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West Chester University

Filano Hall, Room 205
West Chester, PA 19383
610-436-3557
fax: 610-436-2689
mgagne@wcupa.edu


Waste Disposal Guide

What is Hazardous Waste?

There are many ways to define hazardous waste but the following Department of Transportation (DOT) definition can be used as a general guide: A hazardous material/waste is a substance...which has been determined to be capable of posing an unreasonable risk to health, safety, and property, when transported in commerce (49 CFR (171.8)). However, in addition to the DOT, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and other federal agencies have their own definitions of what is hazardous.

Moreover, the EPA defines three categories of hazardous waste generators based upon the quantity of hazardous waste they generate per month:

  1. Conditionally exempt small quantity generators (CESQGs), which generate less than 220 lbs (100 kg) per month.
  2. Small quantity generators (SQGs), which generate between 220 lbs (100 kg) and 2,200 lbs (1,000 kg) per month.
  3. Large quantity generators (LQGs), which generate more than 2,200 lbs (1,000 kg) per month.

The EPA and the commonwealth of Pennsylvania have developed and enforce hazardous waste regulations specific to each generator category listed above.

In order for the University to maintain our current generator category status (i.e. Small Quantity Generator) and to fully comply with the set of hazardous waste regulations that apply, the following hazardous waste disposal procedures must be followed.

Procedures for Disposal:

All hazardous waste must have a completed hazardous waste label, prior to pick-up and must be properly containerized. Contact EHS (x2129) for hazardous waste labels. Schmucker Science Center Phase I & II and Boucher Hall faculty/staff can also obtain hazardous waste labels by contacting George Zittle (x2274).

Next, segregate the chemicals by hazard class, this helps to reduce the risk of a reaction between chemicals during transportation or pick-up.

For areas outside of Schmucker Science Center Phase I & II and Boucher Hall, EHS will pick up the waste on the last Thursday of every month of the calendar year and dispose of it properly. However, due to the potential for large quantities of hazardous waste generated, EHS would prefer request for pick-up service be made one week before the scheduled monthly pick-up. For Schmucker Science Center Phase I & II and Boucher Hall, George Zittle will pick up the waste following the same schedule as listed above.

Requests for pick-up can be made by contacting EHS at x3333, or George Zittle (Chemistry Department Stockroom) by e-mail or x2274.

The following are some simple guidelines to use when disposing of chemicals.

Examples of Hazardous Waste:

  • Flammable and non-flammable solvents
  • Corrosives - acids and bases
  • Oxidizers - nitric acid, nitrates, chlorates, peroxides
  • Reactives - hydrides, azides, picryls
  • Toxic - poisons, mutagens, carcinogens, controlled substances, dyes, stains, mercury, ink sludges containing chromium and lead, other heavy metals, etc.
  • Solvent contaminated paper, rags, or other clean-up debris
  • Photo-fixer, developer, x-ray film
  • Computers, circuit boards, monitors etc.
  • Antifreeze
  • Paint, sand-blasting sand, wet paint filters, wood preserving agents, etc.
  • Concentrated boiler treatment chemicals or cleaning supplies
  • *Fluorescent lamps, batteries and mercury thermostats
  • **Pesticides

*These types of waste are classified by EPA as Universal Waste and are subject to less stringent federal and state hazardous waste regulations

**Certain unused, recalled and non-hazardous pesticides are classified as Universal Waste, others that are listed in EPA's 40 CFR 261 Subpart C and 261 Subpart D are considered Hazardous Waste

Problem Hazardous Waste

  • Gas cylinders, lecture bottles, aerosol cans
    • Make arrangements when purchasing gas cylinders that the manufacturer or supplier will accept return of cylinders
  • Shock sensitive materials - peroxidized ethers, dry picric acid
  • Naturally occurring radioactive materials - uranyl nitrate, thorium nitrate

Hazardous Waste Labeling Requirements

  • Use WCU hazardous waste label - (Contact EHS x3333 or George Zittle x2274 as specified above) you may make your own label as long as it contains all of the same information and wording as the university label
  • Be sure to clearly mark the accumulation start date for each container, the accumulation start date must be visible for inspection
  • Hazardous waste generator's name or responsible person (i.e. faculty, building administrator, shop foreman, employee, etc.), building/room# and phone#
  • Contents - Please write the full name of the compound(s) and the percentages of each and container size. Please do not use acronyms, chemical formulas or chemical structures.
  • If known, mark the chemical family code contents fall under on back of hazardous waste label (e.g. Inorganic 1-Metal, Hydrides, Organic 8-Phenols, Cresols)

Hazardous Waste Container Requirements

  • Container must be compatible with waste
  • Container must be kept closed except when adding or removing waste
  • Container must be handled and stored in a manner that will prevent rupture or leaks
  • Container must be inspected weekly for leaks or deterioration
  • Do not place incompatible materials in the same container or place waste into an unwashed container that contained an incompatible material

Hazard Class

A simple method for determining if your waste is hazardous is if it fits into the following hazard classes:

  • Flammable
  • Oxidizer
  • Reactive
    • Water reactive
    • Shock sensitive
    • Light, heat reactive
  • Corrosive Acid - mineral
  • Corrosive Acid - organic
  • Corrosive Base
  • Toxic-poison/irritant/carcinogen etc.
  • Gas cylinders - segregate by hazard class

Segregation by Hazard Class

Use the following resources to determine the hazard class of your waste:

West Chester University is committed to protecting the environment and ensuring the health and safety of students, faculty and staff by adhering to environmentally sound practices and policies and complying with all applicable federal, state and local regulations. University departments/employees who fail to comply with the hazardous waste disposal guide and other environmental health and safety compliance policies will be singled out to the proper chains of command.