DISPOSAL OF EMPTY CHEMICAL CONTAINERS
1.0
1.1
1.2
1.3
SCOPE
This procedure applies to all staff and students in all Schools and Departments
across the University.
The main purpose of this procedure is to ensure the potential for breaches of
legislation arising from waste disposal through the University’s non-hazardous waste
management contract is minimized.
This procedure applies to the disposal of empty chemical containers.
2.0
2.1
RESPONSIBILITY
The Head of School/ Directorate is responsible for ensuring empty chemical bottles
are stored and disposed of in a safe and proper manner and in accordance with the
legal requirements.
2.2
The Environmental Services section of the Estates Directorate is responsible for;
 conducting periodic checks on the process of non-hazardous mixed waste
disposal;
 ensuring that all waste contractors used for the collection of non-hazardous
waste are suitably licensed. As a result, all waste detailed in this procedure
MUST be disposed of through the University’s appointed non-hazardous
waste disposal contractors (currently SITA Northern Ireland Ltd);
 ensuring that all non-hazardous waste streams are classified correctly.
3.0
PROCEDURE
3.1
Disposal of empty chemical containers
These include empty glass winchesters, plastic and aluminium chemical bottles.
3.2
General
Ensure the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is worn at all times
Schools MUST NOT arrange for the collection and disposal of waste through other
contractors.
3.3
Solvent Containers
3.3.1 Screw off the lid of the container and rinse
3.3.2 Ensure as much solvent as possible is decanted from the container
3.3.3 Place the container in a fume cupboard overnight to allow the solvent to
evaporate safely in a contained and controlled manner
3.3.4 Permanently remove or deface the hazard symbol (orange and black in
colour) with a permanent marker and clearly write ‘RINSED’ in capital letters
on the remainder of the label or across the container (in the absence of a
label)
3.3.5 DO NOT replace the lid of the container. This MUST be disposed of
separately in the general waste stream
3.3.6 Take the empty container to the laboratory supervisor who MUST check the
container prior to disposal
3.3.7 Once checked, the empty container can be taken to the designated disposal
area
3.4
Non-solvent containers
3.4.1 Screw off the lid of the container and rinse
3.4.2 Ensure as much chemical as possible is decanted from the container
3.4.3 Rinse the container thoroughly and allow to dry
Disposal of empty chemical containers Feb 2011
3.4.4
3.4.5
3.4.6
3.4.7
3.5
3.5.1
Permanently remove or deface the hazard symbol (orange and black in
colour) with a permanent marker and clearly write ‘RINSED’ in capital letters
on the remainder of the label or across the container (in the absence of a
label)
DO NOT replace the lid of the container. This MUST be disposed of
separately in the general waste stream
Take the empty container to the laboratory supervisor who MUST check the
container prior to disposal
Once checked, the empty container can be taken to the designated disposal
area.
LOCATIONS
Facilities for the disposal of empty chemical containers are in place at the
locations detailed in the Table below.
LOCATION
DKB Service Yard
Health Sciences Building (HSB)
CCRCB
MBC Service Yard
DISPOSAL FACILITIES
Individual blue 1100litre bin for:
aluminum bottles,
- glass bottles;
- and plastic bottles.
Individual blue 240litre bin for;
- glass bottles; and
- plastic bottles.
Individual blue 240litre bin for;
- glass bottles; and
- plastic bottles
Individual blue 240litre bin for;
- glass bottles; and
- plastic bottles
Please see Appendix A for a poster summary of disposal of empty chemical containers.
Local Procedure
The following instructions have been circulated to the School of Biological Sciences:
1. Rinse container and lid
2. Dispose of lid in normal waste bin
3. Place ‘RINSED’ label over the chemical label
4. Store containers in the box provided to labs – store winchesters on floor
5. When the box is almost full contact your safety representative: George Allen, Gillian
Riddell, Brett Greer or Philip Johnston
6. Once you have permission from the safety rep please take the contents of the box to
the black wheelie bins in the basement (one is for glass waste and the other for
plastic).
Disposal of empty chemical containers Feb 2011
APPENDIX A
ALUMINIUM EMPTY CONTAINERS
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Disposal of empty chemical containers Feb 2011
BOTTLE CONTAINS
LIQUID
NOT ALLOWED
BOTTLE WITH LID
NOT ALLOWED
HAZARD SYMBOL
NOT ALLOWED
BOTTLE EMPTY &
RINSED
ALLOWED
LID REMOVED
ALLOWED
HAZARD SYMBOL
DEFACED
ALLOWED
EMPTY GLASS CONTAINERS
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
Disposal of empty chemical containers Feb 2011
BOTTLE CONTAINS
LIQUID
NOT ALLOWED
BOTTLE WITH LID
NOT ALLOWED
HAZARD SYMBOL
NOT ALLOWED
BOTTLE EMPTY &
RINSED
ALLOWED
LID REMOVED
ALLOWED
HAZARD SYMBOL
DEFACED
ALLOWED
EMPTY PLASTIC CONTAINERS


Disposal of empty chemical containers Feb 2011
BOTTLE CONTAINS
LIQUID
NOT ALLOWED
BOTTLE WITH LID
NOT ALLOWED
HAZARD SYMBOL
NOT ALLOWED
BOTTLE EMPTY &
RINSED
ALLOWED
LID REMOVED
ALLOWED
HAZARD SYMBOL
DEFACED
ALLOWED