IUPUI Environmental Health & Safety

Environmental Management > Chemical Waste Disposal at IUPUI

INDIANA UNIVERSITY-PURDUE UNIVERSITY at INDIANAPOLIS
IUPUI
• Department of Environmental Health and Safety •
620 Union Drive, Room 043, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202

Waste Disposal at IUPUI

The proper disposal of chemicals is important for the protection of employee health and the environment. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enforces strict laws that govern the proper management of hazardous waste. The EPA has assessed fines exceeding $1 million against universities and sometimes brings criminal charges against individuals who fail to follow proper procedures. One of the ways that we strive to minimize the University’s impact on the environment is through comprehensive hazardous waste management.

In addition to responding to chemical spills, the EHS waste management program provides instructions, forms, and pickup and disposal of materials that are hazardous. EHS personnel can provide guidance on identification of waste, assistance in large volume waste disposal, and proper disposal methods. EHS has developed a guidebook, The IUPUI Waste Disposal Guidelines, which provides information on segregation, packaging, labeling, and disposal of chemical waste materials.

Materials other than paper, empty containers, food waste, and common household materials must be considered for special disposal rather than disposal in the dumpster. Materials that require disposal through the IUPUI chemical waste disposal program include:
• Laboratory chemicals;
• Janitorial materials such as floor waxes, strippers, and cleaning products;
• All paint and related thinners and solvents;
• Maintenance materials such as degreasing and lubricating agents;
• Water treatment chemicals, sludge - type waste, heating/air-conditioning treatment products;
• Pesticides, herbicides, rodenticides;
• Batteries except common household batteries such as AA, AAA, 9 Volt.

Key issues related to the proper containment, storage and disposal of waste materials include the following.

• Identify the need for disposal through the EHS program.
• Segregate materials in compatible containers. Avoid mixing chemicals unless you know that they have the same disposal method and are compatible.
• Store waste materials in closed containers in appropriate locations, labeled with the waste contents.
• Submit a completed “IUPUI Hazardous Materials Manifest for Intracampus Transportation” form to EHS when waste containers are full and/or ready to be disposed.
• Package compatible materials in boxes with packing materials so that they won’t break during transportation.
• There is no cost to the department for waste disposal except for unusual circumstances such as unlabeled, abandoned, or unpackaged wastes. Containers for waste collection are also available free of charge.

Chemical waste disposal includes; identification of waste materials that are hazardous, proper temporary storage of the materials, and the final disposal of the hazardous wastes. Hazardous wastes are most commonly generated on campus as a result of teaching, research, and facility maintenance activities. If you need assistance in determining whether or not you are producing a hazardous chemical waste, call EHS at (274-4351).

When a laboratory is ready for waste pickup, complete the Waste Manifest form and forward hard copy forms through campus mail to Environmental Health and Safety at Union Building, Room 043.

Federal Regulations

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has defined a hazardous waste as any material that no longer has a use and is either specifically listed in the regulations or meets defined hazard characteristics. A characteristic waste is one that exhibits any of the following characteristics.

Ignitability
• Liquids that have a flash point less than 140oF (60oC)
• Flammable solids
• Flammable condensed gases
• Oxidizers

Corrosivity
• Aqueous solutions with pH less than 2, and greater than 12.5
• Corrodes steel

Reactivity
• Water reactive substances
• Unstable or explosive chemicals
• Cyanide or sulfide containing chemicals that generate toxic gases when exposed to corrosive substances

Toxicity
• Materials that have certain heavy metals or organic constituents above regulated limits (EPA D List)
• Materials that meet or exceed TCLP laboratory testing

The EPA has classified approximately 500 chemicals as hazardous waste in 40 CFR 261. They are divided into these four lists; P list, F list, U list, and D list.