Hazardous Waste

The Hazardous Waste Program provides guidelines for the disposal of all chemical, radiological, biological, explosive, and potentially unstable waste produced at the university. The Fort Garry hazardous waste management facility consists of a flammable storage module, a transfer station and a licensed PCB storage site. All hazardous waste generated by university departments are ultimately brought to this facility. Chemicals that can be reused are sent to free stores for recycling. Most of the chemicals received are sent for disposal to a local hazardous waste contractor. Radioactive waste is stored and where possible is decayed to background levels prior to disposal. Biological waste is sterilized in the lab prior to disposal at the Brady landfill. Disposal of Potentially unstable waste is performed by the hazardous waste program under the approval of Manitoba Conservation.
    
WHAT IS HAZARDOUS WASTE?

In Manitoba a hazardous waste can be defined as any substance that was a dangerous good, which is no longer used for its original purpose, but still exhibits characteristics of a dangerous good. Any waste which has one or more of the following properties listed below must be treated as a hazardous waste.

• FLAMMABLE 
• CORROSIVE
• TOXIC 
• REACTIVE 
• COMPRESSED GAS 
• RADIOACTIVE
• BIOHAZARDOUS
• POTENTIALLY EXPLOSIVE/UNKNOWN

DISPOSAL OF HAZARDOUS WASTE

All hazardous waste must be disposed in accordance with federal and local regulations. Drain disposal of hazardous waste as well as disposal in the regular trash is unacceptable. Aside from obvious infractions to environmental regulations, drain disposal may lead to dangerous reactions, damage to plumbing systems or create a hazard for trades personnel. Disposal in the regular trash may put caretaking staff at risk. Remember that just because a chemical is water soluble does not necessarily make it suitable for drain disposal.

Removal of most hazardous wastes is available to University departments at no charge. Individual departments may however be charged for the cost of identification and disposal of "Unknowns".

Pick up of hazardous waste at the Fort Garry campus is initiated by filling out a Hazardous Waste Removal Form and sending it to EHSO. Pick up is normally within two weeks for smaller quantities, whereas larger laboratory clean outs require more notice.

Hazardous Waste at the Bannatyne campus should be brought to room T152 in the Pathology building along with a completed hazardous waste removal form on scheduled hazardous waste days. Radioactive waste may be brought to room T041 of the Pathology building on scheduled Rad Waste Days. These schedules are available here or by contacting EHSO at 474-6633. An urgent pick up may be requested on either campus in the event of a special circumstance.

Any questions pertaining to Hazardous Waste should be directed to the:

Paul Houle, Environmental Management Coordinator at: 474-6316 
Joey Bellino, Assistant Environmental Management Coordinator at: 474-6970