Laboratory Wastes Best Practices 

Waste Determination

1. Train technicians in the characteristics of what defines a hazardous waste. The generator of the waste has the most process knowledge of the waste and can help with the most accurate characterization of the waste at the time of generation without having to submit waste to an analytical laboratory for analysis.
2. Generators should place waste material in Satellite Accumulation Areas with accurate information to allow for characterization.
3. Maintain record of accumulation so process knowledge can be retrieved if needed.
4. If necessary have waste characterized by a certified laboratory.

Storage in Satellite Accumulation Areas

Satellite Accumulation Areas (SAA) have certain aspects that are mandated by regulation such as:

1. Only 55 gallons of a hazardous waste or one quart of an acutely hazardous waste may accumulate in a SAA.
2. While at the federal level there is no time limit for accumulation in an SAA, many states or local authorities have limited the time wastes can accumulate in SAAs. Check with your EH&S staff on state requirements.
3. Full containers must be transferred to a hazardous waste accumulation area within 72 hours.
4. Waste must be segregated by chemical compatibility, waste classification and physical state.
5. Waste containers must be labeled as “Hazardous Waste” in accordance with state and local waste handling regulations.
6. Waste containers must be compatible with the waste they contain, be in good condition and kept closed except for transferring waste to or from the container.

Beyond these regulatory requirements some best practices that can be implemented in the management of SAAs include:

1. Waste containers should be labeled not only as Hazardous Waste, but should also include the generator’s name and phone number, chemical name of the waste, hazardous properties, and a log should be kept that records the date, amount and type of waste added to the SAA. Be sure labels are compatible with the waste type. Some inks and markers may run or become illegible on contact with some solvents. Some adhesive labels may fall off or be damaged on contact with solvents, acid or bases.
2. The SAA should be assigned to a specific individual who is accountable for managing the waste. Ideally this will be the generator of the waste or the generator that adds most of the waste to the area.
3. Best practices would have the SAA be a separate ventilated cabinet or drums stored in an area away from floor drains and with secondary containment. Either small tubs for containers of compatible wastes or drum tubs for drums. Secondary containment should be able to contain 100 percent of the largest container within it or 10 percent of the total volume of containers held within the secondary containment.
4. SAAs should be located away from doorways, walkways or other means of egress.
5. SAAs that accumulate flammable liquids such as organic solvents must also meet fire safety code requirements, such as storage in a ventilated flammables cabinet and have a fire extinguisher nearby.
6. Do not accumulate flammable liquids in glass containers. Red metal safety cans should be used.
7. Secondary containment tubs of multiple containers should be compatible with the wastes they hold and hold only wastes that are compatible with each other.
8. Do not store usable chemicals, reagents or unmarked bottles in the SAA. These may be mistaken for improperly labeled waste.
9. Do not store wastes or other chemicals in laboratory fume hoods
10. Do not allow volatile wastes to evaporate and escape to the atmosphere or lab environment.

Container Management

Best practices for the storage and handling of hazardous waste containers in the laboratory include:

1. Maintain separate waste containers for compatible waste streams (i.e., acid, bases, oxidizers, organic solvents, radioactive waste, etc.).
2. Separate containers with incompatible wastes with a berm, tub or other barrier.
3. Clearly label containers with the name of the appropriate waste type in addition to identify the container as a hazardous waste container.
4. Log chemicals and quantities added to waste containers as chemicals are added.
5. Train laboratory personnel on safe procedures to transfer chemicals to waste containers.
6. Maintain separate containers for broken glassware, sharps, biohazard and radioactive waste.
7. Do not store waste containers where they have the potential to freeze or are exposed to high heat.
8. Keep waste containers in tubs or other secondary containment.
9. Waste containers should be in good condition, not rusted or dented.
10. Clearly mark the area as a hazardous waste storage area.
11. Make sure waste containers are compatible with the waste type they are expected to contain.
12. Keep an adequate spill control kit nearby. Clean up all spills quickly.
13. Periodically inspect the waste container area and log observations and corrective actions taken.
14. When handling waste containers use mechanical aids such as drum lifts, drum hand trucks, drum dollies, etc. Do not roll drums on their side or edge.

Waste Minimization

Hazardous Waste

1. Minimize the amount of chemicals stored in the lab to the minimum quantities needed to avoid having to dispose of chemicals that expire or deteriorate during storage.
2. Develop an inventory of chemicals no longer needed in your lab that could possibly be used by another.
3. Implement microscale chemistry techniques where possible.
4. When preparing standards and reagents that contain hazardous waste, only prepare the amount necessary for near term use to avoid generation of waste.
5. Use organic dishwashing solutions instead of chromic-sulfuric acid mixtures when washing glassware if possible.
6. Where possible substitute less toxic chemicals where toxic chemicals are used in a procedure or process.
7. Evaluate ways to reduce the amount of toxic chemicals used in lab procedures. Examples include:
   · Using stool preservatives that do not contain copper or mercury.
   · Use-pre-filled formaldehyde containers for specimen collection. Use smaller four ml specimen containers if possible.
   · Use mercury free hematoxylin stains.
   · Perform chlorine analysis using Ion Selective Electrode (ISE) methods that generate less waste than colorimetric methods.
8. Re-use or recycle spent solvent.
9. Avoid contaminating non-hazardous waste streams with hazardous, radioactive or biohazardous material.
10. If possible, small amounts of hazardous waste may be effectively treated in the laboratory, rendering it non-hazardous prior to disposal. (Note: This action may require a RCRA permit in some circumstances) On site treatment techniques may include:
    · pH neutralization
    · Treatment in accumulation containers, i.e., precipitation of heavy metals
    · On-site recycling
    · Burning in boilers or furnaces
    · Include detoxification or waste treatment steps in lab procedures
    

Radioactive and Mixed Waste

1. Replace toluene based liquid scintillation fluid with non-ignitable fluid making a potential mixed waste into a radioactive waste.
2. Use low volume liquid scintillation vials.
3. Use radionuclides with short half lives that can be allowed to decay in storage prior to disposal.

Non-Hazardous and Special Waste

1. Use two sided copying
2. Make procedures, MSDSs, manuals, etc., available electronically
3. Use e-mail instead of hard copies
4. Share trade periodicals
5. Use reusable containers
6. Use rechargeable batteries
7. Set up recycling programs for cardboard, glass, drink cans, plastics

Emergency Equipment

Best practices for laboratory emergency equipment includes the following:

1. Emergency eyewash stations and showers in areas where there is the potential to come into contact with hazardous chemicals, unobstructed access from any point in the lab within 10 seconds, and located on the same level as the potential hazard.
2. Fire extinguishers easily accessible, and of size and type to be effective against an anticipated fire.
3. Fire Blankets.
4. Communications systems including telephones, radios, alarms.
5. Emergency personal protective equipment including SCBA’s, disposable coveralls, gloves, eye protection, short term escape respirators.
6. Spill control equipment including, spill pillows, absorbent pads, drum berms, drain plugs, hand pumps, neutralization solutions.
7. Air monitoring instrumentation, either portable or fixed systems if needed.
8. First aid kit, including burn kit.
9. Periodic inspection of equipment to ensure its effectiveness and availability.
10. Hands-on training of laboratory personnel in the use of emergency equipment.