Hazardous waste pick up and disposal
- 210 Materials Management Building (MMB)
- hse.info@ualberta.ca
The University of Alberta offers a hazardous waste pickup service for university researchers. Follow the steps below to register for the service and to ensure that your waste is packaged and labeled correctly.
1. Register for pick up
University research groups that generate hazardous waste should enroll in CHEMATIX, a web-based system to manage waste disposal. Based on CHEMATIX input, HSE will schedule waste pickup and transfer for the university. Here's how to get started:
- Register online to get access to CHEMATIX. You will be added to the system and notified by email.
- Take the Hazardous Waste Management course and review the CHEMATIX user manual.
- Visit the CHEMATIX website for more information or to log in.
NOTE: Use your university CCID and associated password to log in to the system.
Don't have a CCID?
TEC Edmonton and other groups at the university may not currently have a CCID. Contact IST to request a guest CCID.
What happens after registration in CHEMATIX?
Once you're registered in CHEMATIX, HSE will come to your area to pick up your hazardous waste. Review the waste pickup process and schedule here.
2. Label your waste containers
The federal Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Act regulates the transportation of specific products. According to TDG Regulations, the following information must appear on a container label:
- Name of chemical (list all constituents)
- Quantity (weight or volume of each component)
3. Package your waste containers
- Ensure containers are chemically compatible with contents.
- Choose containers with screw top or sealed lids.
- Place leaking containers in secondary containers.
- Leave 10% air space in containers in case of expansion.
- Where possible, autoclave and dispose of as regular garbage.
- Where autoclaving is not possible, dispose of wastes in an appropriate container (e.g., box, bag, or pail; sharps in a designated container).
- Refer to the Biosafety Manual for more information.
- Use only clear plastic bags and deface radioactive labels inside the bag. If necessary, perform a contamination survey of the container, and decontaminate as required.
- In addition, if disposing of liquid scintillation vials, separate glass from plastic vials and double bag waste or box in the original shipping container.
Still not sure how to safely package your waste for disposal? Use the How to Package Hazardous Waste guide to determine how to safely package and dispose of hazardous waste. This guide addresses all types of waste, including high hazard chemicals, building materials, and unique research-related items that you may need to dispose of.
4. Store your waste for pickup
Once you have packaged and labeled your hazardous waste, store it safely in your laboratory. Health, Safety and Environment will collect it from your laboratory.
Do not leave it on a loading dock or any other publicly accessible space.
5. After waste is picked up
Waste is transferred by truck to the university's hazard waste facility at Cloverbar. There it is sorted and then sent for final disposal to licensed waste facilities in and around the City of Edmonton.
Not sure how to dispose of waste safely?
- Take the Hazardous Waste Management course
- Try our "How to Package Hazardous Waste" guide
- Find out how to dispose or recycle glassware
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