Chemical and Hazardous Waste Management
Ensuring the safe and compliant management of hazardous waste.
Tamela Greeley
Federal and state regulations—including 25 Pa. Code Chapters 260–262 and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations at 40 CFR Parts 260–262—require Penn State to properly identify, manage, and dispose of hazardous waste. These regulations help protect people, facilities, and the environment by ensuring hazardous materials are handled safely and responsibly.
The Chemical and Hazardous Waste Management Program helps the Penn State community meet these regulatory requirements by providing clear guidance for managing reaction byproducts, surplus and waste chemicals, and contaminated materials. Proper waste handling reduces personal exposure risks and prevents environmental contamination—and every employee plays a role in maintaining compliance.
To support the wide range of University activities, EHS administers two coordinated waste management programs. The Laboratory Waste Management Plan establishes requirements for laboratory and research personnel, while the Chemical Waste Management Plan applies to non‑laboratory University operations. Together, these programs ensure consistent, compliant chemical waste management at all Penn State locations.
Program Applicability
The Chemical Waste Management Plan applies to University employees, technicians, and contractors who generate, handle, or supervise the handling of hazardous waste as part of their work duties.
Examples of hazardous waste include, but are not limited to:
- Corrosive, flammable, reactive, or toxic chemicals
- Oil‑based paint, gasoline, ethanol, and muriatic acid
- Pesticides
- Universal wastes
This program covers non‑laboratory operations that generate hazardous waste, including groups within:
- Physical Plant
- Auxiliary and Business Services
- Intercollegiate Athletics
- University Police and Public Safety
- Campus Maintenance Operations
- University Health Services
- Other applicable University units
Laboratory and research activities must follow the Laboratory Waste Management Program, which establishes separate requirements for unwanted materials generated in academic and research laboratories.
Program Requirements
Chemical Waste Management Plan for non-academic units complete a hazardous waste determination for all chemical waste at the time of generation, or verify that a current determination is on file with EHS. Dispose of all hazardous and universal waste through EHS.
Responsibilities
PI's and Supervisors are responsible for the following:
- Identify personnel who generate or handle chemical or hazardous waste.
- Ensure required training is completed.
- Designate a primary and backup responsible person for each Satellite Accumulation Area (SAA).
- Provide required personal protective equipment (PPE) and ensure it is used.
Training
For non-academic units, complete EHS Chemical Waste Management Training upon assignment and annually thereafter, as required.
For academic units, complete EHS Initial Laboratory Research and Safety Training for University Park or Initial Laboratory Research and Safety Training for Non University Park locations.
Hazardous waste storage, Satellite Accumulation Areas (SAA)
Manage hazardous waste in SAAs as follows:
- Use DOT‑rated, compatible, closeable containers.
- Vapor‑seal liquid containers.
- Complete EHS‑supplied orange waste tags (non‑research) and label containers correctly.
- Store containers in secondary containment.
- Post required SAA signage at the accumulation location.
- Conduct and document weekly inspections.
- Do not exceed:
- 55 gallons of hazardous waste (excluding non‑hazardous waste), or
- 1 quart of acutely hazardous waste.
Waste pickup and disposal
- Submit waste pickup requests using the Waste Disposal page.
- Review waste disposal requirements on the Waste Disposal page.
- Conduct an annual review of your waste management program.
- Access chemical and hazardous waste management forms on via SharePoint link.
Records and documentation
- Retain Weekly Inspection Forms for three years in either the CWMP Chemical Waste Management Plan binder or Laboratory & Research Binder (lab)
- Access the Weekly Inspection Form(s) on SharePoint
- At non‑University Park locations, maintain hazardous waste manifest records at a central location and send all copies via EHS Regional Coordinator.
Documents and Forms
Academic Unit Program:
- Laboratory Waste Management Plan Program Manual
Procedural
- Remove Waste labeling guidance from “procedural” under this program
Forms
- Remove Chemical Waste Management Program Self-Audit Form
- Remove New Waste Stream Identification Form
- Transportation of chemicals needs separated from Research equipment clearance form – These are separate documents
- Add Subpart K Satellite Accumulation Area Sign
- Add Satellite Accumulation Area Weekly Inspection Form
Non-Academic Unit Program:
- Chemical Waste Management Plan Program Manual
Procedural
- Remove Disposal of DEA Controlled Substances
Forms
- Add Attachment A – Waste Labeling Guidance UPPS 2025
- Add Attachment C – SAA sign UPPS 205
- Add Attachment D – SAA Weekly Inspection Form UPPS 2025
- Add Attachment F – Lamps & Ballast Guide
- Add Attachment G – Battery Guide
- Remove Research equipment clearance form
To dispose of chemical waste, submit your chemical waste request in LionSafe.
Training and resources are available on the LionSafe webpage.
Program-Specific Information
Waste Management for Non-Academic Areas
This plan covers groups generating waste from the Office of Physical Plant, Auxiliary and Business Services, Intercollegiate Athletics, University Police and Public Safety, Campus Maintenance Operations, and University Health Services, among others. The Chemical and Waste Management Plan defines the management of all regulated chemical waste materials generated in areas covered under this plan within the premises of all Penn State locations.
Chemical Waste Management Plan - program requirements for non-academic areas of the University available on SharePoint:
- Chemical Waste Management Plan
- Chemical Container Disposal/Recycling - under revision
- Aerosol Can Disposal
List of Available Forms
- Chemical Waste Management Plan program requirements:
- Waste Labeling Guidance
- New Waste Stream ID Form
- Satellite Accumulation Area Sign
- Satellite Accumulation Area Weekly Inspection Form
- Annual Self-Audit
- Lamp & Ballast Guide
- Battery Guide
Waste Management for Academic Laboratories
The Laboratory Waste Management Plan for chemical waste generated in laboratory and research areas, art studios, and areas that directly support research. This plan outlines the requirements for the management and disposal of chemicals by all laboratory and research personnel.
Laboratory Waste Management Plan - program requirements for University laboratory and research personnel:
- Laboratory Waste Management Plan
- Controlled Substance Disposal
List of Available Forms
- Satellite Accumulation Area Sign
- Satellite Accumulation Area Weekly Inspection Form
- Laboratory/Research Equipment Clearance Form
Universal Waste Management
Universal Waste Management - program requirements for all University areas.
- SY31, Lamp Use and Disposal Penn State Policy
- Battery Disposal(Battery Management Guidance)
- Lamps (Fluorescent Light Tube) and Ballast Disposal (Lamp and Ballast Management Guidance)
Lion Surplus
These documents are available on SharePoint.
- Procedures for the Proper Disposition of Equipment and Materials Through Lion Surplus
- Laboratory/Research Equipment Clearance Form