Universities and colleges are homes to some of the best and most innovative laboratories in the world. Whether researching chemical engineering in reference to hypothetical fuel compositions or teaching a course on basic chemistry, researchers in collegiate labs have to deal with a number of safe removal processes. Although many collegiate labs deal with chemicals in small quantities, there are often a great variety, making the safe removal even more difficult and complex.
Whether you are an experienced chemist with decades of lab work under your belt or a student with much more to learn, it can never hurt to review some of the best practices for chemical disposal in a university setting.
Label properly
Labeling procedures vary from country to country, making it difficult to learn the new practices for students and researchers traveling among international universities. But regardless of where you are, it is critical that you follow proper labeling procedure to prevent contamination and dangerous storage of chemicals.
For example, Australia's Montash University outlines Chemsal waste type categories and how to label your waste so that it is treated properly. While in the U.S., the Office of Environmental Health and Safety makes the rules for how and where to label chemical waste and what determines hazardousness.
Labeling procedures across international boundaries are put in place to improve communication between the chemical user and waste disposers. Most labels seek to hold accountability, distinguish hazardousness, explain the chemical's physical state and other pertinent qualities such as flammability or toxicity.
Keep everything properly separated
Although safety conscious chemists may keep potentially reactive chemicals away from one another in a lab setting, the same must be done with waste as well. Australia's University of Sydney reminded labs to segregate any chemicals that may react while preparing the waste. Although many solvents can be combined for disposal, halogenated and non-halogenated cannot.
Limit waste
While some is the result of substances used during an experiment, other chemical waste comes from overpurchasing. Northwestern University advised chemists and researchers to reduce the amount of chemical waste by simply buying smaller quantities to guard against overexposure or expiration.
Use the right tools
Rushing or cutting corners does not help during research and is not smart when disposing of chemicals. Everything from the proper carrying arrangements to the safest storage containers should be utilized to move chemical waste from one location to another, even if a disposal service is coming to pick up the waste.
Following best practices for waste removal are just the last steps in smart and safe lab procedures.
