Standard
Operating Procedure
Procedure
for Waste Disposal
(General)
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GP010
Version No.:
Effective
Date:
Review Date:
Supersedes:
Author(s):
Technical Approver
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Authorized By
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Name
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Designation
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Head of
Function / DI
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Director /
DI
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QA QA
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Signature
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Date
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1.
Purpose
To describe a procedure for disposal of all general and
hazardous waste and to ensure that the waste is disposed off in accordance with
global and legal requirements.
2.
Scope
This procedure is applicable for disposal of waste generated
at various functions of Fem Analytika, India
3.
Abbreviations / Definitions
CHIP: Chemical Hazards Information and Packaging Regulations
OTC: Over the Counter
WLOC: Waste Liquid Organic Compound
WLG: Waste Laboratory Glassware
4.
Procedure
Classification
of Waste:
Essentially all waste
materials can be segregated into one of the following waste types: non-hazardous,
hazardous, laboratory glass and plastics, sharps and general. Each one of these
types requires disposal in a specific manner. Therefore, care must be taken to
ensure different wastes are not mixed together.
Non-hazardous Waste
Aqueous
solutions that consist mainly of mineral acids/bases those are not highly
toxic. These may be poured down the
sink after dilution with water or neutralization. These include such
acids/bases as sulfuric, hydrochloric, hydrobromic, hydroiodic, nitric, and
acetic acids; sodium and potassium hydroxide, sodium and potassium carbonate
and bicarbonate.
Non-toxic
salts may be diluted and washed down the drain. This includes such materials as the sodium and
potassium halides, magnesium and sodium sulfate, calcium carbonate. Solutions disposed of down the drain must first be neutralized to a pH
between 5.5 and 9.5.
Raw Materials, Samples, Product
Non-hazardous
raw materials (food ingredients, starches, cellulose, etc.) can be disposed of
in very limited quantities in the conventional waste dumpsters. Materials that contain a drug ingredient
cannot be discarded in the regular trash. Flavourings <100ml are to be
disposed of down the sink with copious quantities of water. Flavourings
>100ml are to be decanted into a dedicated container kept locked in a
flammables cupboard for collection by waste management.
Finished
product
Samples
or Product in identifiable containers cannot be discarded in the regular
trash. The containers must be defaced or
destroyed so that the material is unusable.
Quantities less than 500 liters can be flushed down the sink/drain with
copious quantities of water. Larger quantities must be segregated for
collection by waste management.
Powders
Powders
that do not carry a CHIP hazards label must be segregated for collection by
site waste management.
Antifoam
Antifoam
must not be disposed of down the sink or drain in any quantity. Segregate for
collection by waste management.
Excipients
Excipients
such as starch, talc, magnesium stearate, carbopol, MCC, propylene glycol food
colors and pigments can be disposed off as routine laboratory waste
Acetone
(used for a final rinse for clean lab glassware) must not be disposed of to
drain.
Hazardous Waste
A waste is hazardous if it exhibits any one of the
four characteristics of a hazardous waste:
1.
Ignitable
Flammable Liquids- Flashpoint <140° F: Examples:
Alcohols, Toluene, Acetonitrile, etc
Oxidizers: Examples: Nitrates, Perchlorates,
Bromates, Permanganates, Peroxides, etc
Organic Peroxides: Examples: Benzoyl Peroxide, etc.
2.
Corrosive – Aqueous liquids with pH ≤ 2
or pH ≥ 12.5
Inorganic Acids: Examples: Hydrochloric Acid,
Sulfuric Acid, Nitric Acid, Phosphoric Acid
Organic Acids: Examples: Formic Acid, Lactic Acid,
Acetic Acid
Bases: Examples: Hydroxide solutions, Amines
3.
Reactive - materials which can react
violently with water, create toxic and /or flammable gases when mixed with
water, ignite or react upon exposure to air, or are capable of detonation at
standard temperature and pressure. Examples: Peroxide formers, Alkali metals -
Sodium, Potassium, Lithium, Perchloric Acid, etc.
4.
