Disposal of Other Wastes

Materials Safe for Landfill

Many solid chemicals may be safely disposed via the normal trash if the containers are tightly capped and of good integrity. Examples are given on the list below. If disposal is intended of more than five pounds of any one of these chemicals, contact the campus Hazardous Waste Coordinator for further evaluation.

• Acid, Ascorbic
• Acid, Benzoic
• Acid, Boric
• Acid, Casamind
• Acid, Citric
• Acid, Lactic
• Acid, Oleic
• Acid, Phosphotungstic
• Acid, Phthalic
• Acid, Salicylic
• Acid, Silicic
• Acid, Stearic
• Acid, Succinic
• Acid, Tartaric
• Agar
• Albumen
• Aluminum Hydroxide
• Aluminum metal
• Aluminum Oxide Amino
• Acids, alpha and salts
• Ammonium Bicarbonate
• Ammonium Carbonate
• Ammonium Chloride
• Ammonium Citrate
• Ammonium Lactate
• Ammonium Sulphamate
• Ammonium Phosphate
• Ammonium Sulfate
• Barium Carbonate
• Beef Extract
• Barium Sulfate
• Buffer Solution
• Calcium Borate
• Calcium Chloride
• Calcium Carbonate
• Calcium Fluoride
• Calcium Citrate
• Calcium Oxide
• Calcium Lactate
• Calcium Sulfate
• Calcium Phosphate
• Charcoal, animal
• Cerelose, Dextrose
• Copper Oxide
• Chromatographic Absorbent
• Cobalt Oxide
• Dextrose
• Drierite
• Extract, Malt
• Extract, Yeast
• Ferrous Ammonium Sulfate
• Ferric Sulfate
• Gelatin
• Galactose
• Gum, Arabic
• Gaphite
• Hematoxylin
• Iron Oxide
• Kaolin
• Litmus, Mild
• Lactose
• Lithium Carbonate
• Lithium Chloride
• Lithium Sulfate
• Magnesium Borate
• Magnesium Citrate
• Magnesium Carbonate
• Magnesium Oxide
• Magnesium Chloride
• Magnesium Sulfate
• Magnesium Lactate
• Manganese Acetate
• Magnesium Phosphate
• Manganese Dioxide
• Maltose
• Manganese Chloride
• Manganese Oxide
• Manganese Sulfate
• Methyl Salicylate
• Paraffin
• Petroleum jelly
• Peptone
• Pepsin
• Potassium Acetate
• Potassium Bicarbonate
• Potassium Bisulfate
• Potassium Bitartrate
• Potassium Borate
• Potassium Bromate
• Potassium Bromide
• Potassium Carbonate
• Potassium Lactate
• Potassium Iodide
• Potassium Phosphate
• Potassium Sodium Tartrate
• Potassium Sulfate
• Potassium Sulfite
• Potassium Sulphocyanate
• Pumice
• SDS (sodium dodecyl sulfate)
• Sodium Acetate
• Sodium Ammonium Phosphate
• Sodium Benzoate
• Sodium Bicarbonate
• Sodium Bisulfate
• Sodium Borate
• Sodium Bromide
• Sodium Carbonate
• Sodium Chloride
• Sodium Citrate
• Sodium Formate
• Sodium Iodide
• Sodium Lactate
• Sodium Phosphate
• Sodium Salicylate
• Sodium Silicate
• Sodium Succinate
• Sodium Sulfate
• Sodium Sulfite
• Sodium Tartrate
• Sodium Thioglycollate
• Sodium Thiosulfate
• Sodium Tungstate
• Starch
• Strontium Carbonate
• Strontium Phosphate
• Strontium Sulfate
• Sucrose
• Sulfur
• Sugars
• Sugar alcohols
• Talcum powder
• Tin metal
• Thymol
• Tin Oxide
• Trypticase
• Tryptone
• Urea
• Zinc Oxide

Materials Not Safe for Sewer

Waste disposal would be greatly simplified if all liquid waste could be poured down the drain. However, common sense tells us that some things shouldn't end up in Green Bay. What can or cannot be poured down the drain is regulated by the Green Bay Metropolitan Sewerage District. The METRO Sewerage System must comply with the Clean Water Act and other state and federal regulations which limit discharge. Regulations concerning sewer use are found in the Green Bay Metro Sewer Use Ordinance, adopted May 1993. The material below covers the main points of the ordinance which may apply to campus employees. If you want a copy of the complete ordinance please contact Scott Piontek, 920-465-2273.

