General Waste

Material free of any apparent or actual pathological/infectious, radioactive or hazardous chemical contamination.

Note:
Some MPW can be decontaminated and then discarded as general waste. Some general waste material can be recycled.

• Office waste -paper, boxes, folders, which can not be recycled
• Disposable cloth, paper, plastic, or glass items
• Decontaminated media or labware
• Styrofoam, bottles and cans which can not be recycled
• Uncontaminated animal bedding

Materials which are NOT GENERAL WASTE

• NEVER use an MPW box to dispose of general waste
• Items which contain radioactive materials or the actual or perceived
• presence of pathogenic agents
• "Sharps" (needles, syringes, scalpel blades, etc.) - see MPW Section
• Empty 5 gallon (or larger) plastic or metal containers, such as used for
• solvents or paint - see Chemical Waste Section
• Waste material which appears to be medical waste

Spills or Emergencies - Call 911

HAZMAT

Chemical Waste

Nonradioactive chemical solids, liquids, or other waste types contaminated with hazardous chemicals.

• Surplus chemicals
• Batteries
• Spent solvent
• Used oil of all types
• Pesticides
• Used chemical spill clean-up materials
• Photographic film processing solutions
• Non-radioactive lead shielding and lead scrap
• Broken thermometers and other items containing mercury
• Cytotoxic agents or prescription drugs (non-controlled substances)
• Empty drums and other containers with a capacity of 5 gallons and greater
• Non-returnable gas cylinders and lecture bottles (18-inch length maximum)

Spills or Emergencies - call 911

When reporting an emergency, first clearly identify who you are. This is important because based on who gives them information, people react differently.

If your call is answered by a law enforcement agency and you are reporting a fire or medical emergency, the call-taker will transfer your call---stay on the line while the call is transferred. The call-taker who answers will need information about the incident

Don't hang up until the call-taker tells you to. Follow any instructions the dispatcher gives you, such as meeting the officers at the door, or flagging down the firefighters at the curb.

Don't hang up until the call-taker tells you to. Follow any instructions the dispatcher gives you, such as meeting the officers at the door, or flagging down the firefighters at the curb.

Hazardous Waste Training

You must be trained in waste classes which address the recognition and control of common biological, chemical and physical hazards before separating, storing, and disposing any toxic materials.

Hazardous material training provides the knowledge and skills necessary to assist with remedial operations surrounding a hazardous materials incident and utilizes a combination of classroom presentation and "hands-on" field exercises. A typical course syllabus covers: hazardous materials recognition, basics of toxicology, employee medical surveillance, chemical hazards, respiratory and personal protection, monitoring equipment and procedures, regulatory compliance (OSHA, SARA, CERCLA, RCRA), confined space entry, operational zone determintation, spill control engineering and decomtamination.

If you are not trained in handling hazardous waste doing so might be hazardous to your health and those around you. Let a professional handle the situation.

Tag and Identify

Use Chemical Waste Tag (NSN-753O-OO-LO7-5985)

When completing the Chemical Waste Tag, identify all major constituents and hazardous components by chemical name, not by acronym or brand name

Seperate Chemical Waste

• Mercury or mercury containing materials from any other waste
• Dioxin or dioxin containing materials from any other waste
• Peroxide forming chemicals from any other waste
• Oxidizers from organic compounds, flammable, combustible, and reducing agents (eg. zinc, alkaline metals)
• Aqueous wastes from organic solvents
• Inorganic acids from:
  1. Organic materials
  2. Caustics and active metals such as sodium, magnesium, and potassium
  3. Chemicals which can generate toxic gases upon contact such as sodium cyanide and iron sulfide

Store Chemical Waste Safely

• Store in the nearest local laboratory while awaiting pickup. Do not put
• waste containers in hallways or other public locations
• Ensure that all chemical waste containers are closed securely except at
• the time waste is added (No funnels left in open containers)
• Place chemical waste containers in a spill containment pan

Dispose Waste Safely

• Do not discard waste chemicals into sink drains, with general waste, or with MPW
• Do not put heavy metal compounds, oxidizers, phenols, strong acids, or bases in a safety can

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