Hazardous Waste

Determination Flowchart

Department of Environmental Health & Safety

Hazardous Waste Management

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 Master Flowchart
START HERE

Is your material a WASTE?

Refer to: Waste Definition
YES
Is your waste a SPECIAL WASTE?
Refer to: Special Waste
NO

Is your waste REACTIVE?

Refer to: Reactivity
NO

Is your waste CORROSIVE?

NO YES
Refer to: Corrosives YES
NO Your waste is:
Is your waste IGNITABLE? YES HAZARDOUS WASTE
Refer to: Ignitability Contact EH&S @ 2-6410
YES
NO for proper disposal
Your waste is NOT a NO
Hazardous Waste? Is your waste an OXIDIZER? YES
Refer to: Oxidizing
NO

Physical Is your waste TOXIC?

LIQUID State Refer to: Toxicity
SOLID
NO

Is your waste a Medical Waste?

Consider your waste
Refer to: Medical Waste
HAZARDOUS and have a
NO
Deface container
Waste Determination
Continue to: STOP completed.
label. Dispose
Drain Disposal YES
in regular trash Still think your waste might be HAZARDOUS? Contact: EH&S @ 2-6410
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 Waste Definition

START

Can the material be used YES Give the material to another

by someone else? authorized laboratory or user.

NO

Is the material:
Intended to be discarded ( i.e. the material
is “abandoned,” “recycled” or inherently NO If your material is not a WASTE,
“waste-like”) EPA views old chemicals that
have not been used in years and which are
then it is not a Hazardous Waste.
unlikely to be used in the foreseeable future
as waste.

YES

Material meets the definition of WASTE

Continue on Master Flowchart

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 Special Waste
START HERE

YES Refer to:

Is your waste RADIOACTIVE?
Radioactive Waste Flowchart
or
YES Refer to:
Is your waste PAINT?
Paint Waste Flowchart
or
YES Refer to:
Does your waste contain ASBESTOS?
Asbestos Waste Flowchart
or
YES Refer to:
Is your waste a GAS CYLINDER or AEROSOL CAN?
Compressed Gas Cylinders & Aerosols Flowchart
or
YES Refer to:
Is your waste an EMPTY CONTAINER?
Empty Container Flowchart
or
YES Refer to:
Is your waste a METAL?
Scrap Metal Flowchart
or
YES Refer to:
Is your waste a PHOTOGRAPHIC CHEMICAL?
Photographic Chemicals Flowchart
or
YES Refer to:
Is your waste an OIL or ANTIFREEZE?
Waste Oil & Antifreeze Flowchart
or
YES Refer to:
Is your waste a BATTERY? (i.e., NiCd, Lead Acid, etc.)
Used Batteries Flowchart
NO

Material is NOT a SPECIAL WASTE. 4

Continue on Master Flowchart.
 Radioactive Waste
START HERE

Is this symbol (with or without wording):

displayed on the
waste or waste
container?
YES
or

Does the waste contain any: Your waste is a

RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL? RADIOACTIVE WASTE.
YES
Does the waste contain any isotope of an
element that undergoes nuclear Contact EH&S @ 2-6410
transformations emitting a form of radiation? For further assistance
YES
or
Does the waste contain any:
URANIUM or THORIUM COMPOUNDS?
(i.e., uranium dicarbide, uranium dioxide, uranium hexafluoride,
uranium hydride, uranium monocarbide, uranium tetrafluoride,
uranocene, Uranyl acetate, uranyl nitrate or thorium
acetylacetonate, thorium carbide, thorium chloride,
thorium dioxide, thorium disulfide, thorium fluoride,
thorium nitrate, thorium oxalate, thorium sulfate)
or
Your waste MAY BE a
Is the waste a: RADIOACTIVE WASTE.
YES
Self-Illuminated Exit Sign? Smoke Detector?
Electron Capture Detector (ECD) or Static Eliminator? Contact EH&S @ 2-6410
For further assistance
NO
Your waste is NOT a RADIOACTIVE WASTE.
Continue on Special Wastes Flowchart.
If you believe you still have a radioactive waste,
contact EH&S @ 2-6410. 5
 Paint Waste
START HERE

