Empty chemical packaging account incompatibilities Label hazardous may only be disposed of in within a class. chemical wastes. general waste if: Fume hoods should not Store and segregate hazardous chemical be used as designated There are no hazardous wastes into waste types waste storage areas. residues (attained via and according to triple rinsing or Hazardous waste disposal Dangerous Goods Class evaporation) compatibility It may be possible to Any labels have been requirements. neutralise acidic, alkaline, removed Review chemical stores oxidising or reducing wastes The lids have been annually, and if required in school laboratories where removed arrange a school-wide staff have the required chemical waste experience and technical Segregation and storage collection. competence. However, if The requirements for the there is any doubt, the waste storage of chemical waste should be removed by a are similar to the licensed contractor. requirements for the storage Schools should arrange, at of workplace hazardous least annually, a school wide chemicals. collection and disposal of Chemical waste is usually hazardous chemicals by a temporarily stored within the licenced chemical disposal school laboratory or company. workshop where it was All EPA approved chemical generated. disposal companies are Storage requirements permitted by the Department include: to collect and dispose of Further assistance can be chemicals from schools. The Using leak-proof obtained by contacting the EPA Prescribed Industrial containers with OHS Advisory Department’s Waste database can be appropriate screw-on Service on 1300 074 715 or accessed . caps (to prevent the release of vapours). A manifest completed prior to disposal will enable the Keeping waste licensed contractor to plan containers closed except when adding waste. for the collection and disposal and to record Provision of drip trays or chemicals that are removed purpose built chemical from the school. storage cupboards / cabinets with inbuilt spill Summary retention. Package and contain Storage of chemicals in hazardous chemical their respective waste in appropriate Dangerous Goods containers. Classes taking into
Empty chemical packaging may only be disposed of in general waste if: There are no hazardous residues (attained via triple rinsing or evaporation) Any labels have been removed The lids have been removed Segregation and storage The requirements for the storage of chemical waste are similar to the requirements for the storage of workplace hazardous chemicals. Chemical waste is usually temporarily stored within the school laboratory or workshop where it was generated. Storage requirements include: Using leak-proof containers with appropriate screw-on caps (to prevent the release of vapours). Keeping waste containers closed except when adding waste. Provision of drip trays or purpose built chemical storage cupboards / cabinets with inbuilt spill retention. Storage of chemicals in their respective Dangerous Goods Classes taking into account incompatibilities within a class. Fume hoods should not be used as designated waste storage areas. Hazardous waste disposal It may be possible to neutralise acidic, alkaline, oxidising or reducing wastes in school laboratories where staff have the required experience and technical competence. However, if there is any doubt, the waste should be removed by a licensed contractor. Schools should arrange, at least annually, a school wide collection and disposal of hazardous chemicals by a licenced chemical disposal company. All EPA approved chemical disposal companies are permitted by the Department to collect and dispose of chemicals from schools. The EPA Prescribed Industrial Waste database can be accessed . A manifest completed prior to disposal will enable the licensed contractor to plan for the collection and disposal and to record chemicals that are removed from the school. Summary Package and contain hazardous chemical waste in appropriate containers. Label hazardous chemical wastes. Store and segregate hazardous chemical wastes into waste types and according to Dangerous Goods Class compatibility requirements. Review chemical stores annually, and if required arrange a school-wide chemical waste collection. Further assistance can be obtained by contacting the Department’s OHS Advisory Service on 1300 074 715 or
guide6chemicaldisposal.docx