Hazardous Waste Minimization
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On average, EH&S collects and processes about 200,000 kg of hazardous chemical waste a year. Since 1985, we have been working to reduce the amount of hazardous waste that ends up in an incinerator. For the last five years, we reused, recycled, or treated about 40% of our chemical waste. Product elimination, product substitution, reuse, recycling and treatment are preferable to incineration.

We have the following programs and helpful links to reduce the hazardous waste generated by research, facilities, and other campus activities. Some of these programs include recycling and treatment protocols endorsed by EH&S. Please follow these protocols to ensure that you avoid any additional hazards associated with recycling or treatment.

Acid and base neutralization Procedures for the laboratory.
Ethidium bromide filtration Filtering ethidium bromide and other dyes. Includes information about ethidium bromide substitutes.
Formaldehyde destruction Destruction of formaldehyde (or formalin) so that it may be sewered.
Mercury thermometers and equipment Our thermometer exchange program and why you should replace your mercury containing equipment with mercury-free substitutes.
Photographic fixer filtration Our program for filtering and recycling silver in fixer.
Purchase Minimization Up to 40% of hazardous waste from universities is actually unwanted or expired chemicals.
UW Chemical Exchange Free chemicals through MyChem. Some restrictions apply.
Xylene distillation and reuse Our distillation and redistribution program. High quality, low prices.
Waste Evaluation Form Use this form to request our evaluation of possibilities for reuse, recycling or treatment of your waste. If there are no alternatives, then we will collect and dispose of the waste for you.
Guide for Laboratory Waste Management (pdf) Published by King County, this guide has more ideas for waste treatment by laboratories as well as general information about hazardous chemical management. Outside site.
Green Chemicals Purchasing Wizard Published by MIT, this web-based tool allows you to search a list of laboratory chemicals. The Wizard identifies more environmentally benign chemicals or processes and provides journal references. Outside site.