Chemical waste

Overview

UTS has a system to restrict access to the Broadway campus hazardous chemical waste depot to designated UTS hazardous waste contacts only.

Before being able to access the depot, UTS staff must be able to demonstrate competency in handling and storage of hazardous waste via a short online test. 

Each designated waste contact has their digital image recorded for identification purposes and is required to card swipe for access to the waste depot key.

These steps are required for compliance with state and federal government security requirements, and to minimise the risk of incorrect storage of chemicals.

Disposal process

Only designated UTS hazardous waste contacts are to undertake the chemical waste disposal process:

Identify the waste

Identify the waste and determine whether it can be recycled by UTS (e.g. mercury or solder) or requires disposal. If in doubt as to whether the waste can be recycled, contact Safety & Wellbeing.

For information on the disposal of radioactive waste, contact Safety & Wellbeing.

Store waste in correct containers

Collect compatible waste types in approved 5L plastic high density polyethylene (HDPE) dangerous goods containers.

Always segregate waste according to chemical type. To prevent risk of fire or explosion, it is important that chemicals that react to give off gases or heat are not combined.

Leave a 3cm airspace before sealing the plastic container. Designated chemical waste contacts at UTS can obtain HDPE containers from Science stores at the Broadway campus.

Do not use glass containers, such as Winchesters, to store waste. Glass containers are more likely to break and may explode if there is a pressure build-up. To dispose of glass containers, wash them thoroughly (by triple rinsing), obliterate the label, dry the container and then place the glass container in the general waste bins. Wash the lid of the container and dispose of it in the same manner.

Solid waste should be stored in its original container.

Label waste

Chemical waste will not be collected if it is unlabelled. Label the container with an appropriate hazardous waste disposal sticker and risk and safety phrases and dangerous goods (link to DG page) symbols:

• Dangerous goods must be labelled with the appropriate dangerous goods class diamond.
• Liquid waste in 5L HDPE bottles must be labelled with a UTS hazardous waste sticker.
• Halogenated, non-halogenated or heavy metal salt solution must have the appropriate dangerous goods diamond applied as instructed on the label.
• Request for disposal of hazardous waste form

Request for disposal of hazardous waste form

Complete the Request for Disposal of Hazardous Waste form:

• attach the pink-coloured carbon-copy to the waste container, and
• send the original to Safety & Wellbeing.

The waste will not be collected if the form is not completed. Contact Safety & Wellbeing to obtain additional books of 'Request for Disposal of Hazardous Waste' forms.

Chemical waste depot

Transport the waste to the appropriate chemical waste store on  Level 2, Building 1.
As access to the depot is restricted, you will need to sign-in and sign-out to access the waste depot.

Don't take oxidizing agents, 'dangerous when wet', 'spontaneously combustible', unstable or self-reacting substances to the waste depot. These substances present an unacceptable fire/explosion risk and should instead be taken to the appropriate segregated chemical storeroom within the Faculty of Science's stores area.

Protect our beaches and ocean - don't put waste down the sink. Disposal of hazardous waste via the sewer system can harm marine and bird life. Additionally, Sydney Water can track the source of contamination and impose fines.

Hazardous waste stickers

Sample stickers