Guidance Sheet 6: Hazardous Chemical Disposal The purpose of this petroleum and degreasing Chemical wastes must be Guidance sheet is to provide based solvent, oil based packaged in containers that information on how to paints, paint thinners, glues are compatible with the dispose of waste chemicals and adhesives. Chemical waste material. For example, generated in science, waste can also include acids and bases should not material technology, food chemicals that are no longer be stored in metal containers technology, art and other required, have deteriorated and corrosives should be relevant areas in schools. or have passed their use by stored in glass containers. date. Effective disposal procedures Containers should be leak and equipment must be used Waste products generated proof and sealed with to control or reduce the risk from hazardous workplace caps. There must be from waste chemicals in the chemicals often have similar appropriate controls for workplace. hazard characteristics to the waste chemicals in the event chemicals from which they of a spill. These may include: All waste chemicals must be were derived. Because of disposed of on a regular Segregate according to their hazardous nature, the basis and should not be major waste types, such waste products need to be permitted to build up, expire, as organic solvents, properly packaged, labelled or otherwise pose a risk to chlorinated organic and stored prior to disposal. the workplace environment. solvents, inorganic chemicals, bulk oils (e.g. Packaging and labelling cooking or automotive). Waste containers must be Do not overfill liquid labelled to identify their waste containers. contents prior to using them Do not mix solid and as a waste receptacle. liquid waste. Ensure all other labels are removed and replaced with Do not combine organic the following, as a minimum: solvents with toxic metal waste. Product identifier e.g. Hazardous waste organic waste, inorganic Keep recyclable oils management waste, etc. separate from oil Chemical waste can be contaminated with Name, address and produced from many different solvents, halogens, telephone number of the activities in schools, including laboratory chemicals and workplace. science laboratories, fuels. technology workshops and A hazard pictogram Provide secondary art areas. consistent with the containment, either by correct classification of Types of chemical wastes the provision of spill trays the chemical (if include acids, alkalis, or toxic or by bunding. relevant). laboratory chemicals, photographic chemicals,
Guidance Sheet 6: Hazardous Chemical Disposal The purpose of this Guidance sheet is to provide information on how to dispose of waste chemicals generated in science, material technology, food technology, art and other relevant areas in schools. Effective disposal procedures and equipment must be used to control or reduce the risk from waste chemicals in the workplace. All waste chemicals must be disposed of on a regular basis and should not be permitted to build up, expire, or otherwise pose a risk to the workplace environment. Hazardous waste management Chemical waste can be produced from many different activities in schools, including science laboratories, technology workshops and art areas. Types of chemical wastes include acids, alkalis, or toxic laboratory chemicals, photographic chemicals, petroleum and degreasing based solvent, oil based paints, paint thinners, glues and adhesives. Chemical waste can also include chemicals that are no longer required, have deteriorated or have passed their use by date. Waste products generated from hazardous workplace chemicals often have similar hazard characteristics to the chemicals from which they were derived. Because of their hazardous nature, the waste products need to be properly packaged, labelled and stored prior to disposal. Packaging and labelling Waste containers must be labelled to identify their contents prior to using them as a waste receptacle. Ensure all other labels are removed and replaced with the following, as a minimum: Product identifier e.g. organic waste, inorganic waste, etc. Name, address and telephone number of the workplace. A hazard pictogram consistent with the correct classification of the chemical (if relevant). Chemical wastes must be packaged in containers that are compatible with the waste material. For example, acids and bases should not be stored in metal containers and corrosives should be stored in glass containers. Containers should be leak proof and sealed with caps. There must be appropriate controls for waste chemicals in the event of a spill. These may include: Segregate according to major waste types, such as organic solvents, chlorinated organic solvents, inorganic chemicals, bulk oils (e.g. cooking or automotive). Do not overfill liquid waste containers. Do not mix solid and liquid waste. Do not combine organic solvents with toxic metal waste. Keep recyclable oils separate from oil contaminated with solvents, halogens, laboratory chemicals and fuels. Provide secondary containment, either by the provision of spill trays or by bunding.
guide6chemicaldisposal.docx