Disposing of Hazardous Chemicals

The full list of disposal procedures of UBC's Department of Health, Safety & Environment is available here. Note that metals and glass used on biological tissues also fall under "Biological Waste".

If you learn of modifications to the instructions below please let me know (schluter@zoology.ubc.ca) and I can update this page.

Formalin

Follow this procedure once there are several gallons of formalin to dospose of. Place the waste formalin in plastic bottles that won't be missed. Package the bottles into a sturdy cardboard box taped shut with the following information written on the outside:
CODE 45 [circled]
Formalin Waste for Incineration
Schluter Lab, Zoology Department, 2-3383
Put the appropriate barcode sticker (generator number G-0376; obtain from the fish disposal kit in the freezer by the wet lab) and hazard symbol (get from Stores) on the box. Place the box in the pickup room off the landing dock outside stores (the door before the cooler). The box will be picked up within a week (no need to phone anyone).

Ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, and other solvents

Use this procedure to dispose of gallons of solvents. Obtain bar code stickers (generator number G-0376) from the fish disposal kit in the freezer by the wet lab. Bring the appropriate number of bar code stickers to Stores, where 1-gallon solvent disposal containers can be obtained. Attach the stickers to the tags. Fill the containers with the solvent to be disposed. Return the containers to the pickup room, which is the first door off the landing outside Stores. The containers should be picked up within the week.

MS-222

Place the waste MS222 in plastic bottles that won't be missed. Package the bottles into a sturdy cardboard box taped shut with the following information written on the outside:
CODE 45 [circled]
MS-222 Waste for Incineration
Schluter Lab, Zoology Department, 2-3383
Put the appropriate barcode sticker (generator number G-0376; obtain from the fish disposal kit in the freezer by the wet lab) and hazard symbol (get from Stores) on the box. Place the box in the pickup room off the landing dock outside stores (the door before the cooler). The box will be picked up within a week (no need to phone anyone).

KOH

KOH is a base. To dispose of, follow the general procedures for acid/base neutralization and disposal (see below)

Acid/Base Neutralization Procedure for Laboratory Disposal

The following was taken from a Sept 2000 memo from the Department of Health, Safety and Environment, UBC.
  1. Take safety precautions recommended in the MSDS. NOTE: specific procedures must be used for the disposal of Hydrofluoric and Perchloric acids.
  2. Dilute acid or base to roughly 5% or 1 M by adding to cold/ice water
  3. Neutralize by slowly adding neutralizing agent with stirring * inorganic base for acids, usually 5% solution of NaOH or Na2CO3 * inorganic acid for bases, usually 5% solution of HCl
  4. Confirm that the pH is neutral (6-8).
  5. Dispose neutralized solution into the drain unless neutralization product is toxic (toxic materials include but are not limited to those containing heavy metals - Arsenic, Cadmium, Mercury, Lead, Iron, Copper, Zinc, and others - or toxic anions - Cyanide, Sulphide, and others). If toxic, contact ESF for disposal.
For disposal of large quantities of concentrated acids and bases, or for more information on hazardous waste disposal or Chemical Conservation Programs contact the Environmental Programs Officer (822-9280 or lee@safety.ubc.ca).