Department of Biology
Solvent Waste Disposal
- There are 3 categories of waste solvents that are disposed of via Biology Stores & Goods Services:
- Hierarchy of solvent disposal- solvent mixtures to be classified in the following order:
- Halogenated > Flammable > Aqueous for example,
- Chloroform / Tetrahydrofuran (THF) = halogenated
- Ether / DMSO = flammable
- Solvent waste must be collected in 'contained' (plastic coated) 2.5L (Winchester) bottles that have been thoroughly rinsed before use (confirmed by a sticker available from Biology Stores).
- Solvent waste bottles must be labelled with the appropriate solvent waste label detailing:
- solvent type and any dissolved chemicals
- source of the waste
- originating lab group(s)
- date disposed
- Solvent waste bottle lids must not be tightened (loosen lid during use to avoid possible risk of pressure build up within bottle).
- Incompatibilities: reactive substances must not be mixed in one waste container. For example, acids, alkalis, peroxides, oxidising and reducing agents must not go into solvent waste streams. They must be labelled as such, segregated from other waste and treated as chemicals.