Information regarding Duke University's Chemical Waste Policy is available from the OESO. The most recent changes in Chemical Waste Practices are available from: http://www.safety.duke.edu/EnvPrograms/ComplianceAssist/default.htm. Subjects covered below are specifically applicable to disposal of waste chemicals in the Department of Chemistry.
Chemicals of different hazard groups require different disposal methods. Therefore every effort must be made by the researcher to help identify the hazards associated with a chemical prior to disposal. Hazard categories of interest are as follows:
In order to dispose of chemical or radioactive waste your lab must be registered with the Environmental Programs Division of the OESO. Upon registration your lab is issued a generator ID and barcode labels which you will need for waste disposal procedures. If you do not know the generator ID for your lab you can contact the Gross Chemistry Safety Coordinator or the OESO directly. Contact the OESO (684-2794) if you need additional barcode labels for your laboratory.
OESO updated policy and procedures for disposing of hazardous wastes on 2/15/10. These updates include a revised list of chemicals that are considered to be hazardous (called the P waste list), a revised policy and procedure (specifically section 3.5), and a revised waste log. Be sure to follow the new procedures.
The OESO expects each lab to put forth their best effort in minimizing waste generation in the lab. To assist in the effort the OESO operates a chemical exchange program to provide, free of charge, unused chemicals to laboratories at Duke. The inventory for the exchange is created from unopened chemicals received as waste from the University and Medical Center. Call the OESO for more information about inventory and procedures for obtaining chemicals from the exchange.
Whenever possible, halogenated and non-halogenated solvents should be placed in separate containers for waste disposal. This is because the disposal cost for halogenated materials is significantly higher than that for non-halogenated materials. Flame resistant, five gallon, red cans can be obtained from the OESO for this purpose. These cans are to be used only for solvents and should never be used for disposing of any heavy metals, reactives, acids, bases or bromine. Cans are marked with either yellow (for non-halogenated solvents) or green (for halogenated solvents) tape. In addition, each can has an associated (yellow or green) inventory sheet with a place for a single barcode label and room to indicate the volume and name of each waste solvent added to the can. Each laboratory can have a maximum of four red cans for disposal of solvents.
Solvent cans are picked up by OESO personnel. To let the OESO know that your solvent cans are full, sign-up outside the elevator on the third floor. Cans must be barcoded and paperwork filled out to the best of your ability, otherwise your solvent can will not be picked up. Due to federal and state regulations governing disposal, it is vitally important that the contents of each red can are accurately reflected on the paperwork.
You may download the forms in PDF format at the following links:
Non-Halogenated Waste Pickup Form
Solvent Can Pickup Request Sheet
To dispose of chemical waste not collected in the red cans, each item will need to be barcoded and inventoried on an associated Waste Chemical Pickup Request form (sample). You will need to list the proper name of the chemical (abbreviations and chemical structures are not acceptable) and the size of the container on the pickup request form. Blank forms are kept outside the elevator on the third floor. See the Departmental Safety Coordinator if more forms are needed. Completed pickup request forms can be faxed to the OESO or sent through the campus mail. Once your request is received the OESO will process the request and pickup your waste. In the event that your request is not properly completed, or there are chemicals on the request form which are not already in the OESO database, pickup will be delayed. Under normal conditions your waste should be picked up within 5-10 days after its submission. Once you have submitted a request for pickup, keep the waste in an easily identified area and let at least one other lab member know that you are expecting a pickup and the location of the waste materials. Be sure, also, that the waste is not in a leaking, or improperly sealed container. If there are any problems with the condition or containment of the material you will have to resolve them before pickup is completed.
Waste containing arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, selenium or silver are particularly difficult and expensive to dispose of. Consequently, specific information giving the amounts and types of metals present the in the chemical waste must be included on the chemical pickup request form. If the information is not provided on the form, the OESO will contact your lab prior to pickup to obtain the missing information. If the exact amount of a metal in the waste is not known a good estimate should be made based on how much material was used in the experiment generating the waste.
Mercuric cyanide does not currently have a disposal route in the United States. Labs are strongly encouraged to find a substitute for this chemical. In the event that your lab must use mercuric cyanide, please get approval from the OESO prior to purchasing the material.
The contents of lecture bottles must be identified prior to disposal with the OESO. Every effort should be made to recycle a used, but not empty, lecture bottle by giving it to another researcher when your lab no longer needs the material.
Used silica may be left in a hood, to evaporate solvent, packaged in thick plastic bags or sealed drums and disposed of in the dumpster at the loading dock provided that it does not contain other hazardous chemicals. If it does contain hazardous chemicals dispose following guidelines for chemical waste. Do not dispose of silica gel in trash cans or leave it for housekeeping to remove.
When you rinse glassware with a solvent, such as acetone, collect the rinse solvent in an appropriate container. Preferably; rinse your glassware over a funnel that empties into a container such as a bottle or used acetone can. The container should then be tagged for waste pickup using normal procedures. Our general policy is that nothing except water should go down the drain.
Large plastic containers are available in the hallways on the third floor for the disposal of clean bottles and cans. To avoid exposing housekeeping staff to chemicals, any bottles or cans that you place in these containers must be thoroughly cleaned and rinsed. Place no other materials in these containers.
Place all broken glass items in the cardboard containers designated for the disposal of broken glass, which are located in the hallways on the third floor. You may also use any cardboard box to dispose of broken glassware in your laboratory. The box should be properly labeled, and taped shut when it is full.
Used needles cannot be placed intact in regular waste receptacles since they may injure persons who must handle our trash. Use only containers specifically designated for disposal of syringes and needles. These containers are available in the Chemistry Storeroom. Full containers of used syringes and needles should be tagged as chemical waste as described above.
Used pump oil should be tagged as chemical waste as described above.
In order to avoid exposing Housekeeping staff to unusually odoriferous trash, wrap up the trash before putting it in waste baskets. Special disposal bags are available at the Stockroom free of charge. If you are a potential producer of such trash, pick up a supply of these bags to keep on hand in your lab at all times. Wrap up all offensive materials in these bags and tie them up tight before discarding them in the trash.
DISPOSAL OF CHEMICALS IN THE TRASH IS FORBIDDEN. If the housekeeping staff sees (or smells) chemicals in the trash, they will not pick it up. The Administrative Coordinator will be notified, and the lab occupants will be contacted to correct the problem.
