Environmental Health & Safety

Proper management of the hazardous waste generated in a lab is not only the right thing to do: it's also the law. This waste is regulated at the federal (EPA) and state (DEP) level. Here are a few of the most important issues of managing hazardous waste in a laboratory.

Containers

All Hazardous waste containers must:

  • Be secure and in good condition
  • Be compatible with waste.
  • Have a screw cap - no corks or rubber stoppers.
  • Be kept closed at all times unless waste is being added.

Labels

  • Symbols and formulas are not allowed. The chemical names must be written out.
  • Check-off the appropriate hazard box
  • Enter the date only when the container is full or when the container is ready for pick-up.

* Do not transport hazardous waste from your lab

* Contact EHS at ehs@wpi.edu if you have any questions about the proper management of hazardous waste in the laboratory.

* If you have a full hazardous waste container please log into the Chemical Environmental Management System (CEMS) (https://cems.wpi.edu) to submit a Hazardous Waste Pickup Request form.  EHS staff will pick up the container within 3 days. You will need to be on the WPI Network or using VPN in order to gain access to CEMS.