Documents

Mandatory Postings

Safety Training

Chemical Waste

Universal Waste

• Universal Waste Label

Pestcide Use

Animal Bites

Field Safety

Disposal of Universal Waste

For the protection of custodians and waste handlers, there are a number of hazardous materials that may not be disposed of in trash cans (e.g., sharps, medical, biological and radiological waste, chemicals). These are covered in Safety Net #12, Why Didn't the Custodian Pick Up My Trash? An additional category of hazardous waste that may not be disposed of in trash cans is called universal waste. These materials include:

• Anything containing mercury (e.g., thermometers, thermostats)
• Batteries of all kinds
• Fluorescent lamps
• Aerosol spray cans

Storage containers:

Use cardboard boxes, plastic tubs or sturdy plastic bags for temporary storage of universal waste. No former food containers or anything that looks like a food container may be used.

Labeling:

Any universal waste items temporarily stored in your office or lab (e.g., batteries, aerosol cans) must be identified with a completely filled out UCD Universal Waste Label [see: Universal Waste Label]. The initial date of accumulation is important to fill in because you must to dispose of universal waste through EH&S within 9 months of that date. Attach the Universal Waste Label to the container holding the waste.

Disposal:

EH&S does not have a specific on-line site for requesting pick-up of universal waste but they have asked that we follow the same procedures used for requesting pick-up of hazardous chemical waste: Go to the EH&S Web site at http://ehs.ucdavis.edu/, click on Hazardous Waste, then click on Waste Pick-up Requests and select Chemical. Fill out the form as completely as you can.

Items containing mercury: Submit a Hazardous Waste Pick-up Request to EH&S as described above.

Batteries: Rechargeable and non-rechargeable dry-cell batteries, such as those used in cameras, calculators, flashlights, etc., may be deposited in designated bins located at Haring Hall, the MU and the Primate Center, or you may submit a Hazardous Waste Pick-up Request to EH&S as described above.

Fluorescent lamps: These are to be replaced by Operations & Maintenance personnel only; if a fluorescent lamp in your office or lab goes out, call the Facilities Services work order desk at 752-1655 to arrange for replacement.

Aerosol spray cans: Submit a Hazardous Waste Pick-up Request to EH&S as described above.

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