UCLA Hazardous Waste Disposal Guidelines: A Comprehensive Overview

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is committed to the safe and responsible management of hazardous waste generated by its research, academic, and operational activities. This article outlines the guidelines and procedures for hazardous waste disposal at UCLA, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, and protecting the health and safety of the campus community and the environment.

Introduction

UCLA generates various types of hazardous waste, including chemical, biological, and radioactive materials. Proper handling, storage, and disposal of these wastes are crucial to prevent environmental contamination, workplace injuries, and regulatory violations. The UCLA Office of Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) provides comprehensive guidance and support for managing hazardous waste throughout its lifecycle.

Key Principles of Hazardous Waste Management at UCLA

Several core principles underpin UCLA's hazardous waste management program:

Waste Minimization: Reducing the volume and toxicity of waste generated through source reduction, substitution of less hazardous materials, and process optimization.
Proper Identification and Segregation: Accurately identifying and segregating different types of hazardous waste to ensure appropriate treatment and disposal methods.
Safe Handling and Storage: Handling and storing hazardous waste in a manner that prevents leaks, spills, and releases, and protects workers from exposure.
Regulatory Compliance: Adhering to all applicable federal, state, and local regulations governing hazardous waste management.
Training and Education: Providing comprehensive training and education to all personnel who handle hazardous waste, ensuring they understand the risks and proper procedures.

Waste Accumulation and Storage

Satellite Accumulation Areas (SAAs)

Laboratories and other areas where hazardous waste is generated are designated as Satellite Accumulation Areas (SAAs). These areas are subject to specific requirements for waste storage and management:

Designated Location: A specific location within the lab must be designated for storing hazardous chemical waste. Refrain from storing waste under sinks. Limited quantities of waste can be stored in a fume hood as long as it does not impede functionality. Try to collected/stored your waste near the point of generation.
Container Requirements:
- Containers must be free of exterior contamination.
- Containers must be labeled with a WASTe tag at all times.
- Containers must be chemically compatible with the material of the storage container (Chemical Resistance Information For Bottles, Containers & Safety Cans).
- Stored in container size suitable for the material stored, be mindful of the weight of your material don't use containers that are too big
- Closed when not in used
- Never use cardboard
- Wastes stored in labware (e.g.
Storage Time Limits: Hazardous waste can only be stored in an SAA for a maximum of 90 days.
Quantity Limits:
- Maximum total amounts of waste that can be stored in an SAA:
  - Amount
  - Type
  - Notes
  - 55 gallon
  - regular hazardous chemical waste submit for disposal within 3 days
  - 1 quart
  - extremely hazardous waste
  - submit for disposal within 3 days.
  - Container > 4L
  - flammable solvents
  - store within flammable storage cabinet*Periodically check location(s) for conditions of waste containers for signs of leaks, corrosion or deterioration.

The table above outlines the EPA limits associated with waste accumulation at your SAA. Chemical waste amounts also count towards the maximum allowable quantities (MAQs) permitted by California Fire Code (CFC).

Labeling Requirements

Proper labeling of hazardous waste containers is essential for identification and safe handling. UCLA utilizes the UC system-wide Waste Accumulation Storage Tracking system, electronically called WASTe.

WASTe System: UCLA uses the UC system-wide Waste Accumulation Storage Tracking electronically called WASTe.
WASTe Portal: For information on how to generate a tag visit the following page: How to generate a WASTe Label.
Labeling Steps:
1. Generate Tag label
2. Place label in a clear envelope pouch (you can get some from our team at pick up)

All hazardous chemical waste is required to be properly labeled and can only be at a location for 90 days.

Need to setup a WASTe account to generate tags? An account can be setup for a shop or unit. Identify a lead or responsible member that can create tags.

Hazardous Waste Disposal Procedures

EH&S Hazardous Chemical Waste Team provides services for the disposal of hazardous chemical waste generated from by our campus colleagues such as Facilities Management, UCPD, Housing and Hospitality and many more.

Waste Streams Accepted

The UCLA Hazardous Chemical Waste Program accepts a wide variety of hazardous waste streams, including:

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Oil / Oil Rags
Paints / Stains / Thinners / Paint Strippers
Solvents
Aerosol cans / spray paint
Pepper spray
Mercury ampules

Note: We do not accept universal waste (i.e.

Segregation of Incompatible Wastes

Hazardous chemical waste must be segregated with like items.

Disposal of Particularly Hazardous Substances

This Policy describes UCLA’s commitment to protecting laboratory workers from the hazards of chemicals that Cal/OSHA has designated as “particularly hazardous substances.” Particularly hazardous substances are defined by Cal/OSHA as: reproductive toxins, acutely toxic substances and select carcinogens, which include regulated carcinogens.

