Waste Handling: Difference between revisions

Recyclable waste is any material collected on campus that can be recycled. The most common recycled materials are mixed paper, cardboard, plastic, tin, scrap metal, and aluminum. For questions about recycling, email [mailto:recycling@unmc.edu recycling@unmc.edu], call 402-559-5462 or 402-559-5300, or visit the Live Green site at https://www.unmc.edu/business-finance/sustainability/.

Decontaminate liquid biohazardous waste (such as human blood, aspirated culture media, infectious human or animal body fluids, and liquid bacterial cultures) by steam sterilization (i.e. autoclave) or treatment with an appropriate chemical disinfectant (such as freshly prepared bleach) for the recommended contact time (20 minutes for 1:10 final dilution with bleach). After decontamination, liquids may be poured down the drain to the sanitary sewer while flushing with cold water. See [sehttps://www.unmc.edu/ehs/FactSheets/SanitarySewerDisposal.pdf Sewer Disposal Fact Sheet] for guidance. Please note solutions containing biological toxins must be decontaminated in a manner that also inactivates the toxin. Contact Environmental Health & Safety Department (EHS) at 402-559-6356 prior to drain disposal if using disinfectants other than bleach.

Chemical waste is any chemical or chemical material that is used or no longer needed and destined for disposal. Chemicals and chemical materials are disposed of in accordance with the EPA regulations. EPA also requires UNMC to have a [https://www.unmc.edu/ehs/_documents/UNMCWasteMinimizationPlan10_2018.pdf Waste Minimization Plan] for hazardous waste. Use the [https://www.unmc.edu/ehs/FactSheets/ChemicalDisposal.pdf Chemical Disposal Fact] Sheet for guidance on disposing of chemicals. Please see the Hazardous Material Fact Sheets for information on some specific chemical waste streams. Nebraska Public Service Laboratory waste will be handled per internal guidelines and chain-of-custody requirements. For additional information on chemical disposal, please contact EHS at (402-559-6356).   

Certain non-hazardous liquid chemicals can be disposed to the sanitary sewer. Please see the Hazardous Material Fact Sheet [https://www.unmc.edu/ehs/FactSheets/SanitarySewerDisposal.pdf Sanitary Sewer Disposal] for a list of these chemicals. All other liquid chemicals and chemical waste must be tagged and given to EHS for proper disposal.

Empty containers must be properly handled to ensure the safety of laboratory and EVS staff. Please see the Hazardous Materials Fact Sheet [https://www.unmc.edu/ehs/FactSheets/EmptyChemicalContainerDisposal.pdf Empty Chemical Container Disposal].

Additional information can be found online in the Hazardous Material Fact Sheet, [https://www.unmc.edu/ehs/FactSheets/UniversalWasteStorage_Disposal.pdf Universal Waste]. Questions concerning disposal of universal waste can be addressed by contacting EHS at (402-559-6356).

Radioactive waste is any material with detectable radioactivity above background levels. These materials are handled in accordance with Radioactive Materials and Waste policies and procedures. Contact EHS/Radiation Safety at (402-559-6356) for disposal guidelines or see Section B-8 of the [https://www.unmc.edu/ehs/Manuals/RSM2014updated.pdf Radiation Safety Manual].

Mixed waste (radioactive, biohazardous, and/ or chemical) must be disposed of in accordance with the state regulations as outlined in the Hazardous Materials Fact Sheet, [https://www.unmc.edu/ehs/FactSheets/MixedRadioactiveChemicalWasteDisposal.pdf Mixed Waste Disposal].