It's easier to describe what should not be disposed of via the sanitary sewer rather than what is allowed. There's an important distinction between a sanitary sewer and a storm sewer. Storm sewer run-off typically goes directly into the river/bay; therefore, it's very important that liquids are not disposed of via a storm sewer. Sanitary sewerage is pre-treated before being discharged into the river/bay. The most current Sewer Use Ordinance specifically prohibits the following from being disposed of via a sanitary sewer:

• Very hot (> 150°F) or very cold ( < 32°F) liquids. Generally, benchtop quantities of very hot or very cold liquids used in academic laboratories can be poured down the drain since all campus liquids wastes are mixed together and liquid temperatures will moderate before leaving the campus.
• Waste which creates a fire hazard (flash point < 140°F) - check the MSDS or label for this information. Flammable solids and gases should also be excluded from sewerage.
• Volatile substances such as gasoline, kerosene, naptha, benzene, toluene, xylene, ethers, alcohols, ketones, aldehydes and peroxides. Benzene concentrations shall not exceed 0.5 mg/L.
• Solid or viscous material which is likely to cause obstruction to sewer flow e.g. mud, straw, plastics, wax, wood, animal guts
• Liquids with a pH < 5 or > 9. Campus personnel can neutralize acids and bases and then pour down the drain. See comments below on neutralization.
• Radioactive wastes which do not comply with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
• Petroleum oil, nonbiodegradable cutting oil or products of mineral origin
• Strongly colored solutions
• Certain heavy metals as listed below with restrictions on concentration and quantity. If both concentration and quantity amounts are exceeded, liquid waste cannot be sewered:

Take special note of the low concentration limits for arsenic, lead and mercury, and the fact that the concentration of the metal in solution is the only criteria for mercury disposal.

Academic institutions tend to discharge small quantities of a variety of substances, compared to industries that discharge large quantities of a limited number of substances. It's possible that small quantities of one of the above prohibited items may be safely sewered. However, before you do this, contact the University Safety Manager, Scott Piontek, ext. 2273, who will seek permission from the METRO Sewerage District.

If you accidentally discharge one of the prohibited substances in a sanitary sewer, the campus must notify the METRO Sewerage District. Please contact Scott Piontek, ext. 2273, if this occurs.

Materials Safely Sewered

• alcohols (methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, isopropyl-, "reagent" alcohol) acetone, and glycerine - If the concentration is less than 24% alcohol by volume benchtop quantities may be flushed down the drain of a chemical sink with 20 volumes of water. However, it is not allowable to dilute alcohol for the purpose of rendering it non-hazardous.
• dilute, < 20%, aqueous solutions of potassium chlorate or sodium chlorate
• dilute, < 20%, aqueous solutions of the following chemicals

Here's a list of materials that can be sewered:

