Hazardous waste generated at the University of South Carolina from its numerous sources ranging from research and teaching laboratories, art and science departments, athletics, repair shops and vehicle maintenance. Hazardous waste generators at every USC location has the responsibility for proper collection, storage, labeling and classification of their wastes.

The Hazardous Waste Management team provides many services including training on the proper processing, handling and consolidation of all hazardous wastes. USC Environmental Health and Safety Hazardous Waste Management team works closely with various external vendors to coordinate the shipment of all materials in accordance with all federal and state regulations.

The hazardous waste management team tracks all waste until it has been properly removed from the labs and sent off for treatment and/or recycled. Labs are required to submit all hazardous waste into the disposal request portal to properly notify EHS for removal. This same protocol allows users to request containers to be dropped off during the pickup process. 

Hazardous Waste Policy

Proper disposal of hazardous chemical waste is the responsibility of the waste generator. Learn how to handle and dispose of hazardous solid, liquid or compressed gaseous material that's no longer in use or expired. The policy indicated how hazardous material must be stored at each location, as well as limitations on how much can be stored at one time. The hazardous waste policy also outlines and clarify what proper "treatment" of materials stored in its original container and the correct procedure to dispose of acutely hazardous material. 

Hazardous Waste Pick-Up Request

Hazardous waste generated on USC campus must be submitted for disposal through the request portal. Hazardous waste, once submitted, will be removed within seven days of the original request, unless the team is not able to gain access to the storage location. Exceptions for not submitting a hazardous waste request, due to large quantities from clean outs can only be approved by express authorization of the Hazard Waste Manager.

 

Hazardous Waste Training

All of USC personnel who work with hazardous materials are required to obtain training and certification on how to label, store, and dispose of material that is generated. This training is required and must be renewed within one year of its initial training date. It is the responsibility of each personnel to retain a copy of this certification.