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THE ORCBS > Hazardous Waste > Programs & Guidelines > Waste Disposal Guide >
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Specific
Labeling and Packaging ProceduresBattery Type |
Uses |
Alkaline |
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Nickel/Cadmium (NiCd) |
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Lithium ion or nickel hydride |
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Lead acid batteries |
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Mercury or silver oxide |
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Batteries should be segregated into these categories when storing and when a request for a pick-up is made. (Battery type is usually indicated on battery labels.) To prevent a buildup of heat or sparks, batteries larger than 9-volt should be stored such that the terminals are not touching.
Batteries may be collected in any container with which they are compatible, but must be sent for disposal within one year of start of collection. Label the container with the words "used batteries" or "spent batteries for recycling."
Alkaline batteries may be discarded in the general refuse. They are not harmful to the environment and the cost of actual recycling far outweighs the benefit.
Animal Waste Contaminated with Hazardous Chemicals
PCB, dioxin and aflatoxin contaminated animal carcasses and bedding require special handling and will be picked up by the ORCBS. See pathological waste disposal procedures.
Gas Cylinders
Promptly return discarded gas cylinders to the vendor to regain your deposit on the cylinder and minimize rental charges. Complete a Materials Return Authorization form and contact General Stores for this service. Those that cannot be returned to the manufacturer will be picked up by the ORCBS.
Explosive Materials
Potentially explosive materials, such as dry picric acid or peroxide contaminated solvents will be picked up separately from other wastes. Contact the ORCBS as soon as possible if you discover any potentially explosive materials. See Explosives Materials List (Appendix K).
Bulk Chemicals (20-, 30- or 55-gallon Drums)
Barrels should be in good condition, have workable bungs and be DOT approved. Original shipping containers are DOT approved for disposal of the used or discarded original material. DO NOT store metal barrels outside where they will rust. DO NOT pack smaller containers of chemicals into a large drum for disposal.
Agricultural Chemicals (Pesticides, Herbicides, Fungicides, etc.)
Return unused agricultural chemicals to the manufacturer for disposal. Many companies will accept them. Alternatively, retain the material and use it as it was intended. If the manufacturer will not accept the material or you can not use it as intended, prepare a packing list of all agricultural chemicals designated for disposal. Include on the list the common name, the chemical name, the MSU number from the master list, the container size and the number of containers for each chemical. Experimental agricultural chemicals must be identified with a chemical name. Additionally, list the manufacturer’s contact person and phone number or any paperwork verifying their nonacceptance of the material for return. Mail the information to the Hazardous Waste Coordinator, C124 Research Complex-Engineering, Campus. Your list will be mailed to our disposal vendor for approval. You will then be contacted to arrange for a pick-up.
Asbestos
Asbestos, including asbestos which is immersed or fixed in a natural or artificial binder (i.e., cement, plastic, asphalt, resins or mineral ore), shall be packaged wet in a minimum of two, 6-mil nonrigid plastic bags or other rigid containers that are dust and sift-proof. Sharp or blunt edges likely to cause puncture or tears in the shipping container shall be adequately protected to prevent container failure. For large volumes of asbestos, contact the Physical Plant.
Contaminated Debris From Laboratories
This includes gloves, paper, plastic, and other inert debris contaminated with hazardous chemicals. Whether this material is a hazardous waste depends on how it is generated, the contaminants and the concentration of contaminants. If the debris contains any of the constituents in concentrations greater than those listed in Appendix H (heavy metals, organics and pesticides) or Appendix I (severely toxic compounds) it is a hazardous waste. If it comes from the cleanup of a hazardous material spill it is a hazardous waste. If it is neither of these, it is a nonhazardous waste and may be disposed of in the dumpster.
In some cases it is not prudent to dispose of nonhazardous waste into the dumpster. For example, ethidium bromide (mutagen) or phenol (poison) contaminated solid debris is best disposed of by incineration. In general, any waste contaminated with trace levels of a poison or carcinogen should be collected for incineration.
Non-contaminated Debris from Laboratories
Work practices must be followed by all University Department laboratory staff in disposing and separating nonhazardous waste from hazardous waste. The laboratory is responsible for separating hazardous and nonhazardous waste and preventing accidental exposure of custodians to hazardous materials. Do NOT place hazardous waste, sharps or broken glass into the normal paper waste receptacles.
Empty Bottles in Hallway:
- Deface the chemical label on ALL empty chemical containers placed in the hallway for custodial pickup by crossing out the chemical name on the container label.
- Solvent Bottles: For those bottles placed in the hallway for custodial pickup, rinse and/or air-dry in a chemical fume hood until they are free of liquid and odor. All rinsate should be disposed of as a hazardous waste.
- Corrosive Bottles: All corrosive liquid bottles should be triple rinsed with water and free of hazards and odor. Collect rinsate as hazardous waste.
- Rinsed and/or clean all bottles formerly containing hazardous powders or solid chemicals. Collect rinsate as hazardous waste.
Empty 5-Gallon Metal Cans
- Place cap on empty 5-gallon metal cans and place can in the hallway or leave in the lab for disposal via ORCBS. Do not leave 5-gallon cans uncapped.
- Empty cans do not need to be empty to dryness like glass bottles. Residual liquid is acceptable in 5-gallon metal cans.
- Label all broken glass containers “Nonhazardous Waste” “Broken Glass Only. ” ORCBS has broken glass container labels available.
- Do NOT place hazardous waste, medical waste (sharps) or hazardous chemicals into the broken glass container. Contaminated glass that is hazardous must be disposed of via the ORCBS as hazardous waste. Do NOT place miscellaneous paper/plastic trash into the broken glass container.
- Wear cut resistant gloves when handling the broken glass container.
- Labs may carry their own broken glass container to the building lodal (dumpster) if they desire.
Housekeeping
- Clean up all powders on the floor as well as chemical spills. Custodial staff is not responsible for cleaning up unknown powders or chemical spills on the floor.
- A “Trouble Tag” will be used by custodial staff when conditions prevent them from picking up trash, broken glass, empty bottles or performing routine cleaning.
Fluorescent Tubes/Incandescent Bulbs
If you have commercially available fluorescent tubes or other lighting wastes, they should be surrendered to the custodial staff in your building. If the lighting waste are highly pressurized, out of the ordinary, or broken, then a pickup request should be submitted to the ORCBS. For bulk containers, see the ORCBS website for additional information.
Recyclable Materials
Items suitable for recycling such as newspapers, magazines, corrugated cardboard, printer cartridges and many other paper products, contact the Office of Recycling and Waste Management at http://www.recycle.msu.edu.
Laboratory Equipment
In general, equipment must be free of all associated chemical, radiological, or biological hazards. Uncontaminated laboratory equipment may be sent to the MSU Surplus Store. Requirements for decontamination of laboratory equipment prior to acceptance by MSU Surplus will depend on the hazards associated with the equipment. In all cases, it is the responsibility of the Principal Investigator or his/her representative to decontaminate the equipment and remove hazard-warning labels from the equipment PRIOR to pickup by MSU Surplus. All laboratory equipment must have a completed Equipment Release Form attached.
Equipment bearing mercury will not be accepted by MSU Surplus. Equipment that previously held radiological materials must be surveyed by ORCBS staff prior to release to MSU Surplus. MSU Surplus will accept lab glassware placed in a box with the Equipment Release Form attached to the box. Glassware and other small items with visible or obvious chemical residues will not be accepted by MSU Surplus or sold to the public.
For more specific information regarding policies for acceptance of equipment or other materials by MSU Surplus, visit the ORCBS website.
