Safety & Environmental Protection Service

Chemicals

Many University activities result in the production of waste chemicals. These may include cleaning materials, oils, solvents and other specialist chemicals used in research.  Anyone producing or managing waste chemicals is legally required to take a level of care that is clearly defined, this is known as 'duty of care'. A higher level of care is required if the chemical has the potential to cause harm to people or to the environment. Hazardous waste chemicals are known as Special Waste.

The University has appointed an approved supplier for the disposal of chemical waste. Information on how to obtain a quotation for disposal and a suitable form is available in Quick Links on this page. If you need to dispose of an ‘unknown’ chemical you should use the Unknown Chemical Quotation Form when requesting a quotation of cost for disposal. The less information available about the waste the higher the disposal cost is likely to be and so the purpose of this form is to gather as much information as possible. If you are unsure about safely identifying answers to the questions on the form you should contact the University Chemical Safety Adviser who will provide advice.

It is important to remember that the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) apply to waste chemicals and that the requirements of COSHH should be met when handling or storing them.  Further advice on COSHH and chemical safetycan be obtained from SEPS Chemical Safety Adviser.

Scheduled Chemical Waste Collections (2025)

 

Tradebe will continue to provide chemical waste collections on request but will also visit the University regularly every 28 days to pick up chemical waste allowing us to mitigate the collection costs.  If you would like to have your waste picked up as a part of this collection round please fill in the usual paperwork (see quick links) and submit to Tradebe (uk.mts@tradebe.com) 5 working days before the collection date. 

The collection dates for 2025 are: 

• 7th/8th January 2025
• 4th/5th February 2025
• 4th/5th March 2025
• 1st/2nd April 2025
• 29th/30th April
• 27th/28th May 2025
• 24th/25th June 2025
• 22nd/23rd July 2025
• 19th/20th August 2025
• 16th/17th September 2025
• 14th/15th October 2025
• 11th/12th November 2025
• 9th/10th December 2025

 Chemical Waste Labels 

From March 2024 we request that all liquid chemical waste containers has the below labels affixed prior to collection. These labels will clearly identify the waste and convey the hazard to the contractor and anyone else in the vicinity. 

Printable versions of the labels are available below. Please either print these on adhesive label paper or attach to containers with tape. 

 

Chemical Waste Label (General)

Chemical Waste Label (Halogenated)

Chemical Waste Label (Flammable)

Chemical Waste Label (Formalin)