Procedure 4:
Trash Disposal of Lab Waste

Policy

Disposing of hazardous laboratory wastes through ordinary trash is forbidden. Keeping hazardous laboratory wastes and ordinary trash separate helps minimize the amount of hazardous waste generated at UVM, and promotes the proper disposal of all waste streams generated in the laboratory.

Laboratory trash is handled primarily by the Physical Plant custodial staff. If a custodian suspects that laboratory chemical waste is being improperly disposed of by a laboratory, they will report the situation to the Environmental Safety Facility.

The Environmental Safety Facility staff is responsible for promptly investigating all reports of improper disposal and resolving any situation where laboratory chemical waste has been improperly disposed.

Plan

Who:

The University, through the professional judgements of the laboratory workers, custodial workers and Environmental Safety Facility staff, is responsible for determining the correct disposal method for all wastes generated in the laboratory.

Laboratory personnel are responsible for understanding the difference between ordinary laboratory trash and hazardous laboratory wastes and the procedures for keeping these waste streams separated.

ESF provide chemical awareness training to custodial staff.

When:

Laboratory workers will consult ESF staff when they are unsure of the appropriate disposal of a particular material or mixture of materials.

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

Reports of improper disposal of hazardous waste investigations are recorded under Risk Management Reports.

Records

Reports of improper disposal of hazardous waste investigations are recorded under Risk Management Reports for at least three years for review by laboratory managers, ESF staff and program auditors.