Laboratory Waste Disposal
Facility Waste Disposal
Properly managing wastes generated at UVM is essential. Mishandling unwanted material can damage the environment and/or be hazardous to the people who handle the material downstream.
Aerosol Cans
Any type of spray can. Most aerosols have a flammable or chlorinated solvent propellant. Empty, partially-full, or unused cans must be collected as waste.
Do:
- Remove plastic cap from each can. Throw caps in regular trash.
- Collect aerosols in a clear bag.
- Leave tagged bag in the building/room where they are generated.
- Call 656-5408 to request a properly labeled waste container to collect unwanted cans.
Don't:
- Throw aerosols cans in regular trash.
- Collect whipped cream cans; these can go in the regular trash.
- Mix or dispose sterno cans or trash in the aerosol waste drum.
How to get a pickup:
- Fill out a Hazardous Waste Tag.
- Tape the completed tag to the waste container. One tag can be used for multiple cans.
- Enter the waste tag online.
Ballasts
This includes PCB, non-PCB and electronic ballasts. Risk Mgmt & Safety provides PPD zones with a properly labeled waste container to collect ballasts - call 656-5408 to request a collection container.
Do:
- Clip all wired attached to ballast; throw wires in scrap metal bin.
- Collect all types of ballasts together in one waste container.
- Waste container must be labeled with a "Universal Waste" sticker.
- Container label must face forward and be visible at all times.
- Lid must be secured when not in use.
Don't:
- Throw ballasts in regular trash.
How to get a pickup:
- Ballast drums are located in PPD zone monthly pickup locations.
- Ballasts are picked up by RM&S on the last Thursday of each month.
- No waste tag needs to be completed.
Batteries
Small assorted batteries such as alkaline, NiCad, lithium, and button cell. Small appliance batteries are considered recyclable waste. Please do not bring in batteries from home; use your Regional Solid Waste District for personal battery disposal. Call UVM Recycling at 656-4171 to get a brown battery bucket.
Do:
- Collect assorted batteries together in one container.
- Approved collection containers include the following: a brown battery bucket, a ziptop bag, a small cardboard box, and a green "Techno Trash" bin.
- Waste container does not require any special labeling.
- Small lead acid batteries are ok to be included in the grouping.
Don't:
- Include large lead acid batteries (e.g. car battery) in this collection.
How to get a pickup:
- Bring to PPD zone monthly pickup location.
- Assorted battery containers are emptied by RM&S on the last Thursday of each month.
- No waste tag needs to be completed.
Batteries - Lead Acid
Lead acid batteries are considered recyclable waste and contain sulfuric acid and an electrolyte. Please do not bring in personal lead acid batteries from home.
Do:
- Contain any leaking batteries in a poly secondary containment bin.
Don't:
- Leave lead acid batters outside for pickup.
How to get a pickup:
- Consolidate all lead acid batteries at the PPD zone monthly pickup location.
- When possible, store on a pallet.
- Lead acid batteries are picked up by RM&S on the last Thursday of each month.
- No waste tag needs to be completed.
Lightbulbs - Fluorescent and Compact
- Fluorescent: 2 ft, 4 ft, 8 ft, U-tubes, circular, etc.
- Compact: spiral, candle, circular, etc.
Fluorescent bulbs are all collected and recycled as Universal Waste. For large bulb removal or replacement projects, call 802-656-5408 BEFORE the project begins. Cardboard cylinders for numerous bulbs can be provided.
Do:
- Remove all corrugated cardboard inserts.
- Separate out broken bulbs - these are considered hazardous waste and must be collected separately. See the broken bulb accordion.
- Boxes must be taped closed when not in use, even when not full.
- Each box must have a completed "Universal Waste Lamps" sticker.
- Compact bulbs, regardless of type, can go in one box.
Don't:
- Collect compaft bulbs and 4 ft bulbs in one box together.
- Collect incandescent bulbs - these may go in the regular trash.
- Tape bulbs together. Remove ALL tape before placing intact bulbs in the collection box.
- Transport loose bulbs in vehicles, since loose bulbs are fragile.
- Deliver bulbs to Environmental Safety Facility on Spear Street.
How to get a pickup:
- Consolidate lightbulbs at the PPD Zone monthly pickup location.
- Full lightbulb boxes are picked up by RM&S on the last Thursday of each month. No waste tag needs to be completed.
Lightbulbs - Broken Bulbs
Broken bulbs of any type are collected and disposed as hazardous waste.
