Campus Safety and Security

Hazardous Waste Disposal

Section: Campus Safety and Security Policies
Policy Name: Hazardous Waste Disposal
Policy Owner: Executive Vice President
Responsible University Office: Office of Environmental Health and Safety
Origination Date: November 15, 1978
Revisions: June 5, 1989; May 1, 1996
Legacy Policy Number: 7-18
  1. PURPOSETo ensure the disposal of hazardous waste is conducted in compliance with the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and Delaware regulations governing the disposal of hazardous waste.
  2. POLICYCommon examples of chemical waste requiring disposal under this policy include but are not limited to: spent solvents, outdated laboratory research chemicals, spent acids and bases, lead-acid batteries, nickel/cadmium batteries, unusable or broken mercury thermometers and barometers, chemical waste generated from experiments, waste silica gel, full or partially full aerosol cans, non-returnable gas cylinders, paint materials and used oil filters.
    1. No person shall dispose of a hazardous material except with the approval and in accordance with procedures established by the Department of Environmental Health and Safety.
    2. Hazardous materials and hazardous wastes shall be properly identified and stored. Departments shall be responsible for the identification of unknown waste.
    3. Departments shall purchase and use hazardous materials in quantities that minimize waste generation but are consistent with operational needs.
    4. In general, departments will not be billed for hazardous waste disposal. However, departments may be billed for the disposal of unknowns and other unusual waste (i.e., PCBs, furans, dioxins, explosives, etc.).
    5. Departments should provide training to all generators of hazardous waste at least annually. Contact the Department of Environmental Health and Safety for assistance in providing this training.

For more information regarding this policy, contact the Department of Environmental Health and Safety (ext. 8475).