Chemical Waste

The provisions of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and the Hazardous Waste Generator Improvement Rule (40 CFR 260 – 265) require generators of hazardous waste to properly manage hazardous waste generated under their control. These documents are the basis for the Hazardous Waste Management Plan (HWMP) for North Carolina State University (NC State) (pdf).  Also, NC State has opted in to 40 CFR 262 Subpart K (Subpart K) – Alternative Requirements for Hazardous Waste Determination and Accumulation of Unwanted Material for Laboratories Owned by Eligible Academic Entities.  Waste generated within a laboratory is regulated by Subpart K and managed under the Laboratory Waste Management Plan (pdf).  Non-laboratory areas will manage their waste under the Hazardous Waste Generator Improvements Rule.

Trainings available via REPORTER:

• All Laboratory personnel MUST take the new Laboratory Chemical Waste Management Training which is available on line.
• Classes have been developed for Non-Laboratory Hazardous Waste Training to disseminate information on the new regulations for compliant waste management for non-lab (Facilities, Athletics, Dining, Environmental Services, etc.) users.

Personnel in those areas mentioned above should retake this training as there are major waste management changes under the new rule.  In-person training is available upon request. Contact env-health-haz-waste@ncsu.edu for assistance.

EHSA is the university’s web submission and tracking database and fulfills the Environmental Protection Agency’s regulated requirements involving the tracking of waste from initial use to final disposal.

All university Chemical Wastes must be submitted for pickup via EHSA

• EHSA for Unwanted Materials/Hazardous Waste Management

EHSA – Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I use to EHSA for Unwanted Materials/Hazardous Waste Management?
  • Upon initial login, you must choose to Register as a PI or a Worker. Once
    approved, you must fill out a Profile. This is done by clicking on the Unwanted
    Material/Hazardous Waste Icon. Click on “Add a Request” and fill out your
    Profile and hit Save. Note: You cannot submit material until you complete this step.
  • When you go back later and click “Add a Request”, ensure the location is
    correct (ie. Building and Room). You are limited to the bldgs. and rooms in you
    and your PI’s license and profile. Trying to type in any of this information
    rather than using the dropdowns will cause the system fault and it will not
    send you a label once approved.
• Submitting Waste in EHSA
  • Waste Type – Chemicals Used or Unused, Bio, or Rad. For regulatory reporting purposes, the distinction between Used and Unused is important.
  • System defaults to “Accumulating Yes” – is only for containers you are accumulating waste in. Set to No if the item is ready for pickup.
  • Form, number of containers, size, etc. are all required. When accumulating, we need the size of the container. When ready for pickup we need the amount IN the container.
  • Any clarifications or helpful data may be added to the additional info area.
  • Container Contents – No free-type – you must search by chemical name or CAS#. The total percentage of chemicals must add up to 100. If you have gloves, other PPE, plates, wipes or the like, use “Laboratory Debris” as the main chemical constituent. Items such as Broken Glass and Sharps are also available for use.
  • If you find something that is not in the chemical catalog, please contact EHS for addition or alternative. Do not submit as an unknown and then add the chemical constituents to the additional information area.
  • Add Container – adds another container. Please do not put more than 10 per
    request.
  • Hit Save – if not accumulating it may ask if you wish to submit for pickup, hit yes. If multiple containers for one line it may ask if you wish to separate containers – Click No.
  • Whether Accumulating or for Pickup, once we review and approve you will receive an email with labels. If the items are not labeled, the contractor will not pick them up.
  • Items accumulating or ready for pickup should be able to be seen by all lab personnel registered under a PI. Only the person who submitted the waste will receive the labels.
  • Items submitted for pickup after 4pm may not be picked up the following day.
  • Any items that exceed 300 days of accumulation will be submitted by EHS for waste pickup as required by regulation.
• EHSA – Frequently Asked Questions (pdf)