Procedure 2:
Sink Disposal of Non-Hazardous Chemicals

Policy

UVM is committed to managing its hazardous chemicals in a way that prevents their release to the environment. In accordance with this policy, sink disposal of hazardous laboratory chemicals is forbidden.

All material which goes down UVM's drains eventually goes to the Burlington Public Works wastewater treatment facilities which discharge into Lake Champlain. Therefore, laboratory personnel will not discharge into the sewer system any chemical which:

• has a pH less than 5 or greater than 10.5,
• is flammable (flash point less than 140 degrees F),
• is reactive (oxidizers, water reactive, pyrophoric, explosive),
• exhibits a toxic characteristic,
• is listed on UVM's HCOC list,
• is a dye,
• has a strong odor,
• has high viscosity
• is oily,
• or which constitutes a large volume (greater than 10 gallons).

It is acceptable to discharge non-regulated aqueous salt and sugar solutions down the drain, but always err on the side of caution. When deciding how to dispose of these materials, consider:

• the physical, health and environmental hazards associated with the material;
  
• applicable regulatory restrictions; and
  
• how effectively the material can be captured.

If you have specific questions about whether a chemical is suitable for sink disposal, call the ESF at 6-5400 before you pour it down the drain.

Plan

Who:

Laboratory workers and supervisors will make the determination about what materials are appropriate for sink disposal, based on the restrictions described to the left.

Environmental Safety Facility staff will assist with this determination and document on the form below.

When:

Laboratory workers will complete the Request for Regulatory Determination (see below) and consult ESF staff when they are unsure of the appropriate disposal of a particular material or mixture of materials. ESF staff will consult previous sink disposal determinations recorded on the form below or appropriate regulatory and technical references in making this determination. In cases of doubt, the Burlington Public Works Department will be consulted for a final determination.

Where:

This policy will apply to all laboratories covered by the UVM Chemical Hygiene Plan or the UVM Environmental Management Plan

Procedure

Answers to Questions about Chemical Waste

Download a PDF version of the Request for Regulatory Determination (a.k.a. "Sink Disposal Form")

Records

The ESF staff will maintain a database of the Sink Disposal of Liquids Requests for Regulatory Determination for review by laboratory workers, ESF staff and auditors.