Hazardous Waste Management (Environmental Management)

Applies to: Faculty (including part-time, adjunct and visiting faculty), postdoctoral scholars, staff and students (including graduate/undergