Waste Management

Hazardous wastes are generated from numerous sources at the College including teaching and research laboratories, art departments, and Facilities Management. Hazardous waste generators at each of these sites are responsible for determining if their wastes are hazardous (with the assistance of EHS) and for properly collecting, storing and labeling them. 

EHS manages the comprehensive program for the management of hazardous materials from College of Charleston operations.

Environmental protection, regulatory requirements and escalating disposal costs underline the importance of waste generators doing their part to ensure that wastes are properly managed at the College.

Hazardous Waste Guidelines

  • Biohazardous waste generators must have a biohazard waste management plan in place. This plan must include how the waste will be contained, packaged, and disposed of. At a minimum some of the process may include packaging in a red biohazard bag, placed in a cardboard box with labels that indicate “biohazard”, sealed with tape, labeled with the name of the generating lab and placed in an identified collection area for that department. Sharps and contaminated needles must be placed in a non-penetrate-able container before placing in a box for disposal.
  • Chemical waste must be segregated by hazard, placed in EHS prescribed 5L containers or other approved containers, sealed and appropriately labeled.
  • Labels must be complete before wastes are brought to the collection site from any satellite collection locations.
  • Contact EHS to schedule lab clean-outs or for the removal of wastes that need special handling.
  • Don't pour chemicals down the sink or discard with trash.
  • Store waste chemicals only in compatible containers. Keep containers closed.
  • Attach properly completed hazardous waste labels with date.
  • Store containers in a secure area with secondary containment when possible.
  • Hazardous waste training is required for all persons handling waste.
  • Inspect storage areas weekly.

Waste Minimization and Cost Containment

  • Whenever possible, substitute hazardous materials with less hazardous ones.
  • Purchase only what you need. Although initially it may be cheaper to buy hazardous materials in large quantities, the costs associated with the disposal of the subsequent waste (i.e., hazardous waste) are very high and the impact on the environment is significant.  Proper planning can control the amount of hazardous materials purchased and effectively reduce the amount of hazardous waste generated.
  • Return unopened chemicals or other hazardous materials to the manufacturer if possible.

Hazardous Waste and Campus Disposal Contacts

Hazardous Waste Pickup

Hazardous waste is picked up routinely on the third or fourth Monday of each month by an outside contracted service. Departments accumulating hazardous waste must create a dialogue and compliance discussion with the EHS Department to arrange for containers, documentation, labels, and schedules. Departments wishing to submit hazardous waste for pickup must comply with the process requirements here AND must submit an inventory of the waste to be picked up by including the name and the quantity to EHS at least ten (10) days before the pickup date so that the waste can be profiled by the vendor.

Contact EHS concerning storage of hazardous waste between scheduled pick up times.

Labels

Chemical Segregation

Segregate non-halogenated and halogenated solvents.

Treatment procedures have different costs. Segregation allows some solvents to be recycled.

Segregate acids from mixtures of acids and metals.

Keep hydrochloric acid separate from sulfuric acid contaminated with copper.

Prudent Practices in the Laboratory, Handling and Management of Chemical Hazards, Updated Version (2011) Download pdf Read online external links