Health and Safety - Section 8

Proper disposal of garbage and recycling is essential for environmental protection and efficient waste management. Waterloo's waste program is divided into several "streams" that you will find at most sorting bins across campus. Do not dispose of hazardous waste (e.g., chemicals, batteries, electronics) or materials contaminated with hazardous waste (used gloves, filters, containers, etc.) with regular garbage. Use designated hazardous waste disposal procedures.

8.1.1. Garbage

Garbage is part of all multi-stream sorting stations. They have black signage and take non-recyclable items like Styrofoam, composite packing (mixed materials), ceramics and porcelain, and more. Large items, such as wood pallets, can be disposed of in the metal dumpster “Garbage only” outside E6, DWE, or ESF.

8.1.2. Recycling

Recycling is part of all multi-stream sorting stations across campus. They have blue signage and take items like plastic, glass, and aluminum containers.

8.1.3. Paper

Paper recycling is part of all multi-stream sorting stations. They have grey signage and take items like printer paper, newsprint and magazines, and other paper materials.

8.1.4. Cardboard

Cardboard can be collapsed/flattened and placed next to any multi-stream sorting station. Large items can be disposed of in the metal dumpster “Cardboard only” outside E6, DWE, or ESF.

Disposing of hazardous waste in a research lab requires careful handling and adherence to safety and regulatory guidelines.  Hazardous waste must be properly segregated and regularly disposed of according to the Hazardous Waste Standard.

There are three main classes of hazardous waste: chemical, biohazardous, and radioactive, all of which have specific procedures for segregation, labelling, and disposal. There are also other classes of hazardous waste that are regularly generated in research labs that require special attention such as sharps and needles, broken glass, batteries, and e-waste and lab equipment.

Key Principles of Hazardous Waste Management in Chemical Engineering Labs:

Segregation: Separate different types of hazardous waste according to their classes (chemical, biohazardous, radioactive, sharps and needles, broken glass, batteries, and e-waste and lab equipment) to facilitate the final disposal and to prevent incompatible materials from reacting. 

Waste Containers: Ensure waste containers are compatible with the stored materials. Make sure the outside of the container is clean and free of contamination. Do not overfill the container, liquid containers should not be filled more than 70%. Use proper bins for solid hazardous waste.

Labelling: Clearly label waste containers with contents, concentration, and generator information using the standard UW label. Use the full name of the chemicals and concentration. A waste profile form is required for hazardous waste containers.

Storage: Store waste in a secure, well-ventilated area, away from heat and ignition sources. A dedicated chemical storage cabinet for hazardous waste is preferred over storage with regular chemicals.

Disposal: Dispose of hazardous waste regularly at the designated drop-off locations. Avoid long-term storage in the lab. Use secondary containment when transporting liquid chemicals. Follow established procedures for waste drop-off, including booking and transport of hazardous waste, as described in the next Section.

Hazardous waste generated in Chemical Engineering labs must be properly segregated, as detailed in the next sections, before final disposal. For final disposal, hazardous waste must be dropped off at one of the designated locations listed below:

Notes:

• Appointments are required and can be scheduled using the link below.

Hazardous waste drop-off booking website

• A hazardous waste profile form must be submitted with the hazardous waste. 

• Hazardous waste must be transported using a sturdy cart with at least a 1-inch lip, and the bottles containing liquids must be placed in chemical-resistant secondary containment.
• Carts are available for borrowing from the waste drop-off locations in DWE and E6. If you don't have a cart, you can transport one bottle at a time using a bottle carrier, keeping one hand free to safely open doors.
• Do not wear lab gloves outside the lab.

In their original container, chemicals and reagents, either solids or liquids, can be disposed of in the hazardous waste drop-off location during a regular drop-off appointment. Commercial products such as paint, cleaning products, etc. can also be disposed of in this manner. A waste profile form is not required for chemicals and reagents in their original container. 

If more than six chemical bottles need to be disposed of, please arrange a special pick-up time by contacting ESF at esf@uwaterloo.ca. 

Solid waste contaminated with chemicals such as sample vials, gloves, pipette tips, glassware, etc. must be disposed of using the solid hazardous waste bins (square buckets lined with plastic bags). 

Solid waste must not contain liquids. Pourable liquids must be decanted from vials and containers before disposal in the solid waste bins. 

Solid hazardous waste bins are typically labelled “Articles contaminated with” followed by the description of the contaminants/chemicals.

Solid waste containing nanomaterials must be double-bagged and the bin must include the word “NANO” at the top of the label. 

Empty chemical bottles should be triple rinsed and the rinsate should be treated as liquid hazardous waste. The bottle could be reused for waste storage or disposed of in the recycling stream once the label has been defaced. Empty bottles that cannot be cleaned should be brought to the waste drop-off location during a regular drop-off appointment.

Segregate highly reactive materials such as peroxides, water reactive, and pyrophorics. Contact esf@uwaterloo.ca for guidance on how to dispose of these materials.