• AciAcid, Ascorbic
• Acid, Benzoic
• Acid, Boric
• Acid, Casamind
• Acid, Citric
• Acid, Lactic
• Acid, Oleic
• Acid, Phosphotungstic
• Acid, Phthalic
• Acid, Salicylic
• Acid, Silicic
• Acid, Stearic
• Acid, Succinic
• Acid, Tartaric
• Agar
• Albumen
• Aluminum Hydroxide
• Aluminum Oxide
• Amino Acids, alpha and salts
• Ammonium Bicarbonate
• Ammonium Carbonate
• Ammonium Chloride
• Ammonium Citrate
• Ammonium Lactate
• Ammonium Sulphamate
• Ammonium Phosphate
• Ammonium Sulfate
• Barium Carbonate
• Beef Extract
• Barium Sulfate
• Buffer Solution
• Calcium Borate
• Calcium Chloride
• Calcium Carbonate
• Calcium Fluoride
• Calcium Citrate
• Calcium Oxide
• Calcium Lactate
• Calcium Sulfate
• Calcium Phosphate
• Cerelose, Dextrose
• Copper Oxide
• Chromatographic Absorbent
• Cobalt Oxide
• Dextrose
• Extract, Malt
• Extract, Yeast
• Ferrous Ammonium Sulfate
• Ferric Sulfate
• Gelatin
• Galactose
• Gum, Arabic
• Hematoxylin
• Iron Oxide
• Kaolin
• Litmus, Mild
• Lactose
• Lithium Carbonate
• Lithium Chloride
• Lithium Sulfate
• Magnesium Borate
• Magnesium Citrate
• Magnesium Carbonate
• Magnesium Chloride
• Magnesium Lactate
• Magnesium Oxide
• Magnesium Phosphate
• Magnesium Sulfate
• Maltose
• Manganese Acetate
• Manganese Chloride
• Manganese Dioxide
• Manganese Oxide
• Manganese Sulfate
• Methyl Salic ylate
• Pepsin
• Peptone
• Potassium Acetate
• Potassium Bicarbonate
• Potassium Bisulfate
• Potassium Bitartrate
• Potassium Borate
• Potassium Bromate
• Potassium Bromide
• Potassium Carbonate Potassium Iodide
• Potassium Lactate
• Potassium Phosphate
• Potassium Sodium Tartrate
• Potassium Sulfate
• Potassium Sulfite
• Potassium Sulphocyanate
• Pumice
• SDS (sodium dodecyl sulfate)
• Sodium Acetate
• Sodium Ammonium Phosphate Sodium Benzoate
• Sodium Bicarbonate
• Sodium Bisulfate
• Sodium Borate
• Sodium Bromide
• Sodium Carbonate
• Sodium Chloride
• Sodium Citrate
• Sodium Formate
• Sodium Iodide
• Sodium Lactate
• Sodium Phosphate
• Sodium Salicylate
• Sodium Silicate
• Sodium Succinate
• Sodium Sulfate
• Sodium Sulfite
• Sodium Tartrate
• Sodium Thioglycollate
• Sodium Thiosulfate
• Sodium Tungstate
• Starch
• Strontium Carbonate
• Strontium Phosphate
• Strontium Sulfate
• Sucrose
• Sulfur
• Sugars
• Sugar alcohols
• Thymol Tin Oxide
• Trypticase Tryptone
• Urea
• Zinc Oxide

Special Wastes

Some things can't just be thrown in the trash, even if it seems like they can. Find out how to safely dispose them.

Batteries

The campus is no longer allowed to place most batteries in the normal trash. Current policies on battery disposal apply only to businesses (such as UW-Green Bay). Homeowners are encouraged to bring their waste batteries to Brown County Household Hazardous Waste Facility at 2561 S. Broadway, Green Bay (920-492-4950) for proper disposal.

• Alkaline Batteries: include AAA, AA, A, C, D and 9 volt. Dispose in normal trash.
• Lead Acid Batteries: found in autos, trucks, etc. Do not place in normal trash. Exchange old battery for new one at dealer or contact Scott Piontek, ext. 2273, for recycling.
• Button Batteries: found in watches, calculators, cameras and other small equipment. They can contain silver oxide, mercury, lithium or cadmium. These materials are considered hazardous waste. Contents can be determined by reading original battery packaging. Do not place in normal trash. Either return to dealer, who sold the battery, for recycling (prior arrangement required) or contact Scott Piontek, ext. 2273, for hazardous waste disposal. Button batteries can only be recycled if they are segregated on the basis of metal content. Try to get into the habit of keeping the original packaging to refer to once the battery is spent.
• Lithium Batteries: found in some electronic equipment. See original packaging for content information. Do not place in normal trash. Either return to dealer, who sold the battery, for recycling (prior arrangement required) or contact Scott Piontek, ext. 2273 for hazardous waste disposal. Keep lithium batteries separate from other batteries when collecting.
• Nickel Cadmium (NiCad) Batteries: found in items including medical equipment, pagers and cellular telephones. Check original packaging for content information. Do not place in normal trash. Either return to dealer, who sold the battery, for recycling (prior arrangement required) or contact Scott Piontek, ext. 2273 for hazardous waste disposal. Keep NiCad batteries separate from other batteries when collecting.

