What is hazardous waste?
- Chemicals (room 0114)
- 'Risk waste': Blood, cells, viruses and bacteria, sharp or pointed objects (room 0116)
- Biological waste: Dead experimental animals, etc. (room 0116 / freezer room in the waste area)
- Radioactive waste (room 0115)
Chemicals
The safety data sheet will tell you whether your waste is to be classified as hazardous waste. In addition it will provide information about the necessary protective equipment and about any protective devices that must be used. Information on chemicals can also be found at www.ecoonline.no.
All waste must be packaged and labelled properly. If possible, use the original packaging if this is suitable. Containers must be in good condition, and caps must be screwed on well. Avoid using packaging material that can be confused with household products – for example coffee jars, soft-drink bottles and the like.
The university purchases plastic cans for hazardous waste, labels for marking waste, and polystyrene boxes that can be used to protect glass bottles against impact. These are kept in the waste area in the basement. If you can not find any available or have any other questions, please contact the HSE coordinator.
Each substance/substance compound must be clearly labelled with:
- contents (name of chemical and approximate composition). If the contents are not known, the container must be labelled “Content not known".
- date
- name, department and telephone number
Placement
Chemical waste, used oil and batteries must be placed in Room 0114 in the basement of Domus Medica.
Volatile substances must be place in the innermost part of the waste room with suction removal. The waste must be put on the shelves, away from the floor.
Explosive chemicals must not be put in this room. Contact the HSE Coordinator for the disposal of explosives.
The room must be kept locked at all times.
Risk- and biological waste
When handling 'risk waste', adequate protective equipment and, if relevant, protective devices must be used. Read the safety data sheet for information.
'Risk waste' and biological waste can include:
- Biological material
- Sharps and cutting equipment
- Substances that may be carcinogenic/mutagenic
- Cytostatics etc.
All waste must be packaged and labelled properly. 'Risk waste' is packaged in yellow plastic containers and labelled with a completed declaration form for risk waste. Yellow plastic containers with declaration forms are available in the waste department in the basement. If you can not find any available or have any other questions, please contact the HSE coordinator.
Placement
Yellow toxic waste containers must be placed in the basement of Domus Medica, room number 0116. The room must be kept locked at all times.
Radioactive waste
When handling radioactive waste, adequate protective equipment and if relevant protective devices must be used, such as closed hoods. Please read the safety data sheet for more information. All radioactive waste needs to be clearly marked with a label for radioactive waste. These are available in the waste department. If you can not find any available or have any other questions, please contact the HSE coordinator.
Radioactive waste, which is also 'risk waste' and biological waste, must also be packed into yellow plastic containers and be marked with a label for radioactive waste. This also applies to waste that has previously been radioactive but that has become inactive. Please use bequerel as a unit for activity.
All radioactive waste must be logged when it is placed in the waste room. The log is kept inside of room 0115. If you have any problems using the log you are required to notify the HSE coordinator.
All use of radioactive material and generation of waste must be reported to your local radiation protection coordinator.
Placement
The waste must be placed in the basement of Domus Medica, Room 0115. The room must be kept locked at all times.
What do we do with our hazardous waste?
Hazardous waste is being kept in appropriate locations at the University units. It is collected by approved renovation companies with which we have contracts, and is transported to destruction facilities.