Chemical Management

12. Hazardous waste disposal

The principal or their delegate must:

• schedule, in the OHS activities calendar, and review chemical stores annually
• check for expired chemicals and chemical waste
• if required, arrange a chemical waste collection
• ensure hazardous substances and their chemical waste are disposed of correctly, as outlined in the SDS and with reference to Guidance sheet 6: Hazardous waste disposal (DOCX)
• ensure certain chemicals are not disposed of in drains or storm water systems, refer to Guidance sheet 4: Chemical spill management
• retain records of disposal certificates from an EPA-approved waste contractor.

It is illegal to pour hazardous substances and their waste down sinks, gutters or drains. Waste from hazardous substances must be stored in labelled, sturdy, leak-proof containers ready for collection. Chemical waste must not be mixed with other chemical waste. Chemical waste must be stored in suitable designated areas whilst awaiting collection.

Collection and disposal of waste from hazardous substances must be carried out by an EPA licensed disposal company. For more information phone 1300 372 842 for accredited waste disposal services in various areas or visit the EPA website.

To make collection and disposal more cost-effective, schools may wish to work together and coordinate collections, especially in rural and remote areas.

Refer to the product SDS for specific information on:

• the type of PPE that must be used when handing the chemical waste
• disposal considerations.

Labelling

Schools must ensure that any containers of waste produced or generated from hazardous substances are identified and labelled. Labelling must include, at a minimum, the product name, school details, and a hazard pictogram consistent with the correct classification of the chemical (if relevant).

The label needs to reflect the nature of the waste as closely as possible. For example, the label may identify the substance as ‘chlorinated solvent waste,’ ‘acid waste,’ or ‘caustic waste’.

Compliant labels can be generated and printed using Chemwatch GoldFFX (staff login required). See the How to generate a label for a video demonstrating the process.

Containers with unknown substances in them should be labelled ‘CAUTION DO NOT USE: UNKNOWN SUBSTANCE’ and then disposed of by an EPA licenced disposal company. For more information, refer to Guidance sheet 6: Hazardous waste disposal (DOCX).