Is the waste:
Paint Related Waste?
NO Continue on
(including Latex Paint, Oil Based Paint,
Special Wastes Flowchart
Lacquer Based Paint, Paint Solvents and
Thinners)

YES

Type of Oil Based Paint

Latex Paint Paint Related Lacquer Based Paint
Waste Paint Solvents & Thinners

Your waste is a:
There are alternative disposal HAZARDOUS WASTE
options for latex paint. Contact EH&S @ 2-6410
Please contact EH&S @ 2-6410 to schedule a pickup.
for further information.
Please note that Air Quality Regulations do
NOT allow us to dry-out oil based paints or
solvents for the purpose of disposal.

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 Asbestos Waste
START HERE

Does the waste:

Contain > 1% Asbestos?

Examples of Materials Commonly

Containing Asbestos (but not limited to):
• Sheet Rock Taping and Joint Compound
• Fire Door Core Material
Your waste is a:
• Roofing Felt
• Floor Tile and Mastic YES HAZARDOUS WASTE
• Transite Sheets (Cementious Panels) Contact EH&S @ 2-6410
• Sprayed-on Ceiling Materials to schedule a pickup
• Boiler Insulation
• Pipe Insulation
• Brake Pads
• Clutch Pads
• Gaskets
• Electrical Wire Insulation
• Thermal Insulation on Electrical Appliances

NO

Continue on Special Wastes Flowchart

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 Compressed Gas Cylinders & Aerosols
START HERE

Is the waste: YES

An aerosol container?

Is the container: Your waste is a:

Completely emptied of the contents to the HAZARDOUS WASTE
NO
maximum extent practical under normal use
(which is atmospheric pressure) (i.e., Contact EH&S @ 2-6410
the spray mechanism is not defective)? to schedule a pickup

YES
NO
Did the container: Your aerosol
YES container even if
Formerly contain an Hazardous Waste?
(refer to P-Listed Wastes)
Or completely empty is a:
Don’t HAZARDOUS WASTE
Know
NO Contact EH&S @2-6410
Dispose of in regular trash to schedule a pickup

Is the waste a:
Compressed gas cylinder or a single use Contact the Supplier or Manufacturer and
YES arrange to have the compressed gas cylinder
propane canister?
(including gas cylinders, lecture bottles or returned to them for proper disposal.
refillable LPG canisters) If not returned to the Supplier or Manufacturer,
your waste is a:
NO
HAZARDOUS WASTE
Continue on Special Wastes Flowchart Contact EH&S @2-6410 to schedule a pickup.
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 Empty Containers
START HERE

Is the waste:
NO
An “empty” container that formerly contained a Continue on Special Wastes Flowchart
hazardous material?
YES
Does the waste:
Meet the definition of EMPTY?
For containers that held a pourable hazardous material…
No further material can be poured or drained from the
container when it is held in any orientation.
For containers that held a non-pourable hazardous material…
No hazardous material remains in the container that NO
can be removed by physical methods.
YES Your waste container, even if
Did the empty container: completely empty, is a:
YES
Formerly contain a material that had an oral LD50 < 50 mg/kg? HAZARDOUS WASTE
(refer to the Toxicity section on Material Safety Data Sheet) Contact EH&S @ 2-6410
NO
to schedule a pickup
Did the empty container: YES or
Formerly contain an Extremely Hazardous Waste? DON’T
KNOW
(refer to P-Listed Waste)
NO
■ All containers must be triple rinsed before disposal. If the container
held a strong-smelling material, rinse with an appropriate solvent. If
the cleaning solvent is a hazardous material, collect & dispose of as
a hazardous waste.
■ Deface label and mark “triple rinsed”.
■ Recycle glass, bottles and cans where possible.
■ Under no circumstances may a container labeled with the
international radioactive symbol or with the words “Hazardous
Waste” be disposed of in the regular trash. 9
 Scrap Metal

START HERE

Is the waste: NO
A solid metal?
YES

Is the metal: Your waste can’t be recycled as Scrap Metal.

