Hazardous Materials Management

To ensure proper management of hazardous waste, HMM routinely monitors laboratories known to generate chemical waste/sharps containers and make waste collections daily. This waste is then transported to the West Campus Central Accumulation area for storage and disposal via a licensed third-party disposal contract company. It is the responsibility of the Principal Investigator (PI) for each laboratory to manage and dispose of hazardous waste in compatible waste containers that can be provided by HMM (See, Provided Supplies). HMM policies for hazardous waste management can be found in the Chemical Waste Management plan.

Some considerations when managing hazardous waste in the labs:

• All hazardous waste must be housed in the labs SAA (See SAA below) within secondary containment.
• All hazardous waste must be held in a compatible container.
• All hazardous waste must have a hazardous waste label affixed the minute waste enters a container, or when it is deemed a waste.
• All hazardous waste known to form peroxides must be properly labeled (see Chemical Hygiene Plan).
  HMM does not pick up unknown waste.

For information regarding hazardous waste please see the guides below:

• Chemical Waste Management Plan (PDF)
• Filling Out Hazardous Waste Labels (PDF)
• Submitting Chemical Waste - Campus Optic (PDF)
• Sharps Container Packaging Guide (PDF)

To ensure proper management of biological waste, HMM routinely monitors laboratories known to generate biological waste/sharps containers and make waste collections daily. This waste is then transported to the West Campus Central Accumulation area for storage and disposal via a licensed third-party disposal contract company. It is the responsibility of the Principal Investigator (PI) for each laboratory to dispose of biological waste in the proper shipping containers (biological waste box) provided by HMM. HMM policies for biological waste can be found in the Biological Waste Management plan.

To collect biological waste, HMM provides biological waste boxes, and red biological waste bags which are approved by the Department of Transportation (DOT) for transporting the waste to final disposal (incinerator, autoclave, or landfill)
Disposal methods should be chosen when the lab submits the waste through Campus Optics using selection found in the Campus Optics forms (see, Submitting Biological Waste).

Incinerated Biological waste:

• Infectious/non-infectious pathological waste
  
  • Body parts, tissues, organs, and any other anatomical remains. NOTE: human remains must be double-bagged with red bags provided by HMM.
• Infectious microbiological waste
  
  • Cultures and culture dishes, stocks, disposable devices used for transfer, etc.
• BSL – 3 biological waste (after autoclaving)
• Genetically modified organisms
• Nanoparticles in biological waste
• Waste from Clinics (Student Health Services, Athletic, Rec Wellness)

NOTE: All other biological waste will be submitted as an autoclave.

For packaging information please see the below guides:

• Biological Waste Management Plan (PDF)
• Biological Packaging Guidelines (PDF)
• Submitting Biological Waste - Campus Optic (PDF)

According to TCEQ, Universal waste is a specific type of hazardous waste that is subject to more relaxed standards of accumulation, record-keeping, and shipping requirements than those of "normal" hazardous wastes. To keep UTSA compliant, HMM must manage Universal waste with regulations set by EPA and TCEQ per 40 CFR 273 and 30 TAC 335.261.

The following are identified as Universal Waste and are collected by HMM (40 CFR 273.1 40 CFR 273.1 and 30 TAC 335.261(b)(19)(f)):

• Lamps (40 CFR 273.33(d))
  • Fluorescent, high-intensity discharge, neon, mercury vapor, high-pressure sodium, and metal halide lamps.
• Aerosol Cans (40 CFR 273.33(e) 40 CFR 273.33(e))
  • Aerosol cans are defined as non-refillable receptacles containing a gas compressed, liquefied, or dissolved under pressure, the sole purpose is to expel a liquid, paste or powder and fitted with a self-closing release device allowing the contents to be ejected by a gas that may hold an ignitable characteristic.
• Batteries (40 CFR 273.33(a))
  • Batteries should never be discarded in normal trash as they may contain toxic metals that are harmful to the environment.
    • Common Types of Batteries include:
      • Alkaline
      • Nickle Cadmium (NiCd)
      • Nickle Metal Hydride (NiMH)
      • Lithium Ion (Li-ion)
      • Lithium Metal (Li)
      • Lead Acid
    • Less Common Types of Batteries Include:
      • Mercury
        Zinc-Carbon
        Silver-Oxide
  • Alkaline batteries are commonly found as single-use AAA, AA, C, D, and 9-volt batteries. Although these batteries could be disposed of as normal trash, they can be turned into HMM for proper disposal.
  • Rechargeable batteries such as button cell, cellphone, or laptop batteries typically use lithium batteries and should be turned into HMM.
  • Lead Acid batteries can be found used in telecommunication facilities, emergency generators, or mechanical rooms. Auto batteries are handled by the Auto Shop and traded into the supplier on a one-for-one basis.
• Mercury Containing Devices (40 CFR 273.33(c))
  • The types of mercury-containing devices include but are not limited to:
    
    • Laboratory thermometers
    • Older thermostats
    • Tartan flooring
    • Manometers
    • Switches
    • Barometers
  • All mercury-containing devices are subject to hazardous waste standards and are regulated as Universal Waste under state and federal regulations to encourage proper recycling of these materials.
• Paints and Paint-Related Waste (30 TAC 335.262)
  • Types of paint and paint-related materials include but are not limited to:
    
    • Acrylic
    • Latex
    • Oil-base
    • Enamel
    • Anti-corrosive
    • Synthetic
  • All paints are subject to hazardous waste standards and are regulated as Universal Waste under state and federal regulations.

