SECTION C6: Chemical Waste Disposal

• Introduction
• Scope and Application
• Program Description
• Roles and Responsibilities
• For More Information

Introduction

Princeton University generates small quantities of a broad spectrum of waste classified as hazardous under state and federal law. This material is generated as a result of research and teaching activities in the various science and engineering departments (e.g., Molecular Biology, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, etc.) as well as from maintenance and engineering operations.

The management of chemical waste is regulated by several governmental agencies including the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the United States Department of Transportation, and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP).

The packaging, transportation, and disposal of these wastes is performed by federally permitted hazardous waste disposal firms. During a waste pickup, materials are segregated by hazard class and packaged in drums containing absorbent material (lab packs) or combined in large (bulk) containers. Chemical waste pickups are scheduled on a monthly basis.

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Scope and Application

This procedure applies to any chemical substances generated from University operations (including laboratories, administrative units, and physical plant operations) that are classified as hazardous based on the criteria described in the Chemical Waste instructions. A hazardous substance becomes a hazardous waste when it has served or can no longer serve its original intended use and is discarded or stored in lieu of being discarded.

This procedure does not apply to the disposal of medical or radioactive wastes. Disposal of these materials is discussed in Section D2, Biohazardous and Special Waste Disposal and in the Radiation Safety pages.

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Program Description

Disposal Policy

The responsibility for determining whether or not a waste must be classified as hazardous rests with the generator. The federally established scheme for this determination is described below in the Chemical Waste instructions. Assistance in making the determination is available from the Office of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS).

The costs of routine chemical waste disposal are not charged back to generators in order to avoid the major incentive for improper disposal. The costs associated with characterizing unknown materials and for disposing of improperly stored materials (e.g., outdated peroxidizable ethers, dry picric acid, deteriorated or unlabeled containers, etc.) are borne by the generator’s department.

Identification, Packaging, Storage and Disposal Procedures

See the Chemical Waste web page for instructions and additional information.

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Roles and Responsibilities

Department

• Identify all departmental activities that could result in the generation of hazardous waste
• Ensure that all individual generators of hazardous waste within the department are aware of University policies and procedures for proper disposal of hazardous wastes
• Distribute information on hazardous waste disposal (including pickup schedules) to all applicable parties

Supervisors

• Ensure that all individuals involved in activities that generate waste are aware of and follow the waste disposal policies and procedures.
• Periodically review current practices to minimize the quantities of hazardous waste generated
• Ensure that all chemical wastes are disposed of properly at the conclusion of a project and that wastes are properly identified for disposal before the responsible individual leaves the University

EHS

• Administer hazardous waste disposal services contracts
• Provide technical advice on proper waste classification, storage and disposal practices
• Maintain disposal records and generate state-required reports of hazardous waste activity
• Provide annual Chemcial Waste Operations training for those individuals charged with managing waste storage areas.

Individual

• Follow established practices for disposal of chemical wastes
• Properly dispose of all wastes at the conclusion of a project and before leaving the University

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For More Information

Contact the Hazardous Waste Manager at 258-6271.

Visit the EHS Chemical Waste Information web page.

The following references are available through EHS:

• New Jersey Administrative Code (NJAC 7:26-7.1 et seq.) Hazardous Waste, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
• Waste Management Manual for Laboratory Personnel American Chemical Society
• Less is Better - Laboratory Chemical Management for Waste Reduction American Chemical Society
• Laboratory Waste Minimization and Pollution Prevention - A Guide for Teachers

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