Safety Office, Commissary Building
University of Waterloo
200 University Avenue West
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1
Phone 519 888 4567 Ext. 33587
Fax 519 886 8082
Email: safety@uwaterloo.ca
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:
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:
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.
If you are responsible for segregating, packaging or labelling hazardous waste, please complete the online training module in LEARN: Hazardous Waste Segregation (SO2035).
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.
Guideline | Scope of guide and examples of waste |
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Chemical Waste Segregation Guideline |
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Sharps and Glass Waste Segregation Guideline |
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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 |
Contact the ESF at ext. 35755 for advice. |
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 it 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.
Waste drop-off procedures have changed. Please ensure waste bottles (liquids and solids) are accompanied by a Waste Profile Form. The form should mimic the label, indicating percentages and concentrations of materials within the containers.
Download the Waste Profile Form.
If you intend on removing six or more items of waste from your location, you will need to pre-arrange a waste pick-up, contact the ESF.
At this time, an appointment is still required to dispose of waste at our waste facilities. This means that all drop-offs and pick-ups must be scheduled in advance using Microsoft Outlook and everyone attending a waste facility on campus will be expected to follow the traffic flow guidelines for that area. Individuals without an appointment will be turned away.
Booking an appointment:
Effective start of Spring 2022 term (May 2, 2022) the waste booking calendar has moved from outlook to sharepoint. Find the links for booking in the table below. Bookings must be made using a @uwaterloo.ca email.
Labelling:
All items must be fully labelled and the waste profile form filled out before leaving the lab to come to the waste facility.
Transporting:
All chemical waste must be transported in secondary containment. See the Transporting Waste Guideline for more details.
Lab cleanouts:
Lab cleanouts require more resources than can be accommodated during a regular waste drop-off appointment. These must be scheduled outside of facility operating hours by contacting esf@uwaterloo.ca.
Facility | Hours |
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Environmental Safety Facility (ESF)
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Monday - Friday: 11:00 am to 12:00 pm Book ESC-150 Appointments |
Pharmacy
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Monday: 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm Book PHR 1016 Appointments |
Engineering 6 (E6)
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Tuesday: 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Book E6 1022 Appointments |
Douglas Wright Engineering (DWE)
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Tuesday: 1:00 pm - 1:50 pm Book DWE 1521A Appointments |
Optometry, BMH, RAC1, RAC2, EV1, EV2, EV3, EV4 |
Contact esf@uwaterloo.ca to schedule a pick-up |
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 are wastes that contain or have been contaminated by a biohazardous agent. This includes:
Solids, liquids, or gases containing or contaminated with any of the following:
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.
Any solid, liquid, or gas that contains a nuclear substance or that is contaminated by a nuclear substance.
Safety Office, Commissary Building
University of Waterloo
200 University Avenue West
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1
Phone 519 888 4567 Ext. 33587
Fax 519 886 8082
Email: safety@uwaterloo.ca
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is centralized within our Office of Indigenous Relations.