Liquid hazardous waste presents additional challenges due to its higher reactivity when compared to solid waste. Liquid hazardous waste must be segregated by chemical compatibility. Below are common classes of liquid hazardous waste that should not be mixed with other chemicals:

1. Halogenated organic solvents: Organic solvents containing halogen atoms (fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine), such as perfluorohexane, chloroform, carbon tetrabromide, diiodomethane. These compounds are subject to strict regulations due to their toxicity and persistence in the environment, requiring special disposal methods.
2. Oxidizing Acids: Concentrated oxidizing acids such as nitric, sulfuric, and perchloric acid are highly reactive and should not be mixed with any other wastes.
3. Strong Inorganic Acids: Aqueous solutions containing above a few percent of strong inorganic acids such as hydrochloric and phosphoric acid are also highly reactive and should not be mixed with other wastes.
4. Strong Inorganic Bases: Aqueous solutions containing above a few percent of strong inorganic bases such as sodium hydroxide should not be mixed with any other wastes. 
5. When possible, avoid mixing water with organic solvents.  

Important Notes:

• Ensure waste containers are compatible with the stored materials. Use plastic bottles for corrosive materials.
• Make sure the outside of the container is clean and free of contamination.
• Do not overfill the container. Liquid containers should not be filled more than 70%.
• Clearly label waste containers with contents, concentration, and generator information using the standard UW label. Use the full name of the chemicals and concentration.
• The handling of aqua regia, piranha solution, hydrofluoric acid, and perchloric acid requires an SOP which should include a procedure for neutralization before disposal. 
• Prior to disposing of highly reactive materials, such as explosives, peroxides, water reactive, and pyrophorics, contact esf@uwaterloo.ca for guidance on how to dispose of these materials.

If the components of the waste are unknown and the waste profile form/label cannot be completed, the waste must be characterized prior to disposal. The characterization service is provided by ESF and there is a cost of $150/bottle for the testing.

Unknowns must be brought to the waste drop-off location accompanied by an Unknown Chemical Analysis Billing Sheet.

Contact ESF at esf@uwaterloo.ca  for guidance.

A material that contains or is contaminated with a biohazardous agent must follow the biological waste segregation guidelines. The flow chart below outlines how biohazardous waste can be properly segregated. If after reviewing the flowchart, you are unsure how to classify your waste, please contact the waste facility at esf@uwaterloo.ca.

Any solid, liquid, or gas that contains or is contaminated with a radioactive substance must follow the radioactive waste segregation guidelines. The flow chart below outlines how radioactive waste can be properly segregated. If after reviewing the flowchart, you are unsure how to classify your waste, please contact the waste facility at esf@uwaterloo.ca.

Disposing of sharps, such as needles, syringes with needles, cannulas, razor/utility blades, and lancets, requires careful handling to ensure safety and prevent injury or infection. Sharps should never be thrown away in regular trash or recycling bins due to the risk of injury to sanitation workers and contamination of recycling processes. Here are the general steps to properly dispose of sharps:

Sharps container: Always use a designated sharps container for used needles and other sharps. These containers are puncture-proof and rigid to safely contain sharps. You can obtain sharps containers at the waste drop-off locations in E6, DWE, or ESF.

Dispose of Sharps Immediately After Use: Place used needles, syringes, lancets, and other sharps directly into the container without trying to recap, bend, break, or remove needles from syringes.

Final Disposal: Once the container is full, take it to the waste drop-off locations in E6, DWE, or ESF.

Broken glass, such as lab glassware, microscope slides, glass pipettes, etc., should never be thrown away in regular trash or recycling bins due to the risk of injury to sanitation workers. Here are the general steps to properly dispose of clean/uncontaminated broken glass.

Broken Glass container: Always use a designated broken glass container for clean/ uncontaminated broken glass. These containers are puncture-proof and rigid to safely contain glass. You can obtain sharps containers at the waste drop-off locations in E6, DWE, or ESF.

Final Disposal: Once the container is full, dispose of it in the metal dumpster “Garbage only” outside E6, DWE, or ESF.

Note: If the broken glass is contaminated with chemicals, it is considered Solid Hazardous Waste, and it should be treated as such.
 

Disposing of batteries properly is essential for environmental protection and safety. Here’s how you can dispose of different types of batteries:

8.12.1.    Single-Use Batteries (alkaline; zinc-carbon; zinc-air; silver oxide): 
Single-use batteries can be disposed of in a dedicated battery container and brought to the waste drop-off locations in E6, DWE, or ESF for final disposal.

 
8.12.2.    Rechargeable Batteries (lithium-Ion, lithium polymer, nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride): 
Rechargeable batteries must have their ends taped and/or be individually bagged to prevent short-circuiting and reduce the risk of fire.
Rechargeable batteries should be brought to the waste drop-off locations in E6, DWE, or ESF for final disposal. 
 

8.12.3.    Lead Acid Batteries:
Lead acid batteries such as car batteries should be brought to the waste drop-off locations in E6, DWE, or ESF for final disposal.
 

The disposal of assets, such as computers, lab equipment, furniture, etc., which are obsolete, worn out, damaged beyond repair, or no longer meet the requirements of the department is governed by by Policy 74. 
Please contact Charles Dal Castel before disposing of assets so an asset disposal form can be completed. 

There are designated areas in E6 (loading dock in E6-1911) and DWE (heavy lab in DWE-1521) to collect e-waste, lab equipment, and furniture before its final disposal by central stores.

Make sure that all liquids (water, oils, freon, etc., if any) have been drained from all assets, and hard drives have been wiped or removed from computers, before bringing them to the designated areas.