Hazardous Waste Management & Disposal - cont.
Other guidelines include:
Fume hoods must not be used for evaporative disposal of volatile chemicals.
-
Unlabeled containers of chemicals and solutions from projects or experiments should undergo prompt disposal. If partially used, they should not be reopened since some substances form unstable decomposition products.
-
Before the termination of a research project, chemicals that have been used or processed during the project must be properly disposed of or returned to storage. This procedure should be coordinated through EH&S. Proper disposal of all accumulated hazardous chemicals will be the responsibility of the department or research project.
-
EH&S-approved disposal by recycling, consolidation, or chemical decontamination or deactivation (neutralization, precipitation, etc.) should be used whenever possible.
-
Empty, uncapped chemical containers, free of visible residue and contamination, can be placed in the regular trash unless the contents were extremely hazardous.
Waste Minimization
As a generator of hazardous waste, Montana Tech is legally required to institute a hazardous waste minimization program to reduce the volume or toxicity of hazardous waste, and all departments and programs must participate whenever possible. Refer to Appendix E, Waste Minimization Guide in the Chemical Hygiene Plan. Montana Tech’s chemical purchasing plan is designed to reduce the amount and toxicity of chemicals being brought onto the campus. Other waste minimization methods include:
-
Reduce to a minimum the number of different products used.
-
Implement micro-level or small-scale operations.
-
Order chemicals in smaller containers, and order only the amount of material needed for a project.
-
Substitute less toxic materials whenever possible.
-
Properly segregate and consolidate wastes.
-
Recycle, reclaim, and reuse hazardous materials whenever possible.
-
Improve housekeeping practices to reduce the production of waste. For example, arrange for prompt repairs of leaking equipment or spill cleanup.
|