Toxic – Toxic heavy metals (e.g.,
arsenic, barium, cadmium, lead, mercury, silver) and organic chemicals (e.g.,
chloroform, cresols, carbon tetrachloride).
Acids
and bases containing heavy metals. These are usually toxic or
dangerous oxidants and should not be disposed of down the sink, but should be
bottled separately from other wastes and labeled appropriately. These include
perchloric, periodic, perbromic, arsenous, stannous, chromic, and similar
acids. If in doubt, do not put down the sink, but bottle separately and ask.
Toxic
metal salts should not be put down the sink. These should be
bottled separately from other wastes. These include salts of mercury, thallium,
barium oxide, and transition metals of any sort such as chromium trioxide and
other chromium salts, selenium, etc.
Non-halogenated
waste. All organic materials that are liquid, that do not
contain halogens or sulfur, will dissolve in organic solution, and do not contain
water may be combined in a common waste container (the "NONHALOGENATED
WASTE" container). This includes such common substances as THF, alcohols,
acetone, ether, hexanes, DMF, benzene, toluene, used pump oil, etc. There does
not have to be a separate container for carcinogenic waste or washings, but it
may be appropriate to bottle these separately and label them (e.g., benzidine,
nitrosomethylurea) for safety in handling by EHS personnel.
Halogenated
waste. All sulfur and halogen containing organic materials
should be combined in a common waste container (the "HALOGENATED
WASTE" container). These include tetrahydrothiophene, dichloromethane,
chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, chlorobenzene, dimethyl sulfide, thiophene,
thiols, etc. These should not be mixed under any circumstances with the
NONHALOGENATED WASTE!! It is thus most reasonable to rinse flasks containing
halogenated waste with a SMALL amount of dichloromethane and pour it into the
halogenated waste.
Corrosive
/ Reactive waste. Do not simply pour corrosive and/or reactive
molecules into any waste bottle. Neutralize carefully to a less nasty form
wherever reasonably possible. Example: all acyl chloride waste should be
cautiously neutralized with a small amount of waste recycled methanol (result -
an ester!) and placed in the HALOGENATED WASTE bottle.
Waste Liquid Organic Compound (WLOC)
From HPLC. These
are collected directly from the instruments in suitable plastic/glass
containers (containers must be compatible with the waste chemicals), clearly
labeled with the correct WLOC category (see below) and hazard(s) signs.
From other analytical procedures. WLOC’s
derived from other analytical processes must be removed to the fume hood for
transfer to a suitable plastic / glass container clearly labeled with the
correct WLOC category and hazard(s) signs (see below). Container lids must
closed and secure (i.e., screw type lid) at all times waste is not being added
to them. Stoppered bottles or use of
paraffin wax to seal containers is not acceptable. When full (to the shoulder) transfer
container to the designated chemical waste satellite accumulation area. Utilize
secondary containment in the Chemical Waste Satellite Accumulation Area to hold
potential spills from containers and to segregate incompatible wastes (e.g.
oxidizers from flammables).
The
current categories are listed below:
a) Iodinated
Waste - materials with iodine, such as Karl Fischer waste (unless it contains
pyridine, in which case it goes with Basic/Nitrogenous waste).
b) Halogenated
Waste - Organic compounds containing chlorine and bromine.
c) Acetonitrile
Waste - Primarily HPLC related eluents and solvents containing this compound.
d) Basic/Nitrogenous
waste - Waste with pH7 or above plus nitrogenous waste compound, which do not
fall into any other category and excluding Karl Fischer waste.
e) Oxygenated
Waste - Organic acids, alcohols, ketones, esters, ethers, aldehydes,
sulphoxides, anhydrides and phthalates.
f) Hydrocarbon
Waste - Compounds containing hydrogen and carbon only.
g) Acid
waste - Waste with pH 6 or below.
