lid.
• Biologically Contaminated: Label the container “Sharps Biohazard” if
contaminated with biological materials.
• Autoclaved sharps containers must indicate as sterilized prior to disposal.
• Regulated sharps are collected for disposal by a third-party vendor.
• Non-Contaminated: Label the container “Sharps NON-Biohazard” if not
contaminated with biological materials.
 NEEDLES, RAZORS, & CONTAMINATED
SHARPS
Disposal: When the container is ¾ full (or at the indicated full line), secure the lid
and seal the container well with duct tape so the contents cannot spill out during
disposal. Contact Safety and Risk Management to pick up the sealed and labeled
containers for disposal.

Biowaste Sharps Non-Contaminated Sharps

THE Safety and Risk Management Office
Voice: 828-227-7443

END Email: safety@wcu.edu

Website: info.wcu.edu/safety