Aluminum, Continue on Special Wastes Flowchart.
Copper,
Iron,
Lead,
Steel, or NO
Zinc?

YES

When you have accumulated

more than 5 pounds of material,
Contact EH&S @ 2-6410
to schedule a pickup.

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 Photographic Chemicals
START HERE

Is the waste: NO
A chemical product used for photography?
Continue on Special Wastes Flowchart

YES Unused photographic chemicals may be a:

HAZARDOUS WASTE.
NO Refer to the Corrosives Flowchart and
Has the photographic chemical been used?
Toxicity Flowchart or
Contact EH&S @ 2-6410 for assistance.
YES

Is the waste: Your waste should be recycled in the

YES
Fixer, Bleach-Fixer (Blix), Color Developer, silver recovery units.
or Color Stabilizer? Contact EH&S @ 2-6410 for assistance.

NO Your waste is a:
Is the waste: YES HAZARDOUS WASTE
Selenium Toner or Sepia Toner? Contact EH&S @ 2-6410
NO to schedule a pickup.

Is the waste: YES

Contact EH&S @ 2-6410 to discuss disposal.
Stop Bath or Hypo Cleaning Agent?
NO

Contact EH&S @ 2-6410 to assist

with the proper disposal of your
photographic chemicals.
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 START HERE
Waste Oil & Antifreeze
Is the waste:
an Oil or Antifreeze?
NO
YES
Is your waste:
• Motor Oil Continue on Special Wastes Flowchart
• Automatic Transmission Fluid
• Power Steering Fluid
• Diesel Fuel
• Gear Oil YES
• Turbine Engine Oil
• Hydraulic Oil
• Fuel Oil
• Kerosene (#3, #4, & #6) Your waste should be recycled .
Oils can NOT be disposed down the drain Contact EH&S @ 2-6410 for assistance
(even if they are not hazardous waste).
NO
Is your waste?
• Ethylene Glycol based Antifreeze YES
• Coolant from Chillers / HVAC systems
• Propylene Glycol based Antifreeze (freeze protection > 0o F)
NO
Is your waste?
• Any type of oil contaminated with a hazardous chemical
• Chlorinated Solvents
• Metal working fluids
• Degreasing solvents Your waste is a:
• Freon and Freon contaminated refrigeration oil YES
• Naptha HAZARDOUS WASTE
• Transformer Oil Contact EH&S @ 2-6410
• Brake Fluid to schedule a pickup
• Radiator Flush
• Deicers
• Oily Water 12
• Antifreeze with a freeze protection above 0o F
 Used Batteries
START HERE

NO
Is the waste: A Battery? Continue on Special Wastes Flowchart
YES
Is your waste (not leaking/damaged)?
• Lead Acid Batteries
Your batteries should be recycled according
• Ni-Cd Rechargeable Batteries YES
to the universal waste regulations.
• Lithium Batteries
Contact EH&S @2-6410 for assistance.
• Mercuric Oxide Batteries
• Silver Oxide Batteries
NO
Is your waste (leaking/damaged)?
• Lead Acid Batteries Your waste is a:
• Ni-Cd Rechargeable Batteries YES HAZARDOUS WASTE
• Lithium Batteries
Contact EH&S @ 2-6410
• Mercuric Oxide Batteries
to schedule a pickup
• Silver Oxide Batteries
NO

