Disposal of waste MUST be carried out using these procedures. The consequences of not disposing of waste correctly, particularly asbestos, radioactive sources and chemicals, can lead to serious health and safety issues, with severe penalties for the University and those individuals involved.

Where possible, items should be recycled following the University guidelines Recycling A-Z

Asbestos or "suspect" material

Suspect material may include sindanyo, heat-resisting materials, old fire blankets etc.

IMPORTANT - Inform the Asbestos Manager (Tel. x22809).

If asbestos is detected - do not allow others to enter the area until the item is dealt with.

Handling (if absolutely unavoidable): Contact person(s) trained in asbestos removals work. DO NOT handle the material if you are not trained to do so.

Chemicals

It is inevitable during normal laboratory operations that some chemical waste will be generated. This waste may take a number of forms including chemicals, solvents, stock solutions and items contaminated with chemicals such as paper, filters and contaminated laboratory equipment.

Hazardous chemical waste should be segregated with regard to chemical compatibility / properties in order to reduce the risk of adverse chemical reactions occurring during either storage or transport.

Chemical waste should only be stored in suitable containers e.g. glass Winchester bottles, which should be clearly labelled with the contents, name of the individual who has produced the waste and its associated CLP hazards.

Waste containers may be stored in laboratory areas as a temporary measure while they are being filled until they can be transferred to Physics External Store (P3).

Please see waste instructions for user for more information on what is expected from those who produce waste.

Video guide on how to mark an item for disposal in LabCup.

Radiation

Sealed sources.

Contact the Departmental Radiation Protection Supervisor (Dr Jon Duffy, room P439, Tel. x22410) for the disposal of any radioactive source. The item(s) will be stored in a secure location until removal is arranged with a specialist contractor.

IMPORTANT - Do not dispose of ANY radioactive materials in any other way.

Electrical/Electronic waste

Items under Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment (WEEE) regulations

Non-IT equipment is treated as WEEE and can be disposed of in the locked container in the Physics yard – key available from Duncan Brealey in Physics Stores (P140). Disposal is arranged via Estates. To dispose of IT equipment, see section below.

IT equipment

IT equipment for disposal is no longer part of the WEEE stream and now requires you to log a ticket with the IT Helpdesk

For advice contact Robb Johnston, tel. x23988.

Batteries

Take all waste batteries to Physics stores (P140) or place them in the red disposal box in the ground floor main stairwell in Physical Sciences .

General Waste

Waste bins for recyclable materials and landfill are located on the landing areas of both stairwells in the Physics building. Similar facilities exist in the kitchenette areas in the MAS building.

Small items

Such as metal boxes, fittings, plastics, glass, wood, rubble, empty containers and bottles.

Place the items in the covered skip in the delivery yard. Ensure that all inventory tags and/or labels are removed and handed to the Physics stores. If the skip has been padlocked; please obtain the key from the stores.

Large or heavy metal items

E.g. pumps, vacuum chambers, equipment racks.

Contact Robb Johnston (tel. x23988) to seek advice when disposing of large items. It may be possible to provide temporary storage in the service yard prior to final disposal by University staff or contractors.

Paper and cardboard

Pink recycling plastic sacks are available for “good” waste paper. These are located adjacent to the photocopiers in the Physics Common Room, P.564.

Cardboard boxes should be flattened and placed in the blue/grey lidded container in the delivery yard.

Confidential waste must be disposed securely using sacks available from the Departmental Office P566. Disposal is then arranged via Estates.

Other Useful Contacts

Campus Cleaning Services Supervisor, Lana Tolmachova S.Tolmachova@warwick.ac.uk