Do:
- Use a CLEAR bag to collect broken bulbs.
- Tape the bag closed to prevent spilling of the white powder.
- Leave the broken bulb at or near the location it was broken.
- Throw intact and broken incandescent bulbs in the regular trash.
Don't:
- Throw broken bulbs in the regular trash.
How to get a pickup:
- Fill out a Hazardous Waste Tag, and enter the information online.
- Tape the completed tag to the bulb/bag.
Oils and Oily Debris
Oily rags and ily debris (e.g. speedi-dry contaminated with oil) are regulated in Vermont as hazardous waste. Used oil has a relaxed set of rules, but it must still be collected for RM&S staff to manage.
Do:
- Separate oils by TYPE: motor oil, hydraulic oil, linseed oil, etc.
- Transport these liquid wastes to a monthly zone drop off location.
- Drain oil from filters.
- Oily rags, drained filters, and oily spill clean-up debris (including oily gloves) can be collected together.
- Collect oily rags in a safety can.
Don't:
- Mix gasoline or solvent-contaminated rags with oily rags - collect them separately.
How to get a pickup:
- Used oil: Leave oil at the PPD Zone monthly pickup location. Used oil will be picked up by RM&S on the last Thursday of each month.
- Oil-contaminated materials: Leave the material at or near the location it was generated. Fill out a Hazardous Waste Tag, enter the tag online, and tape the completed tag to the waste container.
Paint and Related Materials
UVM collect all leftover paint and recycles it through the Vermont waste paint collection program.
DO:
- Secure the lid on each paint can.
- Stack and store waste paint cans upright.
- Separate latex paints from oil-based paints.
- Collect paint-related materials such as epoxy and glues. Keep the Part B epoxy component separate.
- Air-dry empty latex paint cans. Once dry, dispose of metal containers in scrap metal recycling and plastic containers in the regular trash.
DON'T:
- Leave waste paint cans outside or on loading docks.
- Air-dry or dispose of oil-based paint cans in the trash.
How to get a pickup:
- Consolidate paint cans at the PPD Zone monthly pickup location.
- Paint cans are picked up by RM&S on the last Thursday of each month. No waste tag needs to be completed.
Propane Canisters - full, partially full, and empty canisters
- Small tanks: All small empty propane or mapp gas canisters should be collected at UVM.
- 20 lb tanks: All 20 lb tanks should be returned to a gas vendor (e.g. Blue Flame) or dropped off at one of the Chittenden Solid Waste (CSWD) drop-off centers.
Do:
- Collect full, 1/2 full, and empty propane or mapp gas tanks.
- Store in a flammable cabinet, when possible.
Don't:
- Throw empty tanks in the scrap metal or trash bin.
- Bring grill or propane tanks to campus from home.
How to get a pickup:
- Small tanks: Complete a Hazardous Waste Tag; several small canisters may be included on ONE tag. Enter the information online, and tape the tag to the individual or group of canisters.
- 20 lb tanks: Return to vendor or CSWD drop-off center.
Solvents, Epoxies, Glues, Glycols, etc.
These items are collected as hazardous waste. Examples include acetone, mineral spirits and other alcohols, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, etc.
Do:
- Leave unused or hardened products that require disposal in their original location.
- Place any container that is leaking in a clear bag or in a plastic pin to contain any drips or spills.
- Separate epoxy Part A and Part B materials.
- Use one tag to dispose of multiple, identical materials.
Don't:
- Transport these chemicals to the Environmental Safety Facility on Spear Street.
- Throw these regulated waste materials into the regular trash.
How to get a pickup:
- Complete a Hazardous Waste Tag for each TYPE of materials.
- Enter the information online.
- Tape the tag to the individual or group of containers.
Sternos - full, 1/2 full, and empty containers
Sternos contain a flammable gel and must be collected as hazardous waste. RM&S provides UVM Dining Facilities with a properly labeled waste container to collect full, 1/2 full, and empty sterno cans.
Do:
- Collect ALL sterno cans, whether they are empty or not.
- Ensure the drum label is facing forward and it is visible at all times.
- Properly close the waste container when not in use.
Don't:
- Throw aerosol cans or trash in the sterno waste drum.
- Throw sterno cans in the regular trash.
How to get a pickup:
- RM&S pick up sterno waste drums from all UVM Dining Services locations on the first Monday of each month.
Recycling Guide
Learn the proper way to recycle on Recycling & Waste Management