Generators of hazardous waste are required to comply with extensive and complex rules and regulations promulgated by federal, state and local regulatory agencies. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) requires a “cradle to grave” system of accounting for hazardous waste; the Department of Transportation requires compliance with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations during transportation of hazardous waste; the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality licenses, inspects and regulates generators, haulers and disposal facilities handling hazardous waste.
The safety guidelines, regulations and procedures presented are intended to help generators comply with governmental rules and regulations designed to protect human health and the environment. Strict compliance with these regulations ensures the waste is managed, transported, and disposed of safely and properly while reducing potential liability to the University.
- Use waste containers that are in good condition to ensure that your waste is safely contained while in your possession and during transport.
- Attach a completed University of Michigan "Hazardous Waste" label to your container. This helps emergency responders identify your waste containers quickly.
- For information about completing the "Hazardous Waste" label click here.
- Keep all containers closed except when adding waste to prevent accidental spills and evaporation.
- Ensure that your waste is not kept for longer than 60 days to ensure disposal in a timely manner.
- Please call your waste in for pick up within 60 days of your accumulation start date. This will ensure that the waste will be sent for disposal prior to the 90-day regulatory limit.
- Ensure that an accumulation start date is written on the waste label. That allows you to know exactly how much time you have before the waste must be sent off for disposal.
- Have waste labels visible for inspection to allow emergency responders to easily identify your wastes. It also allows you to keep better track of your wastes.
- Provide adequate secondary containment for waste containers so that if your container starts to leak, the spill can be limited from spreading and making the contamination problems larger.
- Identify all chemicals and document them on the waste label and manifest so that all of the waste constituents in your container can be identified. This helps the people handling and disposing of your waste know what hazards are involved. It also helps emergency responders know what steps to take if they have to respond to an incident involving your waste.
- Keep you containers kept in a secure location. Ensure they are protect from exposure to weather, vandalism and unauthorized access.
- Chemical Waste Bulletin
- Chemical Waste Containers
- Chemical Waste Poster
- Environment, Health, Safety and Waste Minimization Programs
- Helpful Hints for Completing the Hazardous Waste Label
- Proper Selection of Hazardous Waste Containers
- Proper Waste Management of Solvent Contaminated Wipes
- "P" Listed Hazardous Waste Codes
- "U" Listed Hazardous Waste Codes