Waste Disposal - Chemical Waste
Return to Waste Disposal - Introduction
Page Contents
Include: Material Safety Data Sheets | Labeling of containers | Scheduled drugs and poisons |Cytotoxic waste | Solvents | Other chemical waste | Empty chemical containers | Summary table
Material Safety Data Sheets
If you are in any doubt as to the appropriate waste disposal classification for a particular chemical, consult the manufacturer’s Material Safety Data Sheet, which must include information about waste disposal.
Labeling of containers
The appropriate labels and some containers can be obtained from the Departmental Stores.
Waste stickers (see below) are available from Departmental Stores where they can be found in Bay 3. Copies of these stickers can be viewed in the attached pdf files (below). The stickers are colour-coded. You must use the colour-coded version.
The following information is mandatory on any waste you take out of your laboratory:
- Department Number (526)
- Lab Name
- Date
- Weight (for cytotoxic waste drums and drums of contaminated tubes)
Scales are available in Room E07 for weighing containers of waste. - Attach and fill out the appropriate University EHS waste sticker.
- Cytotoxic Waste: May also contain a small amount of flammable liquids or other toxic substances (guanidine based chemicals, phenol, chloroform, acrylamide).
- Chlorinated Waste Solvents Contains: A mixture of waste solvents that are but not limited to a variable mixture of Dichloromethane, Chloroform, Tetrachloroethane, Carbon Tetrachloride, Dichloroethane.
- Water-Soluble Waste Solvents Contains: A mixture of waste solvents that are but not limited to a variable mixture of Acetone, Ethanol, Diethyl ether, Formaldehyde, Methanol, Propanols and Denatured Ethanol.
- Water-Insoluble Waste Solvents Contains: A mixture of waste solvents that may be but is not limited to a variable mixture of Acetonitrile, Ethyl acetate, Hexane, Petroleum spirits, Terpentine and Toluene.
- Containers must not contain more than 20 litres of liquid waste. Any containers with volumes over this amount will not be collected. Therefore, if you are using a 25 litre carboy for liquid waste it must not be filled to capacity.
- If you are using old chemical bottles/carboys for storing waste, the original manufacturer’s label must be completely removed (by soaking in warm soapy water) or completely effaced (with spray paint or heavy black texta pen). A new label with information on the container’s actual contents must be applied. This is to prevent any confusion about the contents of the waste container.
Sheduled Drugs and Poisons
Schedule 4, 7, 8 and 9:
Cannot be disposed of via the usual methods. Individual chemicals have unique disposal requirements. Please see the Safety Coordinator for the Legislative guidelines.
Cytotoxic Waste
These are all the mutagens and carcinogens. These are placed in the special 20 litre drums available from Bay 3 in Stores. Drums must be clearly labeled with filled-out Cytotoxic Waste stickers (available from Bay 3 in Stores). Full containers of cytotoxic waste are placed in Room E07.
Includes: Trizol (phenol/chloroform) and Acrylamide (set or unset).
Solvents
Organic solvents should be separated into three types:
Chlorinated waste solvents: Contain a mixture of waste solvents that are, but are not limited to, a variable mixture of Dichloromethane, Chloroform, Tetrachloroethane, Carbon Tetrachloride, Dichloroethane.
Water-soluble waste solvents (Non-Chlorinated): Contains a mixture of waste solvents that are, but are not limited to, a variable mixture of Acetone, Ethanol, Diethyl ether, Formaldehyde, Methanol, Propanols and Denatured Ethanol.
Water-insoluble waste solvents (Non-Chlorinated): Contain a mixture of waste solvents that may be, but is not limited to, a variable mixture of Acetonitrile, Ethyl acetate, Hexane, Petroleum spirits, Terpentine and Toluene.
These three types should be placed in separate containers or carboys. Chlorinated organic solvents are preferably stored in glass containers. Non-chlorinated organic solvents (water soluble or water insoluble) should be in high density polyethylene storage carboys. The maximum size of these carboys should be 10 litres, e.g. old ethanol carboys. The contents of each container must be neutralized to remove any excess acid (add sodium carbonate and test pH). Containers are then sealed and must be clearly labeled with filled-out “Chlorinated Waste Solvent ”, “Water Soluble Waste Solvent” or “Water Insoluble Waste Solvent” stickers. The labeling stickers are obtainable from Bay 3 in Stores. Containers are then placed in Room E07 ready for the monthly disposal organized by the Risk Management Office.
Small solvent residues in bottles (e.g. ≤ 5ml) can be safely evaporated in the fumehood. Bottles should then be thoroughly rinsed and disposed of in the Industrial Waste Wheelie Bins.
Other Chemical Waste
Non-Hazardous
It may be appropriate in some cases to dispose of chemicals down the sink. This may include: small quantities of water miscible chemicals, or buffers etc that are both low concentration and pH neutral. This should only be done with prior approval of the Department Manager as the University has an environmental policy concerning disposal of chemicals down the sink.
It may be appropriate to dispose of some chemicals in the industrial waste wheelie bins. (e.g. sucrose, sodium chloride, etc)
If in doubt, treat them the same as hazardous chemicals. See below.
