Chemical Waste Disposal Procedures

Document Control Document Created by

Shane McAteer Ver. 1.0 23/07/2012 Last Updated by

Gary Stratmann Ver. 2.1 08/01/2013

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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.

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.

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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)

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.