Classification/separation
In principle all chemical rests are classified as hazardous waste/goods and must not be poured down drains, except as permitted by the University’s Procedures for the disposal of liquid chemical residues and aqueous solutions (can be found under “How to do” at Sustainable campus web,http://www.su.se/sustainablecampus).
Handling/storage
For a more detailed description of the sorting and packing of chemical residues, contact the University´s contractor for hazardous waste. The same requirements apply to the storage of chemical residues as to pure chemicals, more information in Chemical handling procedure at Sustainable campus web. Chemical residues for destruction and pure chemicals should be kept apart from one another.
NB! Chemicals that can react with one another should be kept separate and not packed together. If this is not done, the department will be billed for the time it takes to sort these chemicals.
Chemicals in small original containers
When large quantities of chemicals are to be discarded (e.g. when emptying/cleaning a lab), always contact staff of the University´s contractor for hazardous waste. Their staff will sort and pack the chemicals on site and then transport them for destruction.
Small quantities of chemicals can be deposited in their original containers in room M212 if the packaging and seal are intact and the contents are clearly stated on the label. The jars are preferably transported in a shopping basket, plastic boxes or equal. A chemist will later sort these, and by large quantities there is a charge for this time. Please mark your basket/box as these can usually not be returned until the next opening. Do not transport larger amount at a time than what a basket hold.
Solid chemicals without risk of reaction with each other (e.g. some salts) may be packed directly in a cardboard box for hazardous waste, if a list of all content is attatched. If you are unsure of what you are allowed pack together, contact the contractor before packing. If the contractor afterwards finds out that it has to be re-packed, a cost for this is charged.
It is very important that substances that can react with one another are kept separate, for example acids and alkalis, cyanide and acids, sodium azide and heavy metals. Cellulose nitrate and picric acid must be moistened to at least 30 per cent before deposited, and aqua regia must be neutralised.
Solvents (organic, water-based, pure or mixtures)
Empty, cleaned glass bottles can be used for the collection of solvents. Solvents must not be kept in long-term storage in plastic drums since the plastic can be affected by the contents. Solvents should maintain a pH value of between 4 and 10. Different types of solutions, such as halogenated and non-halogenated, must be collected separately since the destruction costs are different for different types.
Solvent residues must either be deposited in type-approved plastic drums intended for transport (maximum of 5 years old) or glass bottles of solvents must be packed in cardboard boxes for hazardous waste with an inner plastic bag. Plastic drums containing solvents must not be packed together in large waste containers. The SU Shop sells approved plastic drums for transport.
Perchloric acid over 72% may not be deposited; it must first be diluted to lower concentrations.
Substances that can form peroxides (e.g. ethers, THF, dioxane, isopropyl ether) should normally be peroxide-tested before being deposited, and be marked “Peroxide test OK” on the label, including the date of the test. However, if you encounter solutions suspected to contain high levels of peroxides, do not touch the bottle, block the lab and contact the University´s waste contractor for hazardous waste and the Section for Safety and Security, 08-16 42 00.
NB! Always contact staff of the University´s contractor for hazardous waste if you are not sure what to do.
Gels, buffers, dyeing solutions, etc.
Acryl amide – polymerised gels are places in closed packaging, for example, a tied plastic bag, to avoid dusting. Then they are placed in a container for hazardous waste. Monomers are placed in jars and handled as small chemical residues.
Ethidium bromide – stock solution and pure ethidium bromide are handled as small chemicals. Gels containing low concentrations of ethidium bromide must be packed in plastic bags and then placed in containers for hazardous waste. Contaminated pipette tips, gloves, underlay paper, etc. must be placed in containers for hazardous waste.
Buffer solutions and dyeing baths must be treated so that the concentration of ethidium bromide is reduced. Merck Eurolab AB och Tamro MedLab, for instance, have several products for the treatment of ethidium bromide solutions. Many use ’tea bags’ to clean solutions and baths. The ‘tea bags’ are placed in plastic packaging and handled as small chemicals.
Solutions and baths can also be treated with 1 g of active carbon per litre of solution. The solution stirred overnight and is then filtered. The carbon is treated as small chemicals.
There are restrictions from Stockholm vatten och avlopp about emptying into drains, see Procedures for the disposal of liquid chemical residues and aqueous solutions. If there is any uncertainty whatsoever, collect liquid residues and deposit as hazardous waste.
Marking/labelling
Stockholm University waste label filled in with:
- A or B-substance? (according to appendix 1of AFS 2014:43): (x)
- CMR- substance? (according to 38§ AFS 2014:43): (x)
- Type of waste, specification.
State the contents in per cent, and also the proportion of water. Heavy metals must be given in a mass percentage; the pH value of solutions must be given.
- Solvent residues – note that all components of the contents must be stated on the label. Markings such as 'slop’ or ‘waste’ must not be used.
- Substances that can form peroxides such as ethers must be peroxide tested before being deposited, and be marked "Peroxide test OK" on the label.
- Submitting department, department number and reference
- Submitter’s name, phone no and date
Hand-over/transport
Waste can be deposited on Wednesdays or Fridays at 10.30–11.00 in room M212 at KÖL (Chemical Education Laboratories), Svante Arrhenius väg 16F. The waste contractor then transports the waste for destruction.
Final disposal
Chemical residues are disposed of in various ways by our waste contractors. Some are destroyed by combustion and some by wet chemical treatment while some are used as landfill.
Specific legislation
AFS 2015:7 Occupational Exposure Limit Values
AFS 2014:43 Chemical Work Environment Risks