Expired Chemicals
Periodically
inspect chemical inventory and dispose of any chemicals that meet the
descriptions below. The following are signs of chemicals in inventory which may
require disposal.
a) Change
of color, or clarity
b) Change
of state (e.g., solid to liquid or liquid to solid)
c) Expiration
date on container label is exceeded
d) Inventory
or opening dates are several years old
e) Accretion
of sweating, crusts, or crystals around caps and container surfaces
f) Hydrated
compounds lost their water of hydration
g) Corrosion,
rust, cracked caps on containers
h) Tattered,
discolored, illegible or missing container labels
Expired
chemicals / chemicals matching the above description should be left in their
original containers, stored in the “Expired Chemicals” cabinet under the fume
hoods for collection by waste management.
Unknown Chemicals
If
the identity of a chemical cannot be ascertained, this chemical must be handled
by EHS as an unknown. Unknown chemicals
are considered to be extremely dangerous, because of the lack of information
available regarding reactivity, physical stability and decomposition
by-products. Since some chemicals can
develop reactive moieties around caps or ground glass stoppers, never open an
unknown chemical container. To remove the unknown chemical, provide EHS
personnel with any information you may have regarding the material.
OTC
medicines/stability testing products
All
products containing solid tablets such as paracetamol and placebo’s etc must be
segregated from liquid OTC products and all will be treated as hazardous waste.
Hazardous Biological Waste
Waste
containing or contaminated with an infectious or potentially infectious agent,
a biological toxin, an animal carcass, a genetically modified organism,
recombinant DNA, etc.
Clean laboratory glass/plastic waste
Laboratory Glassware is any item that
could puncture regular trash bags and potentially cause injuries to someone
handling the trash bag. Laboratory
Glassware includes: clean and empty broken glassware, bottles, flasks, vials
and glass pasteur pipettes not used
for chemical, bio-hazardous or infectious materials. Broken laboratory glassware, as well as
intact glassware that could potentially break during waste handling activities,
is referred to as Waste Laboratory Glassware (WLG). Broken plastic ware may
also be disposed as WLG if it has potential to cause injury during
handling. In general, plastic pipette
tips do not have potential to cause injury and may be disposed of directly into
the regular trash. It is acceptable to
use a plastic bucket with a lid in lieu of the trash bag-lined cardboard
box. Regardless of the type of container
used, always ensure you place a “Broken Glass Only” label on the outside. This label communicates the potential hazard to
anyone who may handle the container. WLG
may be disposed of as regular trash after it has been safely packaged and
labeled.
Acceptable Glass or Plastic Materials
for Disposal: Laboratory glass must be appropriately decontaminated, where
necessary, prior to disposal. Remove/empty all materials from the container by
using the methods commonly employed to empty the container (pumping, pouring,
etc.). Empty containers, that contained aqueous based liquids or solid
materials (i.e. acids or bases), are to be rinsed out (3 times). If the
container previously held a hazardous chemical, the rinsate must be collected
as hazardous waste. Empty glassware, that contained volatile liquids (i.e.
solvents), may be placed into an operating empty fume hood overnight (without
the cap) to allow the vapors to disperse.
When containers are contaminated with
residues that would be classified as a hazardous waste and the residues cannot
be removed, the entire container with residues must be disposed of as a
hazardous waste.
Sharps waste
Sharps are defined as any object
having acute corners, edges or protuberances capable of cutting or piercing,
e.g. syringe needles, razor blades, etc. These items cannot be disposed of in
the normal lab trash. Needles must not be separated from syringes prior to
discard. All needles and syringes must be disposed as units. Sharps must be
stored in puncture-proof containers marked “Chemical Sharps”. Containers must
be placed near the area of sharps waste generation in the work area or
laboratory. They must be segregated for collection by site waste management
when no more than 3/4 full and must not be overfilled.
General
Waste Materials
The
disposal of general waste materials generated from, for example, food
preparation or office waste may be disposed of in
standard waste paper baskets. ALL cardboard packaging will have to be
flattened prior to disposal in general waste bin. This waste must not contain
any radioactive, chemical, or biomedical materials. No liquids of any kind
(sterile water, saline, etc.), nor grease or motor oil may be placed into the
general refuse.
