- Owner
- EHS Coordinator
- Effective date
- September 15, 2026
- Review cycle
- Every 12 months
1.Purpose
To make sure laboratory waste is segregated by stream, stored safely in the accumulation area, and picked up by a licensed hauler with complete manifests.
2.Scope
Applies to chemical, biohazard, sharps and general waste generated during laboratory work. Cleanup of an unplanned chemical release is covered by the chemical spill response SOP.
Definitions
- Waste stream
- A category of waste, such as chemical, biohazard, sharps or general, that must be segregated and disposed of by its own method.
- Accumulation area
- The designated space where waste containers are stored before pickup by a licensed hauler.
- Manifest
- The document tracking waste from generation through transport to final disposal.
3.Responsibilities
- Lab Technician
- Segregates and labels waste at the point of generation and moves full containers to the accumulation area.
- EHS Coordinator
- Manages the accumulation area, completes manifests and arranges hauler pickups.
- Laboratory Manager
- Approves waste vendor contracts and reviews accumulation area inspections.
- Waste Hauler
- Collects waste containers, provides transport documentation and delivers to the disposal facility.
RACI matrix
| Activity | Lab Technician | EHS Coordinator | Laboratory Manager | Waste Hauler |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Segregate waste at the point of generation | R/A | I | - | - |
| Move full containers to the accumulation area | R/A | C | - | - |
| Complete waste manifest | I | R/A | I | C |
| Inspect the accumulation area weekly | I | R/A | I | - |
| Arrange and confirm hauler pickup | - | R/A | C | R |
R = Responsible, A = Accountable, C = Consulted, I = Informed
4.Materials and PPE
Materials, tools and systems
- →Color-coded, stream-specific waste containers
- →Chemical and biohazard waste labels
- →Sharps containers
- →Waste accumulation area with secondary containment
- →Waste tracking manifest forms
- →Scale for weighing waste containers
Personal protective equipment
- →Disposable nitrile gloves
- →Lab coat
- →Safety glasses
5.Procedure
- 5.1
Identify the correct waste stream
Lab TechnicianAt the point of generation, identify whether the waste is chemical, biohazard, sharps or general, using the SDS or protocol as a guide.
- 5.2
Use the matching container
Lab TechnicianPlace the waste only into the container designated for that stream, checking that the container material is compatible with the waste's chemical properties.
Warning: Never mix incompatible chemical wastes, such as acids with oxidizers, in the same container.
- 5.3
Label the container immediately
Lab TechnicianLabel each waste container with the contents, hazard class and the date waste accumulation started, as soon as the first waste is added.
- 5.4
Keep containers closed
Lab TechnicianKeep waste containers closed except when actively adding waste, and check that lids seal properly after each addition.
- 5.5
Check fill level
Lab TechnicianStop adding waste once a container reaches about three-quarters full to leave headspace and prevent overflow during transport.
Checkpoint: No waste container in active use is filled beyond three-quarters capacity.
- 5.6
Move full containers to the accumulation area
Lab TechnicianSeal a full container and move it to the designated accumulation area, placing it in the correct segregated section with secondary containment.
- 5.7
Log the container into the accumulation area
EHS CoordinatorRecord the container's contents, quantity, generation date and location in the accumulation area log.
- 5.8
Complete the waste manifest
EHS CoordinatorPrepare the manifest with waste description, quantity, hazard classification and generator information before pickup by the licensed hauler.
- 5.9
Arrange hauler pickup
EHS CoordinatorSchedule pickup with the licensed waste hauler before any accumulation time limit is reached, and confirm the vehicle and paperwork on arrival.
- 5.10
Retain signed manifest copies
EHS CoordinatorCollect the signed manifest copy from the hauler at pickup and file it with the waste records for the retention period required.
- 5.11
Inspect the accumulation area
EHS CoordinatorWalk through the accumulation area weekly, checking for leaks, unlabeled containers, overfilled containers and blocked access.
- 5.12
Train staff on segregation
Laboratory ManagerProvide waste segregation training to new staff during onboarding and refresh existing staff annually or after a segregation incident.
6.Quality checks
- →Every waste container is labeled with contents and accumulation start date.
- →No waste container exceeds the three-quarters fill level.
- →Manifests are signed and filed for every pickup.
- →Accumulation area inspections show no leaks or unlabeled containers.
7.Records
- →Accumulation area log
- →Waste manifests
- →Weekly accumulation area inspection checklist
- →Staff waste segregation training records
8.KPIs
- →Number of waste segregation errors found per month
- →Percentage of containers picked up before the accumulation time limit
- →Number of overfilled or unlabeled containers found on inspection
- →Waste disposal cost per month by stream
9.Common mistakes
- →Mixing incompatible chemical wastes in the same container.
- →Leaving a waste container unlabeled until it is full.
- →Letting a waste container sit open between additions.
- →Missing the accumulation time limit before pickup is arranged.
10.Revision history
| Revision | Date | Description | Reviewed by |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | September 15, 2026 | Initial release | Ilia Pirozhenko |
This is a template. Adapt it to your organization, equipment and local regulations before use.
