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Waste Disposal

Chemical Waste Disposal

When a material has no further use and has been declared a waste by the user, it must be clearly labeled as a waste. The proper disposal of waste chemicals at the University of Pittsburgh is a must to meet our stewardship and regulatory compliance requirements. The responsibility for the identification and handling of hazardous waste within the University rests with the individual(s) who have created the waste (generators). The Department of Environmental Health and Safety is available to provide technical guidance, assistance, and information.

The University of Pittsburgh is classified as a large-quantity generator of hazardous waste, and therefore Pittsburgh campus laboratories must remove all chemical waste within 90 days. Laboratories must not accumulate waste for more than 30 days before placing them in the University hazardous-waste pickup area. The University's standard procedures for waste pickup should be followed.

2008 Chemical Waste Disposal Schedules

 

Biological Waste Disposal

All biological, infectious, and chemotherapeutic waste that is generated at the University of Pittsburgh must be disinfected and disposed of properly. No infectious wastes are permitted to leave the premises or control of the Principal Investigator without first being disinfected or sterilized to ensure that they present no harm to others or the environment.

As with other classifications of waste, the responsibility for the identification and handling of biological waste within the University rests with the generator. The Department of Environmental Health and Safety is available to provide technical guidance, assistance, and information, as required for the proper handling and disposal of these materials.

Disposal Of Electronic Equipment

Electronic Waste is unwanted computers, monitors, televisions, audio equipment, printers, laptops, fax machines, telephones, and other electronic equipment.

When electronic equipment breaks or becomes obsolete, it must be properly disposed or recycled. This electronic equipment may contain heavy metals and other materials that can become hazardous to human health and the environment, including:

  • Lead: Computer monitors and televisions contain a cathode ray tube (CRT). CRTs contain leaded glass and are the largest source of lead, a poisonous metal, in municipal waste.
  • Mercury: Some electronic equipment contains recoverable quantities of mercury, another poisonous metal.
  • Cadmium: Rechargeable nickel-cadmium (NiCd) batteries are the largest source of cadmium in municipal waste.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) currently classifies discarded electronic equipment that contains these hazardous materials as characteristic hazardous wastes under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

To ensure that unwanted electronic equipment from the University of Pittsburgh is managed in accordance with EPA requirements, please follow the University’s policy and procedure for the disposition of these items (#10-06-04 Surplus Equipment Recycling and Disposal):

Electronic Waste Disposal Links

Residual Waste Disposal

Residual Waste is defined and regulated in the State of Pennsylvania by PA Code, Title 25, Article IX. Residual Waste. This code specifies general procedures and rules for persons or municipalities who generate, manage or handle residual waste. This code defines a residual waste as "Garbage, refuse, other discarded material or other waste, including solid, liquid, semisolid or contained gaseous materials resulting from industrial, mining and agricultural operations and sludge from an industrial, mining or agricultural water supply treatment facility, wastewater treatment facility or air pollution control facility, if it is not hazardous..."

This code regulates the following wastes as residual wastes:

  • water-supply treatment plant sludges
  • waste oil that is not hazardous waste oil
  • waste tires
  • fuel-contaminated soil
  • used asphalt
  • asbestos containing waste
  • PCB containing waste

In addition to the above listed materials, the following categories of waste are classified as residual wastes:

Category

Examples

Combustion Residues

Coal-/incinerator-derived ash, fly ash, bottom ash

Metallurgical Process Residues

Foundry sand, slag, grindings, shavings, baghouse dust, non-ferrous scrap

Sludges, scales

Industrial wastewater treatment sludge, metallurgical sludge, paint and coating sludge and scale, tank bottoms

Chemical Wastes (non-hazardous)

Off-specification products, spent dyes, filter media, chemical salts, surface coatings

Generic Wastes

Leather wastes, rubber, glass, plastics, electronic component wastes, photographic wastes

Special Handling Residues

Asbestos containing waste, PCB-containing waste, oil-contaminated waste, paints

Demolition Type Wastes

Bricks, stone, asphalt, shingles, building debris

Industrial Equipment, Scrap

Old equipment, pumping, piping, vessels, scrap

Noncoal Mining Wastes

Drilling fluids

University generators of residual waste should contact the Department of Environmental Health and Safety for guidance in the proper disposal of these materials or to determine if their waste is classified as residual.

Municipal Waste Disposal

Municipal Waste is defined and regulated in the State of Pennsylvania by PA Code, Title 25, Article VII. Municipal Waste. This code specifies general procedures and rules for persons or municipalities who generate, manage, or handle municipal waste. This code defines a municipal waste as "Garbage, refuse, industrial lunchroom, or office waste and other material, including solid, liquid, semisolid or contained gaseous materials resulting from operation of residential, municipal, commercial or institutional establishments and from community activities, and sludge not meeting the definition of residual or hazardous waste (under this section) from a municipal, commercial or institutional water supply treatment facility, wastewater treatment plant or air pollution control facility, if it is not hazardous..."

This code regulates the following special wastes as municipal wastes:

  • construction/demolition wastes
  • infectious and chemotherapeutic waste (Note: these wastes require special disposal procedures, see the section on biological waste disposal)
  • sewage sludge, including sewage sludge that is mixed with other residual waste
  • leaf waste and grass clippings

Generally,municipal waste is the garbage and trash that the University discards each day from offices, residence halls, and University buildings. These materials are collected by the custodial staff and placed in BFI dumpsters throughout the University campus.

Any questions regarding municipal waste can be directed to Facilities Management at 412-624-9500.

Waste Disposal Links

Recycling

Office of Facilities Management