General
Where do I find general information on hazardous waste?
EH&S HazMat has a dedicated portal that outlines: (a) the main waste streams generated at USC, (b) proper waste management and disposal, and (c) environmental compliance.
Find more information at https://ehs.usc.edu/hazmat-mgmt/ and the Hazardous Waste Management Manual.
How do I request a hazardous waste pick-up?
Visit the Request a Hazardous Waste Pickup website for details. Research and non-research areas can submit requests via online forms.
Once a pickup request is submitted, when will EH&S remove the waste items? Do I need to be present when the pickup occurs?
Allow 3 to 5 business days for processing the request and removal of the waste.
If the waste is in an established waste accumulation area (WAA), then it is not required for someone to be present.
Waste storage locations other than WAA that are locked during normal business hours need to have representatives present when EH&S HazMat arrives. Contact hazmat@usc.edu or (323) 442-2200 to re-schedule a pickup if personnel will not be available.
What waste containers does EH&S provide?
EH&S provides the following containers:
- Poly safety cans for flammable/combustible and halogenated solvent recycling
- Bio red bags and poly containers
- Red sharps containers
- Green sharps containers (for chemically-contaminated sharps)
- Pharmaceutical and Chemotherapy containers
- Pathological waste containers
- Fiber drums
- Poly bags
- Used battery containers
To request supplies, follow instructions in the EHSA SOP Waste Pickup + Supplies document (only for EHSA users) or by completing the Waste Supply Request Form on the EH&S Hazmat Website.
EH&S DOES NOT provide the following:
- Clean broken glass boxes or sturdy cardboard boxes
- Secondary containers/containment for stock chemicals, reagents, or waste storage (see Hazardous Waste Prep and Staging Guide Sheet)
- All other containers not supplied by EH&S.
Refer to the Hazardous Waste Guide Sheet for additional information on proper disposal.
Does USC have a recycling program for labs?
Recycling programs for labs at USC are in development. However, below are a few viable options for labs.
Pipet Boxes
- Ensure that pipet boxes are autoclavable and decontaminate for reuse/redistribution.
- Store small tools/items.
- Offer the decontaminated boxes to:
- Department of Animal Resources (DAR) to house lab mice
- Other groups/departments
- Schools in the area through USC’s community partners
- Recycle the boxes through the original manufacturer(s). (cost associated)
- Polycarbin – accepts any brand
Chemicals Exchange
- Share chemicals that are no longer needed with peer researchers.
- Donate chemicals to area schools.
What do I do in case of a hazardous spill? Who do I notify?
Follow instructions at the Spill Response and Clean-Up web page. For notifications, follow steps here: Spill Notification Procedure.
Hazardous Waste
How do I dispose of tissue samples stored in liquid PFA?
Option 1: Decant PFA into a separate labeled hazardous waste container. Discard the tissue in an approved bio container – see Hazardous Waste Disposal Guide Sheet.
Option 2: Treat the samples as chemical waste – see Waste Hierarchy. Note on the hazardous waste label that the container has bio tissue.
How do I dispose of paints and art supplies if I’m not affiliated with a research lab?
Non-research facilities/labs can request a pick-up of certain hazardous materials (visit the Universal Waste web site for the list) by completing and submitting the Universal Waste Supply Request Form.
How do I dispose of silica gel?
Labs that generate substantial quantities of silica gel waste can use fiber drums with poly bag liners supplied by EH&S HazMat.
What is the proper way to dispose of mixed glass with free flow liquid (i.e., tubes, ampules)?
Sealed tubes and ampules that contain liquids are placed in Ziploc/sealed bags (double bag if heavy) with a proper chemical waste label. DO NOT place these tubes/ampules with liquid in the sharps container.
Do I need to have lab waste removed prior to an EH&S Safety Inspection?
It is NOT urgent to remove waste containers from your lab prior to the inspection. Ensure that expired/unwanted waste is properly labeled and submitted for disposal before the inspection. Consult the Hazardous Waste Prep and Staging Guide Sheet for more information.
EH&S safety inspectors will request proof of submission during the inspection.
Waste Containers
What waste containers do I use for long stem pipets?
- Bio-contaminated glass pipets – red bio sharps container
- Bio-contaminated plastic pipets – bio red bag/polycontainer
- Chemical-contaminated glass pipets – non-infectious green sharps container
- Non-contaminated glass pipets – clean broken glass box
- Non-contaminated plastic pipets – poly bag for solid waste
Can disposable gloves go into regular trash?
- Uncontaminated disposable gloves may be placed in regular trash.
- Bio-contaminated gloves are placed in bio red bag/polycontainer.
- Chemical-contaminated gloves are placed in a poly bag.
What container is used for chemically-contaminated glass waste?
- Cardboard box lined with clear plastic. Hazardous waste label on the outside
- Green sharps container (e.g., small glass shards, razor blades, and needles)
- 30-gallon or 55-gallon drums for quartz tubes
See the Hazardous Waste Disposal Guide Sheet for more information.
Office and Lab Equipment
How do I request pickup of old lab equipment (e.g., incubators, freezers)?
EH&S HazMat does not pick up old lab equipment (including lab refrigerators). The equipment must first be decontaminated by the owner and certified by EH&S HazMat prior to FPM pick-up. Follow instructions listed in the Lab Move or Close-Out SOP Section 6.3.1 Decontamination.
Once EH&S HazMat certifies the lab equipment for removal, contact FPM Customer Resource Center (213) 740-6833 UPC (323) 442-8005 HSC to pick-up and manage the disposal of the equipment.
How do I dispose of refrigerators and other kitchen appliances?
To dispose of refrigerators, contact FPM Customer Resource Center (213) 740-6833 UPC (323) 442-8005 HSC to pick-up and manage the disposal of the refrigerators.
NOTE: Lab refrigerators must first be decontaminated by the owner and certified by EH&S HazMat prior to FPM pick-up. Follow instructions listed in the Lab Move or Close-Out SOP Section 6.3.1 Decontamination.
To dispose of small kitchen appliances and office equipment (e.g., copiers, printers), complete and submit the Universal Waste Pickup Request Form. Consult the Universal Waste Management Fact Sheet for more information.
Fume Hoods
Who handles fume hood maintenance?
Fume hood maintenance is handled by FPM. Contact FPM Customer Resource Center (213) 740-6833 UPC (323) 442-8005 HSC.
Who handles chemical fume hood decontamination prior to decommission?
Chemical fume hoods are evaluated by HazMat and based on the assessment, HazMat will provide services or outsource the work. Contact hazmat@usc.edu for an evaluation.