| Hazardous chemical waste | Proper disposal of chemicals that are toxic, flammable, corrosive, and/or reactive |
| Trash disposal guidelines | When and how to dispose of chemicals in the trash |
| Sewer disposal guidelines | When and how to dispose of chemicals in the sink |
| Empty containers | How to dispose of empty chemical containers |
| Extremely hazardous waste | More stringent rules apply |
| Acutely hazardous waste | More stringent rules apply |
| Hazardous waste reduction | Chemical reuse, recycling and treatment protocols |
| Unknown chemicals | Identification and disposal of unlabeled chemicals |
| Pharmaceuticals | Tracking and incineration of expired or unwanted drugs |
| Hazardous materials recycling | Oil, fluorescent tubes, metals, empty drums, printer cartridges and much more |
| Battery recycling | Recycling of all types of batteries |
| Sharps and laboratory glass | Proper disposal of needles, pipets, broken beakers and more |
| Biological Waste | Sterilization or incineration of biohazardous materials |
| Radioactive Waste | Collection and disposal of radioisotopes and more |
| Mixed Waste | Disposal of substances that are both radioactive and chemically hazardous |
| Liquid scintillation cocktails | Disposal of liquids that are radioactive and hazardous - and the three types that can be sewered |
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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