Reminders for all Hazardous waste generators
- Do I know about the hazards (e.g. reactivity and toxicity) of the chemicals I use?
- Read material safety data sheet, chemical safety handbook and chemical dictionary for information.
- Is the CW generated stable to store? Is it readily decompose at room temperature, sensitive to moisture, light and air?
- If yes, immediate treatment/disposal of this CW is necessary.
- Is the CW producing gas or likely to evolve gas on standing?
- Gas evolution is sign of chemical reaction in progress. The reaction must be ceased before a CW can be dispose of to a chemical waste container. Continuous gas production can build up pressure inside a capped CW container to explosive level.
- Temporarily keep the CW in an operating fume cupboard until gas evolution is completed.
- Do I know the correct waste stream of my chemical waste?
- Refer to CW streaming guide in
- “Procedures for Disposal of Chemical Waste” booklet, section A.4,
- “HKUST Safety and Environmental Protection Manual” chapter 16, section D4, or
- Refer to CW streaming guide in
- Do I have a standard CW container for my generated waste?
- If no, request for a standard CW container at HSEO website/Hazardous Waste/Request for CW Collection
- Is the CW compatible with the waste currently inside the CW container?
- Conduct a compatibility test with reference to procedure in
- “Procedures for Disposal of Chemical Waste” booklet, section A.7,
- “HKUST Safety and Environmental Protection Manual” chapter 16, section D7, or
- HSEO website
- Some dangerous reaction products can be formed with delay; CW generators must pay attention to special cases.
- Read chemical compatibility information
- E.g. HSEO website which consists of i) a chemical compatibility chart, ii) examples of incompatibility chemicals, and iii) examples of potentially incompatible waste groups.
- Consult your supervisor
- Conduct a compatibility test with reference to procedure in
- Do I fill-out the chemical waste log sheet immediately after I dispose of a CW into a CW container?
- Information on the chemical waste log sheet is very important in tracking the compatibility among different batches of CW which are disposed of to a same container, therefore, remember to fill-out the log sheet immediately after disposal.
- Do I have a spill tray for the CW container?
- All liquid waste containers need spill trays. If you do not have a spill tray, raise a request at HSEO website/Hazardous Waste/Request for CW Collection
- Do I inspect the CW container periodically for leakage, deformation and deterioration?
- CW container can be deformed if it is subject to high pressure or/and highly drastic reagent.
- Do I comply with the general requirements stated in the “Checklist for CW Management” at HSEO website/Hazardous Waste
Remedial action is necessary if the answer to any one item is "NO".