Appendix K
Hazardous Waste Management
UW-Stout is committed to responsible management of its hazardous waste and compliance with all
applicable U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
(DNR) rules. This appendix provides the basic tools hazardous waste generators need to properly manage
these waste streams. Questions concerning hazardous waste disposal should be directed to the Chemical
Hygiene Officer (CHO).
How should hazardous waste be managed? A sound waste management program follows the waste
management hierarchy. Reducing waste production at the source, recovery, reuse, recycling and on-site
treatment are waste minimization practices that should be considered before disposal.
The Waste Management Hierarchy
Most
desirable





Reduce waste production at the source.
Recover and reuse wastes on-site (i.e.,
recycling).
Recycle off-site.
Treatment.
Dispose of wastes in a manner that protects
the air, water quality, land quality, and
human health and safety.
Least
desirable
UW-Stout relies on the generators of hazardous waste to properly manage the waste. The CHO will
provide assistance to laboratory supervisors in identifying whether a waste is a hazardous waste and the
best way to manage the waste, and can move hazardous waste containers from science laboratories to
the hazardous waste storage site within required time frames upon request. The Director of Safety and
Risk Management is responsible for overall management of hazardous waste generated at UW-Stout.
What is hazardous waste? Wisconsin statutes define waste as any liquid, solid or gaseous material
that can no longer be used for its originally intended purpose because it has become contaminated or has
been used in some process or is an item that is no longer wanted. This waste is considered hazardous if
it exhibits the characteristics of ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity and/or toxicity or if it is specifically
named in one of four lists found in Wisconsin statutes.

Ignitable:
o
A liquid with a flash point <140oF. For example, spent paint thinner, rags (cloth or paper)
soaked with a solvent with a flash point <140oF, oil-based paint products, ethanols, organic
solvents, etc.
o
Not a liquid and capable, under standard temperature and pressure, of causing fire through
friction, absorption of moisture or spontaneous chemical changes and, when ignited, burns
so vigorously and persistently that it creates a hazard
o
An ignitable compressed gas
o
An oxidizer

Corrosive: a water-containing liquid with a pH<2 or pH>12.5 or a chemical that corrodes plain
carbon steel at a rate greater than 6.35 mm per year. Products labeled acid, base, caustics and
alkalis fall in this category.

Reactive: a waste that will readily release energy or toxic gases or fumes through reaction with
air, water or other stimuli. For example: sodium metal, phosphorus or dry picric acid.

Toxic: a waste is considered a hazardous waste because of toxicity if it is one of 39 listed
substances (eight metals, six pesticides and 25 organic chemicals) and fails the toxic
characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP). The TCLP is a test that determines whether the
substance will leach from the waste (a concern if waste is placed in a landfill). Table K-1 lists the
toxicity characteristic chemicals.
Table K-1: Toxicity Characteristic Chemicals
Arsenic
Barium
Benzene
Cadmium
Carbon tetrachloride
Chlordane
Chlorobenzene
Chloroform
Chromium
m-Cresol

o-Cresol
p-Cresol
Cresol, total
2,4-D
1,4-Dichlorobenzene
1,2-Dichloroethane
1,1-Dichloroethylene
2,4-Dinitrotoluene
Endrin
Heptachlor
Hexachlorobenzene
Hexachlorobutadiene
Hexachloroethane
Lead
Lindane
Mercury
Methoxychlor
Methyl ethyl ketone
Nitrobenzene
Pentachlorophenol
Pyridine
Selenium
Silver
Tetrachloroethylene
Toxaphene
Trichloroethylene
2,4,5-Trichlorophenol
2,4,6-Trichlorophenol
2,4,5-TP Silvex
Vinyl chloride
Listed wastes: Wisconsin has adopted the EPA lists of hazardous waste that include wastes from
non-specific sources and discarded chemical products that are listed as acute hazardous wastes
and toxic wastes.
o
F-listed (non-specific sources) and K-listed (specific sources) wastes are typically created in
manufacturing and industrial processes.
o
P-listed and U-listed wastes are discarded commercial chemical products, some of which are
used in UW-Stout labs. These wastes have been identified in CISPro, on the chemical’s
Identity tab.
Waste minimization: It is important that all persons and departments generating hazardous waste
consider how they can contribute to a waste minimization effort. The goal at UW-Stout is to either
prevent the formation or production of pollutants at the source or reduce the amount of hazardous waste
that is generated. Before seeking a disposal method for chemical waste and when planning work,
consider pollution prevention and waste minimization methods:

Modify laboratory processes to use fewer chemicals. Can chemical use be eliminated altogether
using computer modeling and simulations?

