Introduction
Waste producers have a legal duty of care to ensure their waste is managed properly by themselves and others.
Certain types of waste are classed as hazardous because they possess properties that pose a threat to human health or the environment. Because of these properties, hazardous wastes must be managed carefully, and there are strict rules on how they are dealt with.
This guidance provides information on the safe handling, storage and packaging of hazardous waste across the University.
This guidance only applies to chemical/biological (clinical) hazardous waste whose disposal is managed by the UHSE Hazardous Waste Service. It excludes hazardous waste such as Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), fluorescent tubes and asbestos managed by the Estates Department. It also does not cover radioactive waste.
This guidance also includes the disposal and prohibition of substances to drain as defined by the University of Bath Trade Effluent Consent.
Classification of hazardous waste
Hazardous waste is any waste with hazardous properties that may make it harmful to human health and the environment.
Waste is defined as hazardous if it is classified as such in the European Waste Catalogue (EWC or List of Wastes). In general, if it contains ‘dangerous substances’, it is hazardous.
If the content of the waste is not clear, producers must prove that it is non-hazardous before it can go to a non-hazardous waste stream.
Types of hazardous chemical or biological waste
The following is a list of the types of hazardous waste produced at the University of Bath on a regular basis. This list is not exhaustive and advice should be sought from the Hazardous Waste Manager if there is any uncertainty regarding classification of waste.
More detail regarding their disposal requirements can be found in SHEW's chemical waste checklist and biological waste checklist.
Chemical waste
Organic Solvent waste segregated into halogenated and non-halogenated
Aqueous waste containing low levels of hazardous substances
Glass waste that cannot be recycled such as borosilicate glass, pipettes, vials
Toxic materials such as ethidium bromide and low level lead, cyanide and mercury waste
Dusts, powders and particulates that may be deemed hazardous due to their properties such as a respiratory irritant or potential carcinogen
General laboratory chemicals which have expired or gone unused
Non-edible waste oils and fuels
Biological waste
Sharps are any items that can cause personal injury such as cuts and puncture wounds from handling and includes needles, scalpels, blades, broken scissors, microscope slides, small empty vials and small broken glass items
Clinical waste consisting wholly or partly of human or animal tissue, blood or other body fluids, excretions, prescription/controlled drugs or other pharmaceutical products, swabs or dressings which unless rendered safe may prove hazardous to any person coming into contact with it
Waste containing biological agents is waste containing Hazard Group (HG) 1 and 2 microorganisms and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). This must be rendered safe − for example, by autoclaving at the correct specification, prior to collection for disposal
Mixing, segregation and storage
It is important that hazardous waste is stored safely and securely because of the effects it may have on human health or the environment if it is not properly controlled.
You must keep separate:
hazardous waste from non-hazardous waste
different types of hazardous waste from each other, and
hazardous waste from other materials
Key factors for storage are that you ensure waste is:
secure
contained so that it cannot escape, and
protected from the weather, vehicles including fork lift trucks, scavengers and pests
Packaging and labelling
Waste containers should be labelled with the following information to ensure they can be easily identified:
an indication that it is waste
the contents of the container (where it is a chemical you should use the chemical identity rather than a trade name)
hazard(s) where applicable
The packaging or waste container should be appropriate to the waste it contains. Waste containers should:
not allow contents to escape, particularly if there is a leak
be visually inspected for signs of wear
be replaced if not fit for purpose
be weather proof if stored outside or protected
Liquid waste disposal to sinks, drains and surface water
Liquid waste disposal to sinks and drains is regulated by a Trade Effluent Consent. This contains certain conditions and prohibitions that must be complied with.
Liquid waste disposed of to sinks should not contain:
solids, sludges or viscous substances
grease or oil
corrosive chemicals − liquids that have a pH less than or equal to 5 or greater or equal to 9. Flushing corrosives down the drain with lots of water is not permitted
reactive chemicals − liquids that could result in an explosion, heat generation, or toxic gas release. Examples include: cyanides, azides, oxidizers, water reactive and air-reactive chemicals
toxic chemicals − chemicals that have an LD50 less than 500 mg/kg or are identified as carcinogenic, mutagenic, or teratogenic
heavy metals
prohibited substances as defined by the Trade Effluent Consent. Read the full list of prohibited substances.