Waste Disposal - Introduction
Departmental Policy
Waste minimization and segregation must be continually practiced. It is important to be mindful of financial and environmental considerations when deciding how to dispose of your waste - the more harmful the waste, the greater the monetary and environmental costs to dispose of it. Waste should be segregated so that only substances that really need to will take up these valuable resources. It is just as important to be mindful of environmental contamination and ensure that harmful substances are disposed of properly. Time spent segregating waste will save the Department money and will reduce your impact on the environment.
Types of Waste
Hazardous wastes can be divided into a number of broad categories:
- Sharps Waste
- Chemical wastes – Scheduled Drugs and Poisons, Cytotoxic, Solvents, Non-Hazardous, Hazardous, Empty Containers
- Biological wastes
- Radioactive wastes
- General Waste - Non-Contaminated Glass/Plastic Ware, Cardboard, Paper, Foam/ Plastic Packaging Materials, Old Equipment/ Hard Waste, Computers and Related Equipment
Each poses particular waste disposal problems. Staff, who are embarking on new projects or developing new experimental procedures, should first consult their supervisor. Further information on chemical, solvent and radioactive waste can be obtained from the Environmental Health and Safety Unit on 8344 3052.
The University disposal company will not remove improperly packaged and labeled wastes. Therefore such packages will not be accepted at the various holding centres around the University. It is very important that staff who either: generate hazardous wastes or, are responsible for waste disposal procedures within the Department, are aware of these requirements. Incorrectly labeled materials will remain in the Department and every effort will be made to identify the work group responsible. The appropriate labels and containers can be obtained from the Departmental Stores.
Summary Tables
Summary Tables are available for each of the waste categories and these follow the content on each of the respective pages.
Details for each category precede the Summary Tables and these should be checked when devising a waste disposal strategy.