University of Minnesota, Duluth
OP-21: Hazardous Waste Management

Safety Training presentations include many references to using the least-hazardous chemical possible to complete the job/research project. Training videos and materials are available at: http://www.d.umn.edu/ehso/safety/lsptrain.html In addition, the Hazardous Chemical Waste Management webpage reminds departments that they are ultimately responsible for all waste they generate. The University of Minnesota is committed to manage hazardous wastes (from cradle to grave) in a safe and environmentally sound manner. Therefore to reduce the burden of compliance and the cost of management of laboratory waste associated with research Chemical Waste Disposal is free of charge to all University Departments who follow basic waste management as required under: Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), enacted in 1976, established the cradle-to-grave management system for hazardous waste (40 CFR Part 260-265 and 266-282), primarily to protect human health and the environment from indiscriminant hazardous waste management practices. State (Minnesota Hazardous waste Rules, Chapter 7045), Local (Western Lake Superior Sanitary District:WLSSD), and University (Hazardous Waste Management Guidebook) regulations. As generators of hazardous chemical waste, UMD departments are responsible for ensuring that their employees follow University of Minnesota guidelines regarding the proper management and disposal of hazardous chemical waste within their laboratories, shops or service areas. Proper disposition of all hazardous materials used in laboratories is, in the first instance the responsibility of the principal investigator or researcher to whom a laboratory is assigned. Ultimate responsibility for hazardous materials management lies with each department.

The Environmental Health and Safety Office provides an online guide to Preparing Chemical Waste for Disposal, which addresses steps from 1) Evaluating Waste to Collecting, Labeling, Segregating, and Transporting wastes. See: http://www.d.umn.edu/ehso/waste_management/steps.html The Chemical Waste Management Guideline offers many resources (including training)on disposing of hazardous, universal, and non-regulated chemical waste. See: http://www.d.umn.edu/ehso/waste_management/gb.html Hazardous Waste Management Training is given to designated employees that manage hazardous waste within each unit, laboratory or service area. Other employees who do not manage hazardous waste must at least be made familiar with the labeling, storage, requirements and how to respond to emergency situations involving hazardous materials.