Procedures for Hazardous Materials Disposal
Provincial Archives of Alberta
Procedures for Hazardous Materials Disposal
Disposal of hazardous materials and contaminated archival records is carried out by authorized
staff and with all due consideration for ecological impact and health and safety standards.
Hazardous materials are disposed of using available resources, industry guidelines and existing
waste disposal infrastructure. Authorized staff are responsible for being informed about and
compliant with industry disposal procedures and the following considerations.
Chemicals and Solvents

Order, store and use in the smallest amounts necessary to avoid waste and unnecessary
disposal.

Track expiration dates and prioritize use to avoid expiration.

Decant in amounts less than 100 ml whenever possible. Small amounts may be
volatilized in a fume hood or mixed with water and drained, as appropriate. All chemicals
must be disposed of according to chemical safety rules available , available at the
Hazardous Awareness Station in the Conservation Lab.
Dispose of non-commercial amounts exceeding 50 ml through a City of Edmonton Eco
Station, when permitted by facility criteria.


Dispose of unmixed/unprepared expired photographic developers and toners through a
City of Edmonton Eco Station.

Drain mixed (raw + water) photographic developers and toners.
Printer and Photocopier Toner Cartridges

Store used printer and toner cartridges in the loading bay.

The Workplace Health and Safety Committee returns used printer and toner cartridges
quarterly to:
Image Resources
5953 103A St NW
Edmonton, AB T6H 2J7
Phone: 780-434-1186
Contaminated Records
Incoming and existing archival records contaminated with mould, biohazards and/or pest
infestation may require disposal. Contaminated records are handled in accordance with
Procedures for Handling Mould or Pest-Infested Records.
The disposal of archival records requires careful consideration and discussion involving Archivists
and Conservators. Considerations include significance of the material, the type and severity of
contamination, and feasibility and potential success of conservation treatment options.
Provincial Archives of Alberta – June 2011
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Procedures for Hazardous Materials Disposal
The Alberta Records Centre (ARC), Service Alberta, manages the disposal of contaminated
Government of Alberta records to avoid the transfer of hazardous material to the Archives. The
ARC provides guidelines and support for the safe disposal of all archival records:

Documents with water damage that are still wet with no visible mould (less than 48
hours): Re-box or bag. Transfer to:
Rip n Shred Inc.
4606 - 90A Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta
T6B 2P9
Phone: 780-474-7373
Fax: 780-450-1483
E-Mail: info@ripnshred.com

Documents with water damage that may or may not be wet, with visible mould (within one
to two weeks of initial water damage):
o

Double bag and identify as contaminated. Transfer to Rip n Shred Inc., with prior
notification sent indicating contamination.
Documents heavily contaminated with pest (rodent) activity, biohazards or mould:
o
Transfer to an industrial waste management specialist. Recommended
companies:
GFM Environmental Services
17559 108 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta
T5S 1G2
Phone: 780-482-0986
Fax: 780-482-1676
G-M Pearson Biomedical Waste Specialists
2333 119 Avenue
Edmonton, AB T6S1A9
Phone: 780-473-6633
Fax: 780-475-9143
Hazardous Items
Hazardous archival items associated with Government of Alberta court records include
ammunition, weapons, and drugs and drug paraphernalia. These items are removed and
disposed of as follows:

Firearms: Transfer to the Royal Alberta Museum.

Knives, ammunition, drugs and drug paraphernalia: Transfer to the Edmonton Police
Service.
Provincial Archives of Alberta – June 2011
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