Fluorescent Lamps

Fluorescent lamps contain small quantities of mercury and other metals that are harmful to the environment and to human health. If these lamps are burned or thrown into landfills, the mercury and lead in them can be released into the environment, where contamination problems may occur. UW-Green Bay sends the following lamps off campus for recycling:

• fluorescent lamps
• sodium-vapor lamps
• high- and low-pressure mercury vapor lamps
• high intensity discharge (HID) lamps

Collection of used fluorescent lamps is handled by Operations since they are responsible for bulb replacement. If your department generates any of the above lamps which should be sent out for recycling please contact Operations or Scott Piontek. Avoid breakage of lamps. Similar to battery disposal policies, fluorescent lamp disposal requirements apply to businesses. Homeowners are encouraged to bring their spent fluorescent lamps to the Brown County Household Hazardous Waste Facility, 2561 S. Broadway, Green Bay (920-492-4950) for recycling.

Infectious Waste

Infectious waste is regulated under the recently enacted Chapter NR 526, Medical Waste Management. A waste is considered to be an infectious waste if it falls in one of the following categories:

• Sharps, as follows:
  • Contaminated sharps which are both infectious and may easily cause punctures or cuts in the skin, including but not limited to: hypodermic needles, syringes with needles attached, scalpel blades, lancets, broken glass vials, broken rigid plastic vials and laboratory slides. Contaminated means they have come in contact with blood or other potentially infectious material.
  • Unused or disinfected sharps which are being discarded, including hypodermic needles, scalpel blades, lancets and syringes with needles attached. Note: Only "contaminated" broken glass, plastic vials, laboratory slides, etc. are considered infectious waste. However, all discarded sharps (contaminated or not) such as hypodermic needles, scalpel blades, lancets and syringes with needles attached are considered infectious was
• Bulk blood and body fluids from humans, or drippable or pourable quantities or items saturated with blood or other potentially infectious materials. In making this determination ask yourself whether blood or other potentially infectious material is drippable, squeezable, pourable or flakeable.
• Human tissue
• Microbiological laboratory waste
  Note: Microbiological waste means cultures derived from clinical specimens or laboratory equipment which has come in contact with these cultures.
• Tissue, bulk blood or body fluids from an animal which is carrying a zoonotic infectious agent.

Items which generally are not considered infectious waste include the following:

• Items soiled but not saturate with blood of body fluids from humans (application of the drippable, squeezable, pourable, flakeable rule).
• Tissue, blood, body fluids or cultures from an animal which is not known to be carrying or experimentally infected with a zoonotic infectious agent.
• Animal manure and bedding.

Treatment Options

More than one treatment option is available for infectious waste. Sharps are collected and sent off campus for incineration to comply with Chapter NR 526. The remaining infectious waste is autoclaved (steam sterilization) and then disposed of as normal trash.

Collection & Handling

• Infectious waste should be segregated and contained in an enclosed area until it is treated.
• Sharps should be placed in a puncture-proof and leak-proof container with a sealable lid. The outside container must be labeled with a visible biohazard emblem (fluorescent orange background with contrasting color - typically black - biohazard symbol). Red sharps containers are commercially available.
• Other infectious waste should be placed in an infectious waste bag (leak proof) with a biohazard label.
• Contact either Mark Damie, Biology Lab Technician, or Health Services to arrange for disposal.

Photographic Waste

The campus reclaims silver from photographic waste. Although the Metropolitan Sewerage District currently does not limit silver discharge, the campus does silver reclamation to prevent possible contamination of our natural resources. If your department generates photographic waste which contains silver, please contact Scott Piontek, ext. 2273, to arrange for reclamation. There is no charge to departments for this service. Generally all other photographic waste can be disposed via the sanitary sewer. 

Radioactive Waste

Radioactive waste cannot be disposed of via typical hazardous waste disposal options such as incineration. Very few sites will accept radioactive waste for disposal. As a result, disposing of radioactive waste is expensive. Before generating any radioactive waste, please contact Scott Piontek to discuss disposal options and costs. In addition to potential waste disposal requirements, work with radioactive isotopes requires compliance with our NRC license and prior approval from the Campus Radiation Safety Committee.