Is your waste: Alkaline Battery

YES
These are non-hazardous and can be
placed in the regular trash, however, in an
effort to become environmentally friendly
you may choose to collect these batteries in
a 1-gallon container for recycling purposes.
Contact EH&S @ 2-6410 to obtain
containers and schedule pickups. 13
 Reactivity
START HERE

Does the waste:

React violently with water, or form potentially
explosive mixtures with water?
NO
YES
Does the waste:
Create toxic gases when in contact with water?
YES
NO
Does the waste:
React violently when exposed to air or form YES
HAZARDOUS CLASS
potentially explosive mixtures with air? REACTIVE
NO YES Contact EH&S @2-6410
Does the waste: for assistance.
Create toxic gases when exposed to air? YES
NO
Is the waste: YES
Unstable (readily undergoes violent change with or
without detonating or exploding?
NO
Is the waste:
A potential peroxide former that has either exceeded
its open or shelf time limits or is stored in an
undated container
NO

Material does NOT meet the definition of REACTIVE.

Continue on Master Flowchart 14
 Corrosives
START HERE

Physical State
Aqueous Non-Aqueous or
of
Liquid Waste Waste Non-Liquid Waste

HAZARD CLASS When mixed with an equivalent

Waste has:
YES weight of water, the waste:
A pH less than CORROSIVE ACID YES
Produces a solution having
or equal to 2 Contact EH&S @2-6410 a pH less than or equal to 2
(pH ≤ 2) for assistance (pH ≤ 2)
NO NO
Waste has: HAZARD CLASS When mixed with an equivalent
A pH greater weight of water, the waste:
YES CORROSIVE BASE YES
than or equal Produces a solution having
to 12.5 Contact EH&S @2-6410 a pH greater than or equal to
(pH ≥ 12.5) for assistance 12.5 (pH ≥ 12.5)

NO NO

Waste has:
YES NO
The ability to cause destruction of living
tissue or steel surfaces by chemical action

HAZARD CLASS
CORROSIVE Material does NOT meet the definition of CORROSIVE
Contact EH&S @2-6410 Continue on Master Flowchart
for assistance
15
 Ignitability
START HERE

Physical State
LIQUID of SOLID
Waste

Is the flash point of

the waste
(or any single phase if
multi-phase) YES Is the waste:
≤140oF (≤60oC)? HAZARD CLASS
Capable of causing fire
IGNITABLE YES
through friction, moisture
Contact EH&S @2-6410 absorption, or spontaneous
NO
for assistance chemical change?
Is the waste: YES
An aqueous solution
containing ≥24%
alcohol?

NO Material does NOT meet the definition of IGNITABLE. NO

Continue on Master Flowchart

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 Oxidizing
START HERE

Does the waste:

Release oxygen when reacting with another chemical?
YES
NO
HAZARD CLASS
Does the waste:
OXIDIZER
React with organic materials (i.e., oils, greases, solvents, paper,
YES Contact EH&S @2-6410
cloth, wood, etc.) resulting in fire or the generation of heat?
for assistance
NO
Is the waste: YES
A member of one of the common oxidizer categories listed below?
or
An aqueous solution of any of the common categories listed below
which exhibits any of the oxidizing properties stated above?
NO

Material does NOT meet the definition of OXIDIZER

Continue on Master Flowchart

Examples:

SOLIDS
• Bismuthates • Dichromates • Iodates • Periodic acid
• Bromates • Ferric sulfate • Iodine • Permanganates
• Chlorates • Ferric chloride • Manganese dioxide • Permangic acid
• Chlorites • Ferric trioxide • Nitrates
• Peroxides
• Chromates • Ferriccyanides • Perborates
• Perchlorates
• Persulfates
• Chromium trioxide • Hypochlorites

LIQUIDS

• Bromine • Hydrogen peroxide • Perchloric acid (pH > 2)* • Sulfuric acid (pH > 2)*
• Chromic acid (pH > 2)* • Nitric acid (pH > 2)*

* Oxidizing mixtures having a pH £ 2 are classified as corrosive.