Take care when weighing or transferring chemicals to minimize spills and waste.

Buy less, store less, use less and dispose of less. Approximately 25% of waste collected is
unused chemicals. Less reduces the risk of an accident or fire, saves space and money and
reduces pollution. Buy only what you need in the immediate future. A bulk quantity may seem
economical, but the cost of disposing excess will negate (and often exceed) the savings.

Redistribute surplus lab chemicals. CISPro makes it easy to look for other users of the same
chemical who may be able to use your surplus. Contact a lab manager or the CHO.

Use surplus lab chemicals, especially if you need a very small quantity. CISPro can be used to
find an owner of the chemical you need who may be willing to share their excess.

Control your laboratory chemical inventory. All primary chemical containers are in CISPro, so if
you are unsure if you already own a chemical check there first.

Substitute with less hazardous chemicals if possible. This is beneficial for not only minimizing
waste but also minimizing risk to human health.
In-lab chemical management: In-lab management includes simple disposal and treatment methods
that can be done in your lab, such as solvent commingling, flushing down the sanitary sewer and
neutralization.

Solvent commingling: Most labs in Jarvis Science Wing Addition and Heritage Hall that have the
potential to create hazardous waste, and all prep areas in Jarvis Science Wing Addition, have
containers for separating halogenated and non-halogenated wastes.
o
Halogenated waste includes solvents such as chloroform, methylene chloride and 1,2dichloromethane. Halogenated wastes must be incinerated in a special facility and therefore
are quite expensive to dispose of: a 5-gallon carboy can cost as much as $207 to treat.
Wastes that include both halogenated and non-halogenated solvents must be disposed of in
the halogenated carboy.
o
Non-halogenated waste includes solvents such as acetonitrile, ethyl acetate, hexane,
toluene, methane, alcohols, acetone, non-PCB oils and tetrahydrofuran. They can be
blended for fuel for energy creation and are therefore much cheaper to dispose of than
halogenated wastes: a 5-gallon carboy will cost about $22 for disposal.

Heavy metal wastes, such as cadmium, chromium, and lead, can also be commingled; a
container has been provided where there are also halogenated and non-halogenated carboys.
Mercury and mercury compounds should be kept separate.

Sanitary sewer disposal: Some chemicals can be disposed of down the sanitary sewer. This
should not be done without first consulting with the CHO.

Neutralization: Corrosive solutions with a pH of less than 2 or greater than 10 should not be sent
directly down the sanitary sewer, but they can be neutralized first. Do not attempt to neutralize
the following acids (dispose of them as hazardous wastes instead): acid anhydrides and
chlorides; chlorosulfonic acid; fuming nitric acid; fuming sulfuric acid; liquid halides of boron,
silicon, tin, titanium and vanadium; and liquid halides and oxyhalides of phosphorus, selenium,
chromium, vanadium and sulfur.
o
Only conduct neutralization if you are trained and comfortable with the procedures.
o
Neutralization can create significant vapors and heat.
o
Carry out neutralizations in a well-ventilated fume hood. Use the sash along with
appropriate eye protection to protect against vigorous reactions.
o
Wear an apron, splash-proof goggles and face shield, and long/gauntlet nitrile gloves.
o
A five-gallon polyethylene bucket is recommended for neutralizing 1 to 10 liters. A large
container is needed for addition of cold water/ice and base, and to safely stir the reaction.
o
Contact the CHO for procedures for specific acids and bases.
Comply with the following guidelines if you generate hazardous waste:

Never place waste in the normal trash or pour down the drain unless you are sure it is safe and
legal to do so and it is not hazardous.

Hazardous waste containers shall have the contents, date of generation and generator’s name
listed on its label in addition to the words “Hazardous Waste.” Additional information that will aid
in proper waste disposal should also be included on the label if known.

Only use containers that are in good condition and compatible with the waste being stored.
Plastic soda bottles are not acceptable for containing hazardous waste.

