Laboratories generate four types of chemical waste characteristics. The characteristics of these waste materials include:

• Corrosivity- Waste that can decompose and rust with the ability to melt through steel materials
• Toxicity- Waste that is fatally poisonous when absorbed or ingested
• Ignitability- Waste that is flammable with the ability to create fires
• Reactivity- Waste that is unstable or explosive under normal conditions

Understanding the different characteristics and types of chemical waste will ensure the safety of your company’s or facility’s laboratory and help maintain environmental consciousness. Failure to properly handle chemical waste disposal will make you accountable and could result in costly penalties. 

What is Hazardous/Chemical Waste?

Hazardous/chemical waste is any material or substance that has harmful effects on the environment and human health. Industrial organizations, manufacturers, and laboratories generate hazardous chemical waste that has been identified by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) as containing properties or elements that produce detrimental effects.

There are very specific protocols in place involving chemical waste disposal. To determine how to properly treat your chemical waste removal, it is important to identify the classification the hazardous materials fall into. The EPA has created these main categories for which materials can be classified.

Listed Wastes

Under the category of listed wastes, there are five subtypes of waste. These wastes fall into:

• F-List that includes wastes that have nonspecific sources, but are generated from manufacturing and industrial processes. There are seven groups within the F-List including electroplating and metal finishing waste, dioxin-bearing wastes, spent solvent waste, wood-preserving waste, petroleum refinery wastewater, multisource leachate, and chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons.
• K-List includes specific wastes from specific industry sources. These source-specific wastes include explosives, pesticides, organic chemicals, veterinary pharmaceuticals, wood preservatives, and coal to produce Coke and ink formulations. For more information on the F-List and K-List types, talk to the experts at Environmental Marketing Service. 
• P-List and U-List include waste materials from specific chemical products. These products must be unused but in need of disposal. There are specific criteria for these unused chemicals. They must contain one of the chemicals listed on either the P or U lists, they must be unused and must be in a commercial product form. Talk to Environmental Marketing Service to learn more about the chemicals on these lists. 
• Universal Wastes include commonly generated waste materials. Typically found in this list are mercury-containing devices, bulbs, batteries, and pesticides. There are nine classifications under Universal Wastes, including explosives, gasses, flammable liquids, solids or substances, oxidizing substances, infectious or toxic substances, radioactive materials, corrosive substances, and miscellaneous dangerous substances.
• Mixed Waste (Radioactive and Hazardous) includes radioactive and hazardous material with varying disposal and treatment processes. There are three types of mixed waste including LLMW (low-level mixed waste), HLW (high-level mixed waste), and MTRU (mixed transuranic waste.)

If you are seeking chemical waste disposal for your laboratory, it is important to learn which materials are deemed hazardous. Above are examples of the different categories and classifications of waste types. Talk to the professionals at Environmental Marketing Services to learn more about determining the levels of hazardousness of your waste materials and their hazardous waste treatment and disposal services.

Laboratory Chemical Waste

Laboratories use a wide range of materials for testing, research, and other processes. These facilities generate a lot of different types of chemical waste. Typically the main types of waste generated include flammable liquids, solvents, paints, gas cylinders, and oxidizers. Working in, managing, or owning a laboratory can be rewarding, however, the vital task of chemical waste disposal cannot be overlooked.

Understanding the importance of properly handling and disposing of hazardous chemical lab waste is imperative. There are government, both federal and state, regulations that are tricky to monitor without the professional support of companies such as the Environmental Marketing Services. This support will provide solutions and knowledge to ensure your laboratory is protected from costly infringements.

The wide range of materials used in laboratories for different purposes include:

• Acids and alkalis
• Toxins and poisons
• Deteriorated or expired chemicals
• Gas cylinders and oxidizers
• Solvents and paints
• Adhesives and glues
• Pharmaceuticals
• Herbicides and pesticides
• Flammable liquids

These materials are deemed hazardous as they have the potential to cause serious environmental harm as well as risks to human health and safety. Any laboratory that uses these materials is responsible for properly storing, handling, and disposing of them according to industry and state laws. One beneficial lab chemical solution for disposing of hazardous materials in your laboratory is lab-packing. 

Benefits of Lab-Pack Disposal

When the process of lab packing is done properly, it can positively impact your laboratory’s time management, compliance, and costs. When you work with Environmental Marketing Service, you will experience these benefits:

Cleaner Environment

Lab packing protects the environment as it disposes of substances with proper discarding practices that have minimal to no environmental consequences.

Efficient Time Management

Lab packing involves obtaining only one waste profile of the materials to approve multiple inventory lists rather than a profile of each material to determine which waste stream for disposal is needed.

Reduced Costs

The goal of lab pack waste disposal is to reduce the overall costs of your chemical waste disposal process. Instead of using individual disposal methods for each chemical, your laboratory is only charged for the disposal of each larger container. This process done with the help of Environmental Marketing Service also ensures there is no mischaracterization of chemicals or the use of incompatible containers that could result in costly errors.

Working with Environmental Marketing Services ensures you are working with a company that has a longstanding reputation, along with years of experience in the industry. Having a strong background in lab packing means you receive experience and a better understanding of being compliant with your packing needs.

Turnkey Lab-pack services involve handling all aspects of the chemical waste disposal process from the start to the finish. Talk to Environmental Marketing Services today to learn more about managing your used and outdated chemicals.

Chemical Waste Lab-Pack Services for Disposal

Turnkey lab-pack services include categorization, waste identification, packaging, transportation, and disposal. The process begins with a review of your chemical inventory and forecasting your future requirements.

Each chemical in your laboratory is identified, labeled, and then segregated into compatible groups through an on-site chemical material identification and inventory process. This process will ensure compliance and safety at every step. The packing will meet the highest standards set forth by all regulatory bodies to guarantee safe transport and disposal.
Turnkey lab-pack services can include:

Turnkey lab-pack services can include:

• DOT and EPA-compliant packing and labeling
• Pickup times are scheduled at your convenience
• Efficient disposal and cost-effective chemical waste disposal
• Completion of all regulation paperwork
• Disposal receipts for your records to verify compliance

Working with experts to properly handle your chemical waste disposal is the key to handling toxic waste. Because of both legal and safety risks involved with these dangerous substances, your facility wants a waste management company that will protect you, your employees or students, the community, and the environment. Environmental Marketing Services  knows how to handle hazardous waste from a variety of industries and is ready to meet your waste disposal needs.

If your laboratory is ready for chemical waste disposal, contact a trustworthy hazardous waste management company, such as Environmental Marketing Services, and learn how as a dedicated and reliable partner, we can address all your waste management requirements.