Hazardous Materials Management
Hazardous materials disposal is governed by strict local, provincial and federal regulations. HSE manages and handles hazardous materials generated on campus in accordance with these regulations. By following the policies and procedures found on this website, the University will ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, UBC Policies and best management practices. For hazardous materials spills please view the Hazardous Materials Spills Procedure website. 
Laboratory wastes and hazardous materials generated by the University through research, academic and operational activities are consolidated, recycled, re-used, neutralized or disposed. The Laboratory Pollution Prevention and Waste Management Manual was created to assist the University community in the handling, management and reduction of wastes in the laboratory.
For hazardous materials pickup complete an online request via the new Hazardous Waste Inventory System (HWIS). The HWIS is a new online system for hazardous waste generators to submit hazardous wastes for pick up and disposal. If you do not have access to HWIS contact Dave Cavezza at 250-807-8821.
Chemical Waste
See specific disposal procedures for the hazardous chemical material listed below. For other hazardous chemical material disposal procedures contact the HSE office (250-807-8621):
- Used solvent
- Acids and Bases
- Used photochemicals
- Mercury waste
- Ethidium Bromide waste
- Used oil
- Used batteries
- Compressed gas cylinders
Biohazardous Waste
Segregate biological materials according to the classes listed below. Package and store the materials according to the specific procedure for each class. Affix a Biological Waste Tag (available fro HSE) for easy identification. For biologically contaminated glass see below for procedure
- Pathological material (uncontaminated)
- Risk Group 1 (RG1) contaminated material
- Risk Group 2 (RG2) contaminated material
- Pathological material contaminated with RG1 or RG2 agent or chemically contaminated
- Biomedical (human) material
- Sharps
Radioactive Waste
For information on the proper disposal procedures for radioactive materials contact the HSE office at 250-807-8621.
Glass Waste Disposal
Uncontaminated Glass Waste
Uncontaminated glass waste is disposed of through Facilities Management. Contact Facilities Management at 7-9272 regarding appropriate collection methods for uncontaminated glass waste.
Chemical-Contaminated Glass Waste
Dispose of chemical contaminated glass waste through HSE in the appropriately labeled white 20 litre plastic buckets supplied by HSE. If it is possible to decontaminate the glass waste then this is preferred. For decontaminating:
- empty solvent containers allow the solvent residue to evaporate out in a fumehood for 1 day then rinse well with water. (ie: methanol, ethanol, acetone, dichloromethane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, ethyl ether, hexanes)
- corrosives’ glass containers rinse with water and dispose of the rinse as non-hazardous waste only if the rinse has a pH of between 6 - 8. (ie: hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, nitric acid, acetic acid, ammonium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide). Contact HSE regarding hydrogen fluoride & hydrogen bromide glass waste disposal.
- inorganic salt glass containers rinse with water. (ie: potassium chloride, magnesium chloride etc)
Contact HSE regarding ketones, aldehydes, amines or other specific chemically-contaminated glass waste for decontamination procedures.
Once decontaminated deface all labels and hazard warnings and place in the regular trash. Do not place this glass waste in the recycling.
Biologicals-Contaminated Glass Waste
Glass contaminated with biologicals must be autoclaved prior to being disposed of as hazardous waste. Separate glass waste according to Risk Group. Autoclave the biological-contaminated glass waste. Dispose of autoclaved glass waste as Risk Group 1 or Risk Group 2 through HSE in the appropriately labeled red 20 litre plastic buckets supplied by HSE.
Biologicals & Chemical-Contaminated Glass Waste
Glass contaminated with both chemical and biological Risk Group 1 must be autoclaved prior to being disposed of as chemical-contaminated glass waste.
Glass contaminated with both chemical and biological Risk Group 2 must be autoclaved prior to being disposed of as Risk Group 2 biological-contaminated glass waste.
Last reviewed 
11/4/2011 10:16:14 AM
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For more information on hazardous waste disposal or chemical conservation programs, please contact:
Shelley Kayfish, Director, HSE
250.807.8621
shelley.kayfish@ubc.ca
