Waste Evaluation Request
Request a Waste Evaluation if you are unsure how to dispose of a chemical.
Staff & Contacts List
Hazardous Material Disposal and Recycling
What type of material or equipment do you want to get rid of?
University personnel have the following options for getting rid of hazardous materials and potentially contaminated supplies and equipment.
Note: Not all options are available for all items.
Laboratory Survey Checklist Explanations
Below are questions asked during lab safety inspections and explanations for each question.
Please refer to the Laboratory Safety page for more information.
Fume Hood Condition Explanations
The following are questions and answers in response to receiving a notice on a fume hood.
Frequently asked questions
Why did I receive a Fume Hood Condition Notice?
During routine testing of your fume hood, our surveyor identified conditions that present a potential hazard to the lab and its occupants. These conditions are typically the result of equipment failure or worker practice.
What should I do?
Facilities Safety Equipment Checklist Explanations
Below are questions asked during safety equipment inspections and explanations for each question.
Reduce your risk of a nitric acid incident
Principal investigators planning to use nitric acid should follow safe use and storage practices, develop an SOP and provide documented training to all lab personnel.
The hazards
MyChem users required to upload SDSs
MyChem requires users to upload a safety data sheet (SDS) when adding a new chemical to an inventory if that chemical does not currently exist in the MyChem database. If you have chemicals in your MyChem inventory that do not have an SDS linked to them, you must either upload the missing SDS or have an easily accessible copy of the SDS in your workspace to remain in compliance.
Search for an existing SDS
Record chemical inventories for research vessels in MyChem
Personnel working on UW research vessels can now add their chemical inventories into MyChem, the University’s chemical tracking system. UW personnel who use chemicals or chemical-containing products at any UW owned or leased facility are required to maintain chemical inventories in MyChem, and chemicals can include, but are not limited to, paint, compressed gas cylinders, epoxies, and fuel.
Tips for a successful chemical waste collection
Updated May 15, 2024
Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) has taken steps to increase staffing and is working with campus partners to reduce delays with chemical waste collections. The two most common issues that delay chemical waste pickup from labs include:
Make your electronic Chemical Hygiene Plan
Keeping your safety documents up to date and easily accessible are key for staying safe.