WASTE CATEGORIES


ANIMAL CARCASSES
Non-laboratory carcass Call Building and Grounds Management (x6-8686) for disposal.
Chemically Preserved tissues See Disposal of Chemically Preserved Tissues
Unpreserved tissues See Disposal of Unpreserved Tissues
BATTERIES
Household type (alkaline or carbon-zinc) Dispose in regular trash
Lead-Acid
Nickel-Cadmium (Ni-Cad)
Lithium containing
Mercury containing
Submit to EHSO for disposal (See HMMP)

(NOTE: Batteries must be removed from equipment prior to submission to EHSO)

BIOLOGICAL WASTES
See Biohazardous Waste Disposal Guidelines
CARDBOARD
Flatten boxes, bundle (tie) together and place near paper recycling bin.
CHEMICALS
Before disposing as waste, offer your unused chemicals to other UH staff who may be able to use it through the UH Electronic Swap Meet (http://www.hawaii.edu/swap meet/). For disposal instructions, refer to the Hazardous Materials Management Program (HMMP).
OFFICE EQUIPMENT & FURNITURE (including COMPUTERS)
Offer your excess furniture and office equipment to other UH staff who may be able to use it through the UH Electronic Swap Meet (http://www.hawaii.edu/swapmeet/) or call the FPMO Surplus Warehouse (6-8887) to see if it can be reused. If not, submit proper forms to take equipment off of your inventory. Submit a work request to FPMO (6-7134) for pick-up of the equipment and attach a copy of the approved disposal form to the work request form.

COMPUTERS: See also the ITS Disposal Guidelines for Obsolete Computer Equipment.

SCIENTIFIC EQUIPMENT
Remove and properly dispose of any potentially hazardous components (radiation sources, PCB containing transformers, lead-acid/Ni-Cad batteries, etc.). Contact EHSO with any questions regarding the hazardous components. Submit a work request to FPMO (6-7134) for pick-up of the equipment. If the item is on UH inventory, attach the approved disposal form to the work request.
FREON CONTAINING EQUIPMENT (Refrigerators, Air-conditioners, etc.)
Submit forms to take equipment off your inventory (if necessary). Contact a properly trained and certified vendor (e.g., Refrigerant Recycling Inc.) directly for disposal. Freon containing equipment must be disposed of by a company licensed to handle this type of material.
GAS CYLINDERS
Cylinders should be returned to vendor. See HMMP.
GLASS
See Glass Recycling. Departments requiring assistance in transporting large quantities of glass items may submit a work request form to FPMO (6-7134).
GREEN WASTE
Bag, label as "GREEN WASTE" and place next to refuse dumpster.
LIGHT BULBS
Regular incandescent bulbs Dispose of in regular trash. Package to prevent glass hazard.
Fluorescent bulbs (black end caps) Various campus units collect and recycle older type bulbs. See fluorescent bulb disposal procedure.
Fluorescent bulbs (green end caps) Dispose of in regular trash. Package to prevent broken glass hazard.
METALS
Call Landscaping (67922) for special pick-up.
OIL
Call EHSO for special instructions (HMMP).
PAINTS
Latex (or Water-Based) Latex (or water-based) paint is typically a non-regulated substance. However, some latex paints are regulated if they contain EPA-listed metals, such as arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, selenium, or silver.

Reading the label is the easiest way to determine whether or not a latex paint contains any of the above metals, and is therefore a regulated substance. If the label is missing or unreadable, the paint should be considered regulated.

Regulated paints may still be used for their intended purposes. Just ensure required paints are properly stored for future use; and, unwanted ones are turned into EHSO for proper disposal. Never place regulated paints in the trash!

Non-regulated paints may be disposed of in the regular trash; but, only after they are completely dried (never place liquid paint into the trash). Apply the following guidelines prior to trash disposal:

  • Containers with small paint quantities (approximately less than one inch) can be placed without their lids, in a well-ventilated, covered area until dry.
  • Containers with large quantities (approximately more than one inch) can be absorbed on to materials such as: clay-based kitty litter, saw dust, or shredded paper.
Recycle empty/dry, non-regulated metal paint containers by submitting a work request for a scrap metal pickup.
Oil-based Oil-based paints are regulated substances. Submit to EHSO for disposal (see HMMP). Never place oil-based paints in the trash!
PAINTING EQUIPMENT
Includes any item used in painting activities, such as: paint brushes, rollers, roller pans, rags, paper, buckets, scrapers, paint stirrers, and drop cloths (plastic or canvas).

Disposal of these items depends on the type of paint used (refer to “Paints” section above).

  • Regulated (e.g., oil-based or latex with EPA-listed metals): Turn all equipment into EHSO for disposal. Do not place items in trash!
  • Non-Regulated (e.g., latex with no EPA-listed metals): Let equipment completely dry before placing in trash.
PAPER
See Paper Recycling
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
See Procedures for Isotope Shipments and Waste Disposal
SOIL (UNCONTAMINATED)
Bag, label as "Soil" and place next to refuse dumpster. Call Landscaping (67922) for pick-up of large quantities. For contaminated soil, call EHSO for special instructions.
THERMOMETERS (MERCURY)
Submit to EHSO for disposal. See HMMP.
WOOD / LUMBER
Call Landscaping for special pick-up. DO NOT PUT LARGE PIECES IN DUMPSTER! May cause damage to refuse truck.

Sawdust should be double bagged, tied, and put into dumpster.


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Last Updated 28 May 2009