Waste Minimization Tips

EHS is responsible for the management of regulated wastes at the University of Pittsburgh. No chemical wastes should be placed in general trash, flushed down drains or otherwise inappropriately disposed. Contact EHS at 412-624-9505 with questions regarding proper disposal procedures.

Tips/suggestions to help minimize the quantity and toxicity of hazardous waste:

  • Order only what is needed. The cost of disposal of chemicals often exceeds the price of purchasing the chemical.
  • Date containers when received and use older chemicals first.
  • Use spirit-filled thermometers instead of mercury thermometers when possible.
  • Use less hazardous or non-hazardous chemicals for experiments when possible.
  • Prepare only the amount of solutions/mixtures needed for experiments.
  • Reduce the number of unknowns by labeling all bottles/containers in lab.
  • Scale down experiments that produce hazardous waste.