Waste Management

Where does it all go?

Chemical Waste

We collect and dispose of roughly 200 tons of hazardous chemical waste every year. Roughly 60% of it is incinerated at an EPA permitted facility in Arkansas or, if it cannot be incinerated, sent to a hazardous waste landfill in Oregon. The other 40% is reused, recycled, treated, or used as an alternative energy source. For more information about chemical reuse, recycling and treatment at the University of Washington, see our Chemical Waste Reduction Program.

Radioactive Waste

Dry or liquid radioactive waste with a half-life greater than 100 days is stabilized and then buried at Hanford.

Dry or liquid waste with a half-life between 15 and 100 days may be stabilized and then buried at Hanford or held for ten half-lives and then disposed of as non-radioactive waste. Contact Radiation Safety at 206.543.6328 for details.

Dry or liquid waste with a half-life less than 100 days may be held for decay and than disposed of in the normal waste stream.

Scintillation cocktail fluid waste that is also hazardous chemical waste is incinerated at a special permitted facility in Florida. However, there are three brands of non-flammable scintillation fluid currently approved for disposal down the sink.

Biohazardous Waste

Most biohazardous waste is treated in a steam sterilizer and then buried in an appropriate landfill. Some pathological waste and infected animals are incinerated.

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