Satellite Accumulation Area (SAA) is a regulated area designated for storage of all hazardous waste generated in a lab. Labs must follow the guidelines below to stay compliant with all federal and state regulations found in 40 CFR 262.15 and 30 TAC 335.52 (a)(2)(B).

• Container(s) should not be kept in a lab ventilation hood.
• Container(s) lid(s) must always be closed tight except when filling and/or venting to relieve pressure
• Container(s) must be labeled the moment waste enters the container with labels clearly visible.
• Container(s) must be held in secondary containment.
• Container(s) must be filled with compatible waste.
• No more than 55 gallons of non-acute hazardous waste and/or either one quart (0.95L) of liquid acute hazardous waste, or 2.2 lbs (1 kg) may be accumulated at any given time. Lists for acute can be found in 40 CFR 261.31.

Labs that do not generate chemical waste will not need a SAA designated in the lab. If labs are unsure whether an SAA is required, please reach out to a Hazardous Material Management, contacts below for questions. For labs requiring a SAA, the below SAA sign will need to be placed in an area of the lab easily accessible to HMM staff for easy removal when the lab is serviced. Please reach out to HMM if your lab generates hazardous waste and do not have a sign in your lab.

Noncompliance with any hazardous, biological, or universal waste regulation may result in substantial fines and penalties for the University up to $25,000 per violation, per day (2 TWC 7). The University may be cited or fined for numerous types of violations ranging from improperly labeling a waste container to intentionally disposing of hazardous waste incorrectly. It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure their waste is properly managed from the time it is created until it is picked up by HMM for disposal.

• TCEQ Common Violations
• TCEQ fine policy

Below are supplies provided by HMM for the management of chemical and biological waste.

To request supplies please see:

• Submitting Supply Request - Campus Optic (PDF)

NOTE: These are not to be used on virgin chemicals, reagents, etc. These are strictly for the collection of hazardous waste

How do I dispose of empty containers?

Empty containers are to be submitted through Campus Optics using the “Empty Chemical Container Disposal” waste stream found on the Hazwaste page. Empty containers do not need a hazardous waste label but please write the “Container ID#” from Campus Optics on the containers being picked up.

How do I request hazardous and biological waste supplies?

HMM provides the following supplies, 2.5-gallon HDPE containers, biological waste boxes and bags, hazardous waste labels, SAA signs (will still need to further coordinate with HMM), and 5 qt sharp containers. For 2.5-gallon waste containers, please see the FAQ “HMM removed 2.5-gallon waste containers, will I get them back?”. Biological waste boxes, sharp containers, and hazardous waste labels are given out on a one-for-one basis. To request more supplies without needing a pickup (as in the case of establishing a new lab), you can log into Campus Optics and request supplies using the “Supply Request” in the HazWaste stream and place a pickup request. See the link below for instructions on how to request supplies. 

“Submitting Supply Request – Campus optics” (pdf here)

How do labs dispose of Ethidium Bromide?

For labs using ethidium bromide, HMM asks that a 5-gallon bucket with a lid, lined with a thick black trash bag be used to collect the used gel. When the bag is about halfway full, tie the bag off, apply a hazardous waste label, and submit using Campus Optics. HMM will remove the bag and leave the bucket for continued use. For Ethidium bromide in liquid form, please use a compatible container to collect the waste, or request 2.5-gallon HDPE containers from HMM, when it is full submit the waste via Campus Optics for pickup.

How do labs dispose of broken glass?

Labs can take the box of broken glass out to the dumpsters themselves, or labs can put in a work request through facilities who will pass the request to housekeeping to remove. Broken glass boxes should not be left in the hallway for removal, the boxes should remain in the lab until they are removed by housekeeping.

How long will it take before HMM picks up my waste?

HMM has three business days to remove any submitted hazardous or biological waste from the labs/spaces. Labs need to consider this when submitting hazardous or biological waste.

How do I dispose of empty containers?

Empty containers are to be submitted through BioRAFT using the “Empty Container” profile found on the waste page (If the waste profile is not present, please reach out to one of the contacts for HMM). Empty containers do not need a hazardous waste label but please write the “Request id#” from BioRAFT.

HMM removed 2.5-gallon waste containers, will I get them back?

If the lab’s waste is determined it can be bulked (aqueous waste, non-halogenated organics solvents, halogenated organic solvents, etc.), HMM has a three-day turnaround on those containers. HMM will not replace one-for-one on jerry cans due to cost-saving measures. Due to this, it is on the labs to ensure that they submit their waste when they have filled half of their available waste containers. HMM schedules bulking twice a week and returns within three business days.

How do I request hazardous and biological waste supplies?

HMM provides the following supplies, 2.5-gallon HDPE containers, biological waste boxes and bags, hazardous waste labels, an SAA sign (will still need to further coordinate with HMM), and 5 qt sharp containers. For 2.5-gallon waste containers, please see the FAQ “ HMM removed 2.5-gallon waste containers, will I get them back?”. Biological waste boxes, sharp containers, and hazardous waste labels are given out on a one-for-one basis. To request more supplies without needing a pickup (as in the case of establishing a new lab), you can log into BioRAFT and request supplies using the “Supply Request Only” in the profile names and selecting “Request Pick up”.

How do labs dispose of Ethidium Bromide?

For the lab using ethidium bromide, HMM asks that a 5-gallon bucket with a lid, lined with a thick black trash bag be used to collect the used gel. When the bag is about halfway full, tie the bag off, apply a hazardous waste label, and submit using BioRAFT. HMM will remove the bag and leave the bucket for continued use. For Ethidium bromide in liquid form, please use a compatible container to collect the waste, or request 2.5-gallon HDPE containers from HMM, when it is full submit the waste via BioRAFT for pickup.