Chemical Waste

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Requesting Chemical Waste Containers

1. Phone Hazmat at 403-220-8707 and request waste containers prior to noon on a Monday. Request 20 litre liquid mixed waste containers, in most years we will need one for aqueous waste and another for organic waste. Specify what room you want the waste containers to be placed.

2. Waste containers will be dropped off during the daytime on Tuesdays at specified locations.

Using Chemical Waste Containers

1. Keep the chemical waste bins in a secure location away from campers and other members of the general public. Good locations for chemical waste containers include fume hoods in the labs or in rooms where only staff will be present.

2. Except when disposing of waste, chemical waste containers must be kept sealed to prevent fumes from escaping. All chemicals must be sealed with a proper lid, corks or parafilm are not acceptable.

3. Only place waste in a chemically compatible container, most wastes are not compatible with a metal container. Only use a metal container if it was the original container the chemical was contained in.

4. Chemical waste must be segregated by type. In most cases all we need are an aqueous waste and an organic waste container. However, consult chemical MSDS sheets before mixing any chemicals. Hazmat has provided suggestions on how to segregate wastes in the following table:

1. When in use, containers must include a label that includes all chemical wastes present with correct IUPAC names (No abbreviations or acronyms), volumes, and concentrations. The template for this is located at: http://www.ucalgary.ca/scm/files/scm/hazmat_mixedchemicals.doc

2. A chemical waste container should never be more than 90% full. If it is getting close to this volume, it must be picked up by Hazmat and replaced by a different container.

Pickup of Chemical Waste

1. Once a waste container approaches 90% full, it must be picked up by Hazmat. The waste containers have a mixed chemical form that must be filled out and signed (http://www.ucalgary.ca/scm/files/scm/hazmat_mixedchemicals.doc).

2. Attach two copies of the completed chemical waste sheets to the waste container and keep one copy in the office for records.

3. Call Hazmat at 403-220-8707 on Monday before noon to arrange a pickup. Pickups will be done on Tuesdays. Some rooms at the University (most in Science A) Hazmat has access to and thus waste can be picked up easily. If the room is not accessible by Hazmat make sure to include the office locations so you can unlock the room for them. Always leave chemical waste containers inside the room close to the door for easy pickup.

4. Hazardous Materials is also willing to pick up chemicals in their original containers so long as the original chemical labels are intact.