Responsibilities:
- Preventing workplace injuries, exposures, and illnesses is the responsibility of every member of the campus community.
- The UCLA Office of Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) is responsible for inspection of laboratories and for campus compliance with this Policy.
- The UCLA Chemical Hygiene Officer (CHO) is responsible for developing guidance for working safely with particularly hazardous substances, including procedures, equipment, personal protective equipment, and work practices that are capable of protecting laboratory personnel from exposure.*IV. Individual laboratory groups must prepare and maintain laboratory-specific standard operating procedures (SOP) for handling particularly hazardous substances to avoid exposure.*EH&S must be notified immediately via the EH&S Hotline at 310-825-9797 if members of the laboratory become ill or exhibit signs or symptoms associated with exposure to particularly hazardous substances used in the laboratory.*Principal Investigators must identify what classes of particularly hazardous substances are in use in their labs on their Laboratory Hazard Assessment, their Safety Management Plan, or other form as designated by EH&S.
1. All laboratory personnel who work with or may be exposed to particularly hazardous substances must be provided laboratory-specific training and information by the Principal Investigator or their designee prior to beginning their initial assignment.Laboratory-specific training should cover the procedures that have been approved by the Principal Investigator and is in addition to the basics covered in the Laboratory Safety Fundamental Concepts training.Records of laboratory-specific training must be maintained in the laboratory and must include a description of the topics covered.
2. Continuing training will be conducted as needed to maintain a working knowledge of hazards and the safety requirements for all laboratory personnel who work with particularly hazardous substances, including an annual refresher for particularly hazardous substances. Written records must be maintained for each training session.*Designated area(s) for use of particularly hazardous substances must be formally established by developing SOPs and posting appropriate signage.Designated area(s) may be an entire laboratory, a specific work bench, a chemical fume hood, or any area(s) that are designated for use of hazardous substances.Access to areas where particularly hazardous substances are used or stored must be controlled by trained employees.Signage is required for all containers, designated work areas, and storage locations.Sign wording should include appropriate pictograms and identify the hazards of the particularly hazardous substance (e.g., "select carcinogens," reproductive toxins, or substances which have a high degree of acute toxicity).Entrances to designated work areas and storage locations must include signage, “AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY”, in addition to the above specific hazard warning wording.*Protocols, procedures, and experiments must be designed and performed in a manner to safely maintain control of the particularly hazardous substances.*D. PPE must be sufficient to protect eyes and skin from contact with the hazardous agents.Specific mandatory guidance for PPE selection when working with hazardous materials, including particularly hazardous substances, is described in UCLA Policy 905, Research Laboratory Personal Safety and Protective Equipment, the Chemical Hygiene Plan, and must be included in the specific chemical’s SOP.Contaminated PPE and clothing must be disposed of or decontaminated prior to removal from the designated work area.Benchtop work with particularly hazardous substances should be avoided whenever practical in favor of contained systems (such as fume hoods or glove boxes) and is not permitted if there is a reasonable likelihood of workers exceeding regulatory exposure limits.*Laboratories and rooms where particularly hazardous substances are used must have general room ventilation that is maintained at negative pressure with respect to public areas.Air from these ventilation systems must be vented externally; recirculation is not permitted.*F. Particularly hazardous substances must be stored in a designated area and used in a manner that will minimize the risk of accidental release.The use of particularly hazardous substances must be confined to an established designated area (see C.G. 1. Immediate measures must be available to prevent the possible spread of contamination in the event of a small spill of a particularly hazardous substance.Sufficient spill materials to contain a particularly hazardous substance spill and to decontaminate affected individuals, equipment, and areas must be available in all laboratories that store particularly hazardous substances.*a.*b.
3. In the event of a spill or release that causes direct exposure to a particularly hazardous substance, follow procedures detailed in the Chemical Hygiene Plan.Contaminated PPE must not be removed from the designated area until properly decontaminated or bagged as hazardous waste; refer to UCLA Policy 905 and the Chemical Hygiene Plan for guidance on the cleaning or disposal of protective apparel and other PPE.*All non-radioactive chemical waste must be disposed of through the UCLA Hazardous Chemical Waste Program.Mixed wastes of hazardous chemicals and radioactive material are disposed of through the Radiation Safety Department.*J. 1. Regulated carcinogens are a specific subset of select carcinogens which have special additional requirements associated with their use under certain circumstances.See Attachment B for the specific list.EH&S maintains an air sampling program to monitor individuals to determine if they are, or may reasonably be expected to, exceed short- or long-term exposure limits.
4. Listed carcinogens are a further subset of regulated carcinogens.See Attachment C for the specific list.The use of these materials must be registered with EH&S through the Laboratory Hazard Assessment, Safety Management Plan, or other equivalent EH&S approved process.

Electronic Waste Recycling

Any electronic waste collected at these events is sent to a facility within the State of California that certifies that it is 100% demanufactured and recycled to the commodity level in the United States. In addition, the City of Los Angeles Sanitation (LASAN) has established a number of permanent collection sites throughout the City known as S.A.F.E. Centers (Solvents/Automotive/Flammables/Electronics).

These S.A.F.E. The LASAN S.A.F.E.

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10241 N. Gaffey Street
1400 N. Hyperion
7660 W. Randall Street
UCLA S.A.F.E. 550 Charles E. Washington Boulevard
2649 E. Paint Recycling

Paint Recycling

California residents and businesses can now recycle leftover paint at select retail locations.

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