Hazardous to the environment
Chemicals that are described as being "hazardous to the environment" should be disposed of via Cytotoxic Waste (see guidelines above), which is high temperature incinerated. This includes all guanidine based chemicals
Hazardous
Any chemical that does not have an appropriate University EHS sticker must be chemically identified, labeled and included on a “Chemicals for Disposal” form. These hazardous chemicals are disposed of by the contractor “Envirochem”. Examples may include: buffers containing chemicals harmful to the environment, photographic developer, formaldehyde waste, DMSO or hazardous solids.
They should ideally be in their original container with the manufacturer’s label to indicate the name of the chemical and any hazards associated with it. If a manufacturer’s label is not present, the laboratory must label the container with full chemical name, UN number, CAS#, and appropriate hazard warnings. Additionally, each container should be clearly labeled with the Work Group name.
Place the chemicals in Room E07. If chemicals are Flammable, place in Yellow Flammable Storage cupboard located in Room E07. Please ensure that all lids are on tight and that spillages, breakages or leaking cannot occur. Chemicals must be placed in boxes/tubs so that they will not tip over during transportation. Chemicals which cannot be stored together should not be placed in boxes together.
A written list of the chemicals must be provided on the form “Chemicals for Disposal”. The completed form should be emailed to Elena in MPU (elenat@unimelb.edu.au ). A copy of this form must also be left with the chemicals.
Empty chemical packaging containers (e.g. outer tins) that have not been in contact with chemicals may be disposed of directly into the Wheelie Bin waste on the ground floor.
Empty Chemical Containers
Most empty chemical containers (except from Class 6.1 Chemicals) can be rinsed and disposed of in the industrial waste wheelie bins. Containers that have been used to hold Class 6.1 Chemicals should be rinsed thoroughly and the rinse should be treated as Cytotoxic Waste. After they have been thoroughly rinsed, the containers can be disposed of in the industrial waste wheelie bins.
Accessing Room E07
The key for Room E07 will be kept in Stores. Please sign for the key when you remove it and return it as soon as you have finished.
Chemical Waste Summary Table
Download Chemical Waste Summary Table (pdf) or Waste Summary Table - all categories (pdf).
Item |
Designated Area |
Container |
Comment |
| Scheduled Drugs and Poisons [Back to Scheduled Drugs and Poisons] |
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| Schedule 4, 7, 8 and 9 | Cannot be disposed of via the usual methods. Individual chemicals have unique disposal requirements. Please see the Safety Coordinator for the Legislative guidelines. | ||
| Cytotoxic Waste [Back to Cytotoxic Waste] |
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| Cytotoxic Waste | Room E07 [Back to Labeling of containers] |
Special 20 litre drums available from Stores | Attach purple University EHS "Cytotoxic Waste" sticker |
| Solvents [Back to Solvents] |
|||
| Chlorinated Waste Solvents e.g. Dichloromethane, Chloroform, Tetrachloroethane, Carbon tetrachloride, Dichloroethane, Phenol-Choloroform mixes |
Room E07 (when container is full) |
Glass bottle | Check chemical compatibility of solvent with high density polyethylene
Apply appropriate
University EHS waste sticker
Questions |
| Water Soluble Waste Solvent (Non-chlorinated) e.eg. Actone, Ethanol, Diethyl ether, Formaldehyde, Methanol, Propanols Denatured Ethanol |
Room E07 (when container is full) |
High density polyethylene container* | |
| Water Insoluble Waste Solvent (Non-chlorinated) e.g. Acetonitrile, Ethyl acetate, Hexane, Petroleum spirits, Terpentine, Toluene |
Room E07 (when container is full) |
High density polyethylene container* | |
| Other Chemical Waste | |||
| Non-Hazardous Liquids e.g. small quantities of water-miscible chemicals, buffers |
Down Sink Chemicals must be both low concentration and pH neutral. |
n/a | Requires prior approval of the Departmental Manager. If in doubt treat the same as Hazardous Chemicals. |
| Non-Hazardous Solids e.g. sucrose, sodium chloride [Back to Non-hazardous] |
Ground Floor Outside Stairs | Industrial Waste Wheelie Bins | |
| Hazardous: Any used or unused chemical/ chemical combination that does not have an appropriate University sticker. e.g. buffers containing chemicals harmful to the environment, photographic developer, formaldehyde waste, DMSO or hazardous solids [Back to Hazardous] |
Room E07 Place flammables in the Yellow Flammable Storage cupboard located in Room E07. |
Preferably original manufacturer's container Otherwise, non-breakable, chemically compatible container |
Complete "Chemicals for Disposal" form and email to elenat@unimelb.edu.au Label container with full chemical name, UN number CAS#, appropriate hazard warnings |
| Empty Chemical Containers [Back to Empty Chemical Containers] |
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| Empty chemical containers (glass or plastic) Except from Class 6.1 Chemicals |
Ground Floor Outside Stairs | Industrial Waste Wheelie Bin | Should be rinsed thoroughly before disposal |
| Empty chemical containers (glass or plastic) From Class 6.1 Chemicals |
Ground Floor Outside Stairs | Industrial Waste Wheelie Bin | Bottles should be rinsed thoroughly using a small amount of water. Discard rinse as cytotoxic waste. |