We found that managing “lab debris” opens the potential for RCRA violations.  An inspector walks into any lab, finds a glove in the trash, and  asks-

“did you perform a hazard determination on the glove?” (insert other lab debris such as Kimwipes ™  etc)

 

Separate receptacles for gloves, paper towels simply were an open invitation to discard any waste, including normal trash.

 

So, we decided to play the game.  We accumulated lab debris from many labs, random sampling, over the course of many weeks, and submitted the samples for RCRA analysis.  Yes, it was  costly up front, but  we ended up with documentation that the lab debris never triggered RCRA characteristic.  We continue to perform random sampling, and maintain our  records for the authorities to check. 

 

-Stefan Wawzyniecki, CIH, CHMM

University of Connecticut

 

 

Sheila,

 

We dispose of them as hazardous waste.  The Housekeeping personnel  (who are untrained in Chemical safety) handle the lab trash which is mostly paper towels.

 

Ruth Ann

 

 

Ruth Ann,

Why are you uncomfortable with putting them in the lab trash?

What would you do with gloves collected in a separate container? Add them to the lab trash in the dumpster or dispose as hazardous waste or ??

Sheila

 

 

Hi,

 

Has anyone found a suitable container in which students can leave the gloves they wore in lab?  We prefer not to put the gloves in with the regular trash and would like something obvious that maybe could be on the wall by the door – as a reminder to remove gloves before leaving the lab.  Thank you!

 

Ruth Ann

 

 

Ruth Ann Murphy, Ph.D.

Professor of Chemistry

Chairperson, Department of Chemistry, Environmental Science and Geology

Chairperson, Health Professions Advisory Committee