Chemical and hazardous waste
Guidance for chemical and hazardous waste disposal, including chemicals, hood filters and batteries.
Chemical waste
Chemicals should be disposed in line with the disposal route stated in the appropriate Safe System of Work in your COSHH forms.
Try to recycle unwanted chemicals by advertising to the wider School community.
Labelling Hazardous Waste
Hazardous waste stickers must be completed and attached to each item for disposal, unless they are still in the manufacturer’s original packaging.
They are available to collect from the following locations:
| Building | Collection Point |
|---|---|
| Ashworth complex | On safety noticeboards |
| Roger Land | Room G.35, shelf above photocopier |
| Waddington | Room 2.08, filing cabinet drawers opposite photocopier |
| Rutherford | Room 1.01, shelf above photocopier |
| Swann | On the safety noticeboard opposite the lifts on each floor |
Guidance for completing labels
Remember that the people handling the waste will not have knowledge of the work you do, so write clearly and fill in all sections of the labels.
Please avoid chemical formulas and write the chemical name in full. This is to ensure the safe handling and storage of the chemicals.
The following bulk drums are available:
- Formaldehydes
e.g., formalin, formaldehyde and paraformaldehyde solutions.
- Chlorinated waste (in containers of volume no greater than 10L)
e.g., Chloroform, chloroform-methanol-acetic acid mix, phenol and chloroform mixes, phenol.
- Non-chlorinated waste
e.g., Formamide, acetone, ethanol, methanol, IMS, isopropanol, ether, non-halogenated waste, butan-1-ol, DMSO, xylene and xylene-alcohol mixes.
- Waste oils
- HPLC waste (acetonitrile, trifluoroacetic acid and water)
Collection
Organic solvents should be collected in 2.5L bottles (consider recycling old glass Winchester or plastic bottles but only when thoroughly rinsed).
Ensure items are clearly labelled with waste disposal sticker (see above for locations). When they are full depending on the building the waste originates:
| Building | Collection Point |
|---|---|
| Ashworth complex | Submit a chemical uplift request |
| Roger Land | Take the items to Stores |
| Waddington and Rutherford | Take the items to the Waddington locker room |
| Swann | Take the items to Old Stores (opposite wash-up and media) |
To dispose of single items (chemicals, filters, rechargeable batteries, mercury bulbs), please complete a chemical uplift request and ensure the packages are clearly labelled with a hazardous waste sticker.
Chemical waste disposal uplift form
Some items may need to stay in your lab until removal can be arranged by the specialist waste contractor (every 3-6 months).
If you have a large number of chemicals to dispose, please complete the form below and send this to your building manager/WCCB lab manager.
If you have items with unknown contents, please complete the spreadsheet form below (second sheet) with as much information as possible.
Please remember to include a photo and send the completed sheet to your building manager/WCCB lab manager.