Hazardous Waste Management
The Ministry of Environment (MOE) regulates the disposal of all hazardous waste material at Carleton University. This waste can include among others chemicals, biomedical, sharps, used oil, scintillation waste, batteries. All of these streams must be managed appropriately according to government and to Carleton University procedures. Contact the Manager, Laboratory and Academic Program Safety for assistance in classifying your waste: tina.preseau@carleton.ca or at ext. 3809
Hazardous Waste Management Information:
- Regulations and Responsibilities
- MOE Guidance and Waste Classes
- Disposal and Waste Manifests
- Control, Handling, Empty Containers and Storage Duration
- Specific Waste Types
- Laboratory Decommissioning and Waste Minimization
The City of Ottawa regulates the use of storm and sanitary sewers. For additional information view the SEWER USE GUIDELINES: Disposal of Liquid Chemical Waste.
| Waste Types | Definition | Examples | Waste Container | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sharps (Uncontaminated, Biologically and/or Chemically contaminated) | An instrument/ material that can cause punctures or cuts to the skin whether contaminated or not with biological or chemical material. | Blades, needles (and attached syringe), lancets, etc. | A rigid, puncture resistant and leak proof container | Not to be decontaminated at Carleton University | Labelled with hazardous waste label and brought to designated hazardous waste area for pickup by a waste disposal company. |
| Broken Glass | Non contaminated broken or waste glassware that can cause injury | Waste graduated glass pipettes, Erlenmeyers, glass tubes, Pasteur pipettes, etc. | Glass disposal box or cardboard box clearly marked with “broken glassware for disposal “ | N/A | Securely close the marked, cardboard box and place next to regular garbage pail. Or follow departmental policy (e.g. bringing the cardboard box to designated waste areas) |
| Liquid Chemical Waste | Hazardous chemical waste resulting from laboratory process or expired/unwanted chemicals | Waste organic solvents, acidic and basic solutions, etc. | Empty glass reagent bottles | Not to be decontaminated at Carleton University | Labelled with hazardous waste label and brought to designated hazardous waste area for pickup by a waste disposal company. Consult the sewer use guidelines. |
| Solid Chemical Waste | Hazardous solid chemical waste resulting from laboratory process or expired/unwanted chemicals or objects that have become contaminated with hazardous chemicals | Waste powders, chemically contaminated lab waste (e.g. weighing dishes, broken glassware, gloves) | Sturdy, chemically compatible container for transport and storage | Not to be decontaminated at Carleton University | Labelled with hazardous waste label and brought to designated hazardous waste area for pickup by a waste disposal company. |
| Biologically Contaminated Laboratory Waste | Hazardous Biological waste or objects that have become contaminated with biohazardous material | Biologically contaminated lab waste (e.g. Eppendorf tubes, pipette tips, cell culture plates, Petri dishes, blood soaked gauzes, gloves) | Approved autoclave bag that is supported and raised off the floor. | Decontaminated using an appropriate chemical disinfectant (e.g. 10% bleach solution) or an autoclave set for the appropriate cycle | Once decontaminated, it is considered treated biomedical waste and can go into regular garbage.ORLabelled with hazardous waste label and brought to designated hazardous waste area for pickup by a waste disposal company. |
| Pathological Waste | Animal carcass or tissue, human tissue or bodily fluid | Mouse and rat carcasses, human saliva, human blood | Fibreboard drum and red liner supplied by waste disposal company | Not to be decontaminated at Carleton University | Brought to designated hazardous waste area for pickup by a waste disposal company. |
| Empty chemical bottles | Bottles that once contained chemicals that are now completely empty and destined for disposal | COMPLETELY empty solvent bottles or empty solid chemical containers | N/A | Rinse bottle/container ensuring the rinsate complies with sewer use guidelines*.Leave cap off to dry. | Place uncapped plastic containers inside garbage and uncapped glass bottles next to regular garbage. Or follow departmental policy (e.g. bringing them to designated waste areas). Remove barcode sticker and follow chemical inventory protocol. |
*If the rinsate does not comply with sewer use guidelines, the bottle must be disposed of as chemically contaminated laboratory waste.