Wear chemical splash goggles, appropriate gloves and a lab coat/apron when transferring waste
to a hazardous waste container. Use a funnel to prevent spills, and be sure to remove the funnel
and re-cap the container when finished.

Do not fill waste containers completely; leave 5% for volume for expansion.

Keep waste containers closed at all times, except when adding or removing waste. The
container must be closed with a tight fitting lid or cap. Parafilm or foil is not an acceptable cover.

Handle and store waste container properly to prevent rupture or leakage. Use secondary
containment. Maintain good housekeeping.

Do not mix hazardous waste with nonhazardous waste. Do not mix incompatible wastes.

Be prepared to handle spills. Call 911 if you are not able to safely cleanup a spill of a hazardous
waste.

Once a container is full, date the container and contact the CHO to ensure waste is transferred
to the hazardous waste storage site within three days. Contact the Director of Safety and Risk
Management for pickup of hazardous waste generated in other areas of campus.

The laboratory supervisor should contact the CHO for a review of anticipated waste streams.
The CHO will provide guidance on appropriate waste disposal.

Separate waste containers will be provided for mercury or other solid or liquid toxic waste as
needed.
Specialty Waste

Batteries: Alkaline batteries are the only batteries that can be placed in the normal trash for
disposal. There are two disposal options for all other batteries:
o
Return to dealer where battery was purchased.
o
Contact the CHO for management as a hazardous waste. Recycling is the preferred option
for battery disposal.

Lamps/bulbs: Fluorescent lamps and light bulbs contain small quantities of mercury and other
metals harmful to the environment and human health. The DNR bans landfill disposal of spent
fluorescent, mercury vapor, metal halide and sodium vapor lamps and bulbs from businesses.
All University-generated spent lamps and bulbs are sent out for recycling. Contact a custodian or
the CHO if you have a bulb that should be recycled.

Infectious and Medical Waste: Management varies depending on the source of the waste.
See the UW-Stout Biosafety Manual for detailed information on disposal of infectious waste.
o
Sharps such as scalpels, needles, razors and other items capable of breaking the skin,
whether contaminated or not, should be placed in a sharps container. Contaminated glass,
vials, slides, etc. should also be placed in a sharps container. When the container is full,
contact the CHO for proper management.
o
All other infectious waste is autoclaved before being placed in the normal trash for disposal.
This includes items contaminated with blood or body fluids (but not sharps), animal bedding
and microbiological laboratory waste.

Photographic Waste may contain silver. UW-Stout reclaims silver from photo waste before
disposal.

Oily Rags: Rags (cloth or paper) that have been contaminated with a solvent with a flash point
<140oF are considered hazardous waste. Therefore, rags used to wipe off excess product with a
flash point <140o F are hazardous waste. This waste stream should be managed as follows:
o
Switch to a higher flash point (>140o F) solvent. This eliminates the generation of
hazardous waste.
o
Use a laundering service that specializes in oil-contaminated rags to clean all contaminated
cloth rags.
o
If the above two are not an option, contact the Director of Safety and Risk Management for
specific procedures for managing this waste stream.

Electronic Scrap: The following have been banned from Wisconsin landfills: televisions,
computers and monitors, desktop printers, other computer accessories (including mice,
keyboards and speakers), DVD players, VCRs, DVRs, fax machines, cell phones and major
appliances (including clothes washers and dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, stoves,
ovens and microwave ovens). Many of these items can be recycled through Surplus.
The University can only accept and manage hazardous waste generated on the UW-Stout
campus. Contact your local county household hazardous waste program for management of
hazardous waste generated in the home.
Hazardous Waste Resources


UW-Madison Laboratory Safety Guide (contact the CHO prior to disposing of wastes in
accordance with these guides, as they were written specifically for UW-Madison)
o
Chapter 7, “Chemical Disposal Procedures”: http://www.ehs.wisc.edu/documents/chemlsgchapter07.pdf
o
Appendix A, “Disposal Procedures by Chemical”:
http://www.ehs.wisc.edu/documents/chem-lsgappendixa.pdf
Wisconsin DNR
o
Hazardous waste website: http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Waste/Hazardous.html
o
Chapter NR 661, “Hazardous Waste Identification and Listing”:
http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/nr/600/661.pdf