Body
Question
How should chemical waste streams be stored?
Answer
Satellite accumulation areas should have waste organized by type.
- Common waste streams
- Acids, Bases, Non-Halogenated Solvents, Halogenated solvents, Inorganic solids, Organic solids, Other
- Avoiding multiple same waste streams in the same storage area
- Once a waste stream container is 80% full, fill out a hazardous waste pickup request with EH&S to have the container disposed of
- Chemicals should not be held on to and disposed of as a group
- Store waste streams in separate secondary containers to prevent reactions
- Explosive waste streams should be stored separately from all other waste, especially flammable waste
- Chemical waste should be stored in a suitable container with a tightly-closing lid to keep the container closed during storage
- Items of Note
- All waste streams should be labelled according to its contents
- Waste labels and color-coded tags can be obtained from EH&S
- RED – Acids
- BLUE – Base
- YELLOW – Non-Halogenated Solvent
- ORANGE – Halogenated Solvent
- GREEN - Other
- Chemical waste should be labeled with the words “Hazardous Waste”, name and location of generator, date of initial accumulation, composition and physical state of the waste, EPA hazard code
- Labels should be filled out to the best of your knowledge
- Composition should be calculated once the bottle is 80% full
- Waste stream containers should be stored in secondary containment
- Waste should be stored in a secure area and proper PPE should be used while handling
- EH&S recommends reusing or recycling appropriate empty containers when possible
- New waste containers can be obtained through EH&S in Churchill #188
- Compressed gas cylinders should be returned to the manufacturer when possible
- Non-returnable cylinders require EH&S disposal
- Containers to be considered empty
- Liquid container – no liquid can drain from the container when tilted in any direction
- Solid container – (powder, sludge, grease, thick resin, crystals, etc.) – the walls of the container must be scraped clean and cannot contain any adhered or encrusted materials
- Aerosol container – must have its contents and pressure completely dispensed, the spray mechanism in place and functional