General

  • Hazardous waste generated at Oregon State University must be disposed of through a system managed by Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S).
  • The designation "hazardous" refers to any substance that is
    • corrosive
    • flammable
    • reactive
    • toxic
  • It does not refer to material that is only radioactive or biohazardous. 
  • Hazardous waste disposal is funded for University units.
  • Departments are encouraged to employ waste reduction procedures to limit university costs.
  • If there are questions or unusual circumstances, please contact EH&S at 7-2273 for assistance.

Waste Determination

  • Prior to disposal of any chemical waste, OSU must perform an official hazardous waste determination to see if the waste is hazardous. EH&S performs that service for the university community.
  • A short list of non-hazardous chemicals can be found on the EH&S web site; all others should be considered hazardous until the determination has been made.
  • Hazardous waste is incinerated, at off-site locations, whenever possible. Departments are encouraged to employ waste reduction procedures to limit costs. Use these guidelines to prepare and request disposal of hazardous chemical waste.

Containers

  • Collect each waste in a NON-LEAKING container; match size to amount of waste. Use containers chemicals were received in
  • Liquid containers must be less than 5 gallons and 45 pounds (about 3-4 gallons of typical halogenated solvent).
  • Reusable solvent waste containers and single use containers for aqueous/corrosive/metals and misc wastes are avaialble from EH&S.
  • All containers must have non-leaking, tight fitting lids that are not cracked, broken, or chemically damaged.
  • Paper or cardboard containers should be put into sealed plastic bags.
  • Containers should be labeled as soon as waste is put into them, and must be capped at all times when not actively adding waste.  

Labels

  • Chemicals in original non-leaking containers with manufacturer's label will be accepted with a single hazardous waste label for all containers grouped together by hazard.
  • All other wastes require a hazardous waste label, available from EH&S and from the EHS website, completed and attached to each waste container.
  • Do not cover existing labels or markings.
  • Solvent and aqueous containers provided by EHS should have the correct label pre-attached.
  • Fill out the label with: 
    • Your name, building, room number, and contact info.  
    • Identification of contents, including total weight or volume and percent ranges for all constituents, and hazardous waste category.  

Packing

  • Do NOT pack and seal materials in boxes.
  • Waste containers will be examined, and EH&S will then pack and segregate waste according to compatibility.
  • Boxes should be sealable and sturdy enough to transport the material.
  • Boxes exceeding 45 pounds or 18 inches on a side cannot be safely handled by one person, and will not be picked up. 

Pickup

  • To request waste pickup,  use the hazardous waste web form.
  • YOU are responsible for proper containers and labels.
  • Do NOT package waste in boxes.
  • All containers must be less than 45 pounds.
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Tuesday, February 2, 2016