Hazardous waste standard

Waste will be generated regardless of the type of work. Whether this waste is hazardous or not, an integral part of planning new work is planning for the safe and responsible removal of the waste generated.

Do not begin new work until you have determined:

The types of waste you will generate
The amounts of waste you will generate
A plan to dispose of the waste

This page provides guidance on the proper segregation, packaging, and labelling practices for hazardous waste at the University. If after reading this page you still need assistance, contact your supervisor then the Safety Office.

Topics discussed on this page:

Waste segregation and handling guidelines
Waste drop-off and pickup
Locations, hours, and contact information
Definitions

Waste segregation and handling

All hazardous waste generated at the University is disposed of through the Environmental Safety Facility (ESF). For our personnel to efficiently and safely handle the wastes, they must be segregated where they are generated.

Segregation, packaging, and labelling instructions are provided for each type of waste you are likely to generate. The table below identifies the types of waste, and the links in the "Guideline" column link directly to segregation, packaging, and labelling guidance for that category of waste.

Note: Please do not bring household waste to the ESF. The ESF is strictly for the collection and handling of wastes generated at the University of Waterloo.

**Segregation, packaging, and labeling guidance**
Guideline	Scope of guide and examples of waste
Chemical Waste Segregation Guideline	Air reactive: phosphorus, alkyl metals Acids: nitric acid, chromic acid, hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid Bases: sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, potassium nitrate Contaminated solids: soils contaminated with organic or inorganic chemicals Flammable solvents: toluene, xylene, MEK Nanomaterials: nanomaterials, nanomaterials in solution, solids contaminated with nanomaterials (e.g. gloves, pipettes) Organic solvents: carbon tetrachloride Peroxides and oxidizers: hydrogen peroxide, MEK peroxide Water reactive: sodium metal, lithium metal
Biological Waste Segregation Guideline	Animal carcasses (frozen or embalmed) Blood, bodily fluids, tissues, organs, and items contaminated with these materials (e.g. tools, gloves, paper towels) Human body parts (frozen or embalmed) Sharps (e.g. syringes, scalpels) Used pipettes, petri dishes, test tubes, centrifuge tubes
Radiological Waste Segregation Guideline	Contaminated items (e.g. soils, liquids, absorbent materials) Nuclear substances: cesium-137, cobalt-60, hydrogen-3 (tritium)
Sharps and Glass Waste Segregation Guideline	Broken glass Glass, microscope slides Sharps: syringe assemblies, needles, scalpel blades, razor blades
Hazardous Wastes	Batteries: lithium ion, alkaline, nickel metal hydride, lead, mercury E-waste: keyboards, mice, computers, monitors Paints and paint Solvents
Unknowns	Contact the ESF at ext. 35755 for advice. This is especially important if the unknown has chemical residues, crystals, or other evidence of deterioration. Please note, upon acceptance, any unknowns will be charged a fee for characterization.
Mixed Wastes	Biological and chemical wastes mixed: inactivate biological waste and segregate into it's own container Biological and radioactive wastes mixed: inactivate biological waste and dispose of as radioactive waste Chemical and radioactive wastes mixed: segregate and dispose of as radioactive waste Contact the ESF at ext. 35755 for advice.

Waste drop-off and pickup

The most efficient method of removing properly segregated, packaged, and labelled waste from a laboratory is for the individual responsible for generating the waste to bring the waste to one of the waste drop-off locations on campus at a consistent interval. Do not store waste longer than it is needed, it can lead to dangerous situations.

If you intend on removing six (6) or more items of waste from your location, you will need to pre-arrange a waste pick-up, contact the ESF.

The table below provides details on each facility and appropriate drop off time.

Locations, hours, and contact information

**UW Waste drop-off locations and hours of operation**
Facility	Hours
Environmental Safety Facility (ESF) Located along the first floor link to the EIT and ESC buildings in room ESC 150	Monday to Friday: 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Pharmacy Located at 10 Victoria Street South, Kitchener (Room PHR 1016) Do not leave waste unattended	Monday: 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Engineering 6 (E6) Located in E6 (Room 1022) Do not leave waste unattended	Tuesday: 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Douglas Wright Engineering (DWE) Located in DWE (Room 1521A) Do not leave waste unattended	Tuesday: 1:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Optometry	Contact Greg Friday to schedule a pick-up

Contact information

Phone: 519-888-4567 ext. 35755
Email: safety@uwaterloo.ca
Safety Office contact: Greg Friday

Definitions

Anatomical wastes

The anatomical waste stream includes any identifiable body part and also includes pathological specimens, biopsy specimens, and tissue taken during surgery or autopsy.

Biological wastes

Biological wastes are wastes that contain or have been contaminated by a biohazardous agent. This includes:

Human, animal, or plant pathogens
Recombinant nucleic acids
Human or animal, blood, bodily fluids, tissues, cultures, cells, or other potentially infectious material
Contaminated materials include tissue culture dishes and flasks, petri dishes, centrifuge tubes, test tubes, pipettes, vials, absorbent materials, used gloves, face masks, soiled lab coats or clothing.

Chemical waste

Solids, liquids, or gases containing or contaminated with any of the following:

Flammable solvents
Leachable toxic materials (heavy metals, pesticides)
Corrosives (hydrochloric acid, potassium hydroxide pellets)
Reactives (oxidizers, cyanides, sulphides, explosives, unstable materials and water reactive materials – sodium metal, benzoyl peroxide)
Toxic materials including carcinogens, mutagens, teratogens, and other items that are considered chronically toxic
PCB’s
Non-returnable gas cylinders

Hazardous waste

Used electronic waste (e.g. computers, monitors, cell phones, mice, keyboards), batteries (e.g. lithium ion, nickel metal hydride, alkaline, lead, mercury), paints and paint solvents.

Radioactive waste

Any solid, liquid, or gas that contains a nuclear substance or that is contaminated by a nuclear substance.