Laboratory waste disposal Procedure

1. Purpose
This guideline details the procedures to follow in disposing of hazardous waste that is
generated in the laboratory to minimise risks associated with the disposal of laboratory
waste.

2. Procedure
2.1. General Considerations
 All generators of potentially hazardous wastes must ensure segregation, labelling and safe
storage, transport, treatment, and disposal of such wastes.
 Wastes should be minimised wherever possible. Waste chemicals and solvents must be
stored in suitable areas whilst awaiting collection and must not be accumulated. Regular
disposal from the laboratories must be part of the laboratory OHS program.
 Wastes should be segregated and avoid mixing of laboratory wastes wherever possible, as
unexpected reactions may occur.
 Collect all the used chemical waste from the laboratory and store in a Lab liquid waste
collection container.
 Ensure the container is not leaking and there is no spillage on the exterior of the container.
 Untrained staffs are not allowed to handle hazardous wastes and must not be given
Responsibility.
 Personal Protective Equipment should be a consideration when handling chemical waste.

2.2. Disposal of Empty Chemical bottles

 Deface using a permanent marker (or remove completely) the original label on the empty
chemical container.
 Mark the container as “empty”
 Triple rinse the empty chemical container with water
 Place the open container into a Fume Hood to dry completely (at least overnight)
 Discard the container as regular trash.

Attention! Do not drop whole glass containers into the Box in Broken Glass