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 Toxicity
START HERE

Toxic Hazardous Waste

■Waste displays the toxicity characteristic if it exceeds certain Arsenic 5.0 ppm D004
concentration levels using specified test methods. Barium 100 ppm D005
■The toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) is the Benzene 0.5 ppm D018
specified test method for determining if a waste is a toxic Cadmium 1.0 ppm D006
hazardous waste. Chloroform 6.0 ppm D022
Chromium 5.0 ppm D007
The TCLP simulates the conditions in a landfill and then
Lead 5.0 ppm D008
analyzes the concentrations of specifically listed chemicals Mercury 0.2 ppm D009
and heavy metals that could potentially leach into the Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) 200 ppm D035
Selenium 1.0 ppm D010
groundwater.
Silver 5.0 ppm D011
Examples of the most common toxic materials, their Tetrachloroethylene 0.7 ppm D039
regulatory limits, and their corresponding waste codes are Trichloroethylene 0.5 ppm D040
listed right. Vinyl Chloride 0.2 ppm D043
Chloroform 6.0 ppm D022

NOTE: The 8 compounds that appear in boldface

are referred to as the “RCRA 8 metals” and are
Material does NOT meet the definition of TOXICITY. among the most common toxic wastes generated
Continue on Master Flowchart at Stony Brook.

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 START HERE Medical Waste
Is the waste:
A fluid blood or blood product?
NO
Is the waste:
A cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, pleural fluid, pericardial fluid, peritoneal fluid, YES
amniotic fluid, saliva in dental procedures, any body fluid visibly contaminated with
blood, biological materials in labs (etiologic), unfixed human tissue or organ?
NO YES
Is the waste:
A culture of an agent infectious to humans?
NO YES
Is the waste:
Generated from the treatment or immunization of animals or humans? YES
NO Your Waste is a
Is the waste: YES Regulated Medical Waste.
Generated by research involving live or attenuated pathogenic organisms?
NO
Contact EH&S @ 2-6410
YES
for further assistance
Is the waste:
Used or unused sharps (i.e. hypodermic needle, scalpel, razor blades, pasteur YES
pipettes), or any glass or plastic) contacted with infectious materials?
NO
Is the waste: YES
Generated from work involving recombinant DNA?
NO
YES
Is the waste:
Blood, tissue samples, organs, cadavers from infected experimental animals?
NO
Is the waste:
Chemotherapy Wastes (Wastes with a trace (<15cc) of chemo-waste or
anti-neoplastic agents?
NO

Your waste is NOT a MEDIACL WASTE.

Continue on MASTER FLOWCHART 19
 START HERE Drain Disposal
Is the waste: A Liquid? Waste CANNOT go down the drain.
NO
YES

Does the waste: Waste CANNOT go down the drain.

Contain any Radioactive Material? YES Waste is a RADIOACTIVE waste

NO
Is the waste: Waste CANNOT go down the drain.
Aqueous with only one phase? YES Waste is probably a Hazardous Waste
NO

Does the waste: Waste CANNOT go down the drain.

Contain significant toxics? (alcohols > YES
24%, metals, or other toxics?

NO Waste CANNOT go down the drain.

Waste is a Hazardous Waste.
Does the waste have a:
Cannot neutralize, unless documented
pH ≤ 5 or pH ≥ 12.5 ? YES part of experimental procedure.
NO Contact EH&S @ 2-6410 for approval.

Does the waste have a:

Lab may be able to drain dispose as long as there
pH ≥ 5 and pH ≤ 12.5?
are no heavy metals or other hazardous
(a strong acid or base more dilute than 0.01N) YES
constituents.
Not sure contact EH&S @ 2-6410 for confirmation.

Go back to MASTER FLOWCHART

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 QUESTIONS?
COMMENTS?
CONCERNS?
CALL
THE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND
SAFETY DEPARTMENT
@ 1-631-632-6410

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