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BU Chemistry Department Waste Disposal Program:
There are some general rules to follow in deciding the appropriate means of disposal for laboratory generated waste. Only certain chemicals may be disposed down a drain connected to the sanitary sewer. No other drains (e.g. storm sewers) should ever be used for disposing of any chemical materials. Only water soluble, non-toxic, non-flammable, non-corrosive, non-reactive or non-odiferous material should be disposed in a drain. If found to be drain disposable, the waste can be disposed of in small quantities (a few hundred grams or milliliters) at a time and flushed with a large excess of water. Strongly acidic or basic solutions should be neutralized before disposal down the drain. The decision regarding appropriate waste disposal will depend on the chemicals used in any particular experiment. Helpful guidelines for determining the appropriateness of drain disposal for both organic and inorganic laboratory generated waste can be found in Prudent Practices for Disposal of Chemicals in Laboratories, National Academy Press, Washington, D.C., 1981. A copy of this book is available in the main storeroom, room # 238. When chemical wastes generated in the instructional laboratories are not appropriate for drain disposal, they will be collected in marked containers which identify the experiment and the contents of the waste. Inorganic waste will be stored as a solid in liter size (or smaller) containers which identify the contents. Inorganic wastes will not be combined. In general, organic waste generated in either teaching or research laboratories will be collected in large plastic storage bottles provided in the hoods. Organic wastes can be combined but should contain no solids or water. When waste containers in the laboratories are filled, they will be transferred to temporary storage containers located in Olin 064. They will remain here pending removal by the chemical waste disposal company under contract to the University.
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