Hello, The federal Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, has rules and laws about how to dispose of hazardous waste. Hazardous waste can be harmful to people and the environment. Also, there are state or school rules that can be more strict than the EPA rules.
Most labs you will do in this course will not involve hazardous waste. However, it is important that you follow any rules your school has about disposing trash.
Here are a few guidelines for disposing of waste in the lab:
1 – Separate waste into compatible groups. You don’t want to mix two chemicals that might cause an explosion.
2 – Use only glass or polyethylene (a special kind of plastic) containers for chemical waste. Regular plastic or metal can melt.
3 – Label every waste container properly. Each container should have:
•a red hazardous waste sticker.
•a label stating what kind of waste is inside of it.
4 – Store hazardous waste in a safe, explosive-proof cabinet, away from drains or sinks.
5 – Do not store hazards next to materials that could explode when mixed.
A hazardous waste container
6 – Bottles of waste should always be capped.
7 – Other items besides chemicals require special attention at garbage time. Sharp tools, like knife blades, should be wrapped carefully, and the wrapping should be taped closed. If there is a safety container provided, dispose of the blades in that container.
Glass should also be wrapped in paper or put into a plastic container before disposal. There should be a separate place to dispose of glass. Glass used in a lab might be contaminated with chemicals and need to go to a hazardous waste management center.