Hazardous Waste Management

Hazardous waste is generated from various operations across RIT's campus. Laboratory experimentation and research; photographic processing; printing processes and facility maintenance are just examples of vital RIT programs that generate hazardous waste which must be properly managed and disposed.

The RIT EH&S Department is responsible for ensuring that hazardous waste generated across campus is managed in accordance with applicable regulations and is properly disposed of. To this end, RIT EH&S employees undergo hazardous waste training on an annual basis and provide this training to RIT employees who generate and/or have hazardous waste management responsibilities.

The EH&S department is continually looking for ways to minimize the generation of hazardous waste on campus. RIT departments can assist in this effort by looking for alternative chemistry that is less hazardous, and/or by looking for ways to use smaller amounts of chemicals.

Applicable Regulation

6 NYCRR Part 372

There are several management requirements that apply to RIT while hazardous waste is generated and stored on campus awaiting off-site disposal. These requirements, including RIT internal practices, are listed below. In order to ensure compliance with these requirements, applicable RIT personnel are trained on an annual basis.

• All RIT departments that generate hazardous waste on an ongoing basis must designate a "hazardous waste satellite accumulation area". Each designated area must be posted with a "Satellite Accumulation Areas" sign. This allows hazardous waste to be stored at the location at which it is generated for a period of time prior to being transferred to an RIT 90-Day hazardous waste storage vault.
• Satellite accumulation areas (SAAs) must be at or near the point of generation. RIT interprets this to mean in the same room. Up to 55-gallons of hazardous waste can be stored at each SAA before it must be taken to a 90-day hazardous waste vault. It is RIT practice to remove a hazardous waste container from a SAA once it becomes full (i.e. 1 gallon containers). All hazardous waste containers must be labeled with the words "Hazardous Waste" and must include the contents of each container on the label. The RIT EH&S Department has developed a label to be used for hazardous waste containers, which is accessible through the "Links" module below.
• Where multiple compatible chemicals are placed in a single container (i.e. laboratory experiments), RIT has developed a content sheet where this information can be listed. The hazardous waste container will always be accompanied by a content sheet and each will have a corresponding control number. The RIT EH&S Department has developed a content sheet to be used for hazardous waste containers, which is accessible through the "Links" module below.
• All containers must be date labeled: once 55-gallons of hazardous waste are reached at an SAA; and once a container is placed in a RIT 90-day hazardous waste storage vault.
• Hazardous waste must be stored in containers that are structurally sound, adequate to prevent spillage, and compatible with the contents.
• Hazardous waste containers and packages must remain closed, unless adding or removing waste, and must lack evidence of leakage, spillage or damage that could cause leakage under reasonably foreseeable conditions.
• RIT does not allow for neutralization or dilution of waste as a means of relief from hazardous waste regulations.
• If there are any questions as to whether a waste is hazardous, please contact the EH&S Department.

Wondering if your waste is Hazardous?

RIT requires employees and student whose responsibilities include hazardous waste management to undergo hazardous waste training. This training is designed to ensure that appropriate people understand the proper way to manage hazardous waste and also to ensure that these people are able to respond effectively to emergencies.

This training must be taken within six (6) months of a job assignment that includes hazardous waste management and must be reviewed on an annual basis.  An RIT hazardous waste training presentation is provided by the EH&S Department through RIT's Talent Roadmap.

If you have any questions, please contact RIT's Environmental Programs Manager.