Chemical Waste Disposal
Procedures
Document Control
Document Created by
Shane McAteer
Ver. 1.0 23/07/2012
Gary Stratmann
Ver. 2.1 08/01/2013
Last Updated by
Introduction
This chemical waste procedure document covers the safe disposal of
chemical wastes whilst implementing industry best practice in wastes
management.
Underpinning this document are UCL’s commitments to three core values: the
prevention of pollution, compliance with legislative requirements and continual
improvement.
The list of parties involved in chemical waste disposal referred to in this
document:
All waste producers have a legal responsibility to ensure that waste is
produced, stored, transported and disposed of without harming the
environment. This is your “duty of care”.
UCL Facilities and Workplace Services, a division of Estates, supplies a
wide range of business support services such as cleaning, domestic and
special waste management, security, mail services and telephony services.
Waste managers working from within UCL Facilities and Workplace Services
have the responsibility to advise waste producers and manage waste
contractors and suppliers in delivering required service standards.
Contractors and suppliers are employed to deliver safe and compliant;
collection, transport and disposal of wastes produced by UCL as requested by
Facilities and Workplace Services waste managers.
2
UCL Routine Chemical Waste Collections
Chemical waste produced at UCL are categorised as either Bulk solvents or
Laboratory smalls. In order for UCL to reduce the cost and environmental
degradation from this disposal service both bulk solvents and lab smalls are
collected on the same vehicle where possible.
A list of bulk and lab small collection dates for each building managed
by MITIE’s contract is available on the UCL website
Described below is the procedure for the collection of both these types of
wastes.
Bulk Chemical Collection
Bulk chemicals are solvents and other substances contained within UN
approved 25L plastic drums for liquids and 30L plastic clip top drums for
solids. These are provided on request and exchanged upon collection of the
full ones on the scheduled collection day. The bulk collection takes place
fortnightly on a Wednesday or weekly on a Wednesday depending upon the
requirement.
Bulk solvents are either stored within the laboratory for direct collection or
stored centrally. Consult with your chemical waste disposal (building)
representative for clarification.
In order to use this disposal route the following procedure must be followed.
Bulk collection procedure:
1. Check the chemical waste collection schedule to find out when the next
collection is for your building. (See Appendix 1)
2. Using the provided bulk solvent collection list template (See Appendix
2), the waste producer must fill in all the detail requested. E.g. the
number of drums (25 or 30L) of each solvent they wish to dispose of
and number of replacement empties required.
3. This electronic list must be emailed to the nominated building
representative in charge of chemical disposal one week before the next
scheduled bulk collection day.
4. The nominated representative will collate all the lists from various
departments, who have bulk chemicals to dispose of, around your
building and send this information to UCL customer service help desk.
Email: efdservices@ucl.ac.uk This list must be emailed to UCL’s
customer services a minimum of 3days prior to the collection
date.
5. UCL’s Facilities Services will compile an inventory of wastes to be
collected from your building and send this information to MITIE’s Help
desk. Only wastes listed on the original request will be collected
on the collection day.
6. MITIE’s helpdesk will arrange for the collection of this waste on the
next scheduled bulk collection.
On the day of collection
1. The waste contractor will phone the department representative to
gain access to the solvent store or contact the waste producer
directly using the contact information provided on the listing
template to access the waste from the lab.
2. Only the wastes provided on the list will be collected by the
waste contractor. Upon collection you will be issued with a receipt
to record your waste has been collected and what empty
receptacles have been provided. These need to be stored centrally
by your department.
3. The nominated building representative will be required to sign the
consignment note that accompanies the load consigned to the
waste contractor. The producer copy of the consignment note must
be stored on site for 3 years.
Please note:
-
If you have direct access to a waste store you must inform the
nominated building representative and send the digital list to them. In
addition a printed list must accompany the waste placed within the
store.
Laboratory Smalls collection
Laboratory smalls are described as any chemical in a jar or a bottle that would
routinely be used in lab. For instance 50g to 500g for solids.
In order for laboratory smalls to be transported safely they must be correctly
listed and packaged in UN approved containers according to their hazardous
properties. For this reason a contracted waste disposal chemist will complete
this. Once packed securely for transport the waste will remain where it is until
the next bulk chemical collection in which it will be collected and transported
to the disposal site. This will be two weeks later. (This time delay coincides
with the fortnightly bulk collection and allows time for (chemical disposal)
quotes to be generated).
In order to ensure this service operates smoothly please follow the procedure
below.
Laboratory small’s collection procedure:
1. Check the chemical waste collection schedule for details of the next
chemist visit and bulk collection for your building. (See Appendix 1)
4
2. Using the provided laboratory chemicals collection list template, the
waste producer must fill in all the detail requested. E.g. the chemical to
be disposed of and the volume of the container the chemical is in. Do
not estimate the amount of chemical in the bottle. If it’s a 500g bottle
that’s nearly empty still list it as 500g. Listed chemicals MUST be
safely contained with clear labelling of the contents which
matches the digital list provided.
3. This electronic list must be emailed to the nominated building
representative in charge of chemicals disposal two weeks before
the next scheduled Bulk collection. (This time delay coincides with
the fortnightly bulk collection and allows time for (chemical disposal)
quotes to be generated).
4. The nominated representative will collate all the lists from various
departments, who have laboratory chemicals to dispose of, around
your building and send this information to UCL customer service help
desk. Email: efdservices@ucl.ac.uk
5. MITIE’s industrial helpdesk will arrange for the chemist to visit your
department to list and pack the chemicals ready for transport, on the
next Bulk collection listing day.
On the day of chemical listing
6. The waste contractor will phone the waste producer directly using the
contact information provided on the listing template to gain access to
the laboratory where the waste is stored.
7. The chemist will either pack the waste within your lab or remove the
waste to a central store for packing if available. The waste will stay in
this location until the bulk collection date where it will be collected with
the bulk solvents.
Please note: Only the wastes provided on the list will be packed by the
waste contractor.
On the day of collection (Scheduled bulk collection day)
8. If the waste has been stored in your lab the waste contractor will again
make contact to collect the waste. If collected from a central store this
will not happen the contractor will contact the nominated building
representative to gain access to the central store.
9. Upon completion of chemical packing you or the building
representative will be issued with a receipt to record your waste has
been packed.
10. Again the nominated building representative will be responsible for
signing and storing the producer copy of the consignment note which
must be retained by the department for three years.