Disposal
of Waste:
Solid non-hazardous waste – Disposed in Black Bag – handed
over to agency
Solid hazardous waste – Disposed in Red Bag – handed over
to agency
Liquid hazardous waste – Disposed in compatible container
– handed over to agency
Sharp waste – Disposed in Blue container – handed over to
agency
General refuse type wastes are removed by the cleaners.
Storage of Waste
Waste that has to be stored before collection and final
disposal should not accumulate in corridors, wards or places that are accessible
to the general public. The location and size of any storage area depends upon
the quantity, quality and type of waste produced and how frequent collections
are made.
Waste disposal is carried out via a two- tiered waste
accumulation and storage system: satellite accumulation and main accumulation.
Satellite Accumulation Areas (SAA)
Satellite Accumulation Areas are designated storage
locations for hazardous waste while the material is accumulated. Specific rules
apply to these areas:
a) SAA
must be in close proximity to the place of waste generation. Waste from one lab
cannot be stored in another lab, a prep room, or in a room across a hallway
b) The
waste containers must be closed at all times except when waste is being added.
Tight-fitting, non-leaking lids must be used
c) All
containers must be clearly labeled with the words “hazardous waste” as soon as
any waste is placed in the container. The complete chemical name must be on the
label
d) Segregate
containers by hazard class and compatibility. (e.g. acids away from bases and
flammables). Secondary containers can be used to accomplish this
e) Waste
containers must be in good condition and compatible with the wastes being
stored
f) A
generator may accumulate up to a total of 55 gallons of hazardous waste
g) Once
the container is full, the date must be written on the label. The waste must be
transferred to the 30-day storage area within three days of this date.
h) Partially
full containers cannot be stored in satellite accumulation areas for more than
one year from the date when satellite accumulation began in that container. The
waste container must be moved to the 30-day storage area at or before the end
of that year.
Before transferring the waste to the 30-day storage area the
employee must fill the chemical waste log sheets (refer Appendix A) kept with
the security. Complete
the details accurately especially regarding the chemical substances, the
quantity, and the exact location of the waste. Make sure to properly log every
waste entering into a waste container.
30 Day Storage Area
Hazardous waste is taken to and stored in the 30-day
storage area until a transporter picks up the material. Since we are a small
quantity generator we must ship out the hazardous waste within 30 days of the
date on each container. Typically a waste shipment will occur approximately twelve
times per year.
The following rules for wastes stored here are:
a) Chemicals
must be separated based on compatibility
b) Labels
must identify its contents, marked with the words such as “hazardous waste”, and should be easy to read
c) Containers
should be filled to a safe level (must not be filled over 90%)
d) All
containers should be placed in a contained area
e) Containers
must be in good condition
f) Adequate
aisle space must be maintained
g) Container
must be compatible with the waste
h) Container
must be kept closed
i) The
room gets inspected weekly to ensure compliance with the above
Procedure for Waste Collection by Chemical Contractor
Waste will be picked up by the contractors (Vulcan
Bio-Medical Waste Management Company) at regular intervals as defined in the
agreement.
5.
Responsibilities
Managers and Supervisors must ensure that:
a) All staff
are trained in all aspects of this SOP or are deemed to be competent in its
applications
b) Hazardous
waste is identified and segregated into the appropriate waste streams;
c) Hazardous
waste stored, labeled and transported appropriately; staff receive appropriate
training that includes waste segregation, storage requirements, transportation
requirements, labeling, emergency procedures, spill control and awareness of
all associated hazards
d) The
waste storage areas have signs designating the purpose of the area and the
hazards present
e) Contracts
with the waste pick-up contractors are renewed in time
It is the responsibility of the lab in-charge to ensure that
the lab is in compliance with this procedure.
Personnel working under different functions are
responsible for following this procedure.
6.
References
SP –
017
SP –
028 Waste Liquid Organic Compound Stores
7.
Appendices
Appendix A: Chemical waste log sheets
8.
Revision History
SOP
No.
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Supersedes
No. & Date
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Changes
made (in brief)
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GP010-01
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