Proper Storage of Chemical Waste

(For purposes of convenience, this page will not be covering Radioactive Materials or Biohazardous Materials. These may be added in a future edit)

This information is from the page Chemical Waste on Wikipedia.

Laboratory waste containers
Packaging, labeling, and storage are the three requirements for disposing of chemical waste. (These guidelines are not applicable to biohazardous waste and radioactive waste).

Packaging
For packaging, chemical liquid waste containers should only be filled up to 75% capacity to allow for vapor expansion and to reduce potential spills which could occur from moving overfilled containers. Container material must be compatible with the stored hazardous waste.

In addition to the general packaging requirements mentioned above, incompatible materials should never be mixed in a single container (see below). Precipitates, solids, or other non-fluid wastes are typically stored separate from liquid waste.

Labeling
All containers should be labeled with the group name from the chemical waste category and an itemized list of the contents. All chemicals or anything contaminated with chemicals pose a significant hazard. All waste must be appropriately packaged.

Storage
When storing chemical wastes, the containers must be in good condition and should remain closed unless waste is being added. The container should be sturdy and leak-proof and must be labeled. All liquid waste must be stored in leak-proof containers with a screw-top or other secure lid, not parafilm or other loose-fitting lids that can become dislodged in transit. A secondary containment (e.g., flammable cabinet or large plastic bin, etc.) should be used to capture spills and leaks from the primary container and segregate incompatible hazardous wastes, such as acids and bases.