Chemical waste disposal guidelines
After disposing of your chemicals, make sure you update the quantity in your myLab chemical inventory.
Bulk waste
Bulk waste stored in hazardous waste rooms is collected on a weekly basis. Request hazardous waste room access by filling out the form in our request and forms section. If there is no waste room in your area, please request a pickup using the myLab software. You do not need to submit a request in myLab for bulk waste stored in hazardous waste rooms.
The following containers must be used to hold bulk wastes:
Corrosive waste container
Use: Corrosive liquids
Volume: 20 litres or 10 litres
Colour code: Yellow container with red cap
Supplied with: Empty label to declare content
Special notes:
- For safety reasons, do not fill above 3/4 full.
- Do not use the containers for concentrated material or as a dilution vessel.
- Do not mix different materials. For example: do not mix acids and bases together.
- The containers are to be used for spent solutions only. Do not pour chemicals directly from their original containers, as we will pick those up in their original bottle.
- Make sure the label is filled out appropriately.
- These are reusable containers which are only washed and decontaminated on the outside. The containers should be used only for their intended purpose.
Solvent waste container
Use: Solvent liquids
Volume: 20 litres or 10 litres
Color code: White container with red cap
Supplied with: Empty label to declare content
Special notes:
- For safety reasons, do not fill above 3/4 full.
- Do not mix different materials; each solvent should be segregated.
- Do not use the containers as a dilution vessel.
- Make sure the label is filled out appropriately.
- These are reusable containers which are only washed and decontaminated on the outside. The containers should be used only for their intended purpose.
Chemicals in their original containers (lab-packs)
Chemicals in their original containers need to be picked up from the laboratory and should not go to the hazardous waste rooms.
Expired chemicals are collected, packaged, and transported using steel drums (lab-pack). A lab-pack is an open-headed drum, which is filled only with compatible materials. These items must be packed in a safe layer using a suitable packing material, which acts as an insulator, buffer and absorbent. A lab-pack is self-contained, sealed and secured by a lid, ring and bolt. A weight restriction of 80 kg/drum is observed.
To request a pickup, please use the myLab software.
Disposal of unknown chemicals
Any unknown chemicals that cannot be identified cannot be disposed of safely. These unknown chemicals will remain the responsibility of the owner.
Any analysis that must be performed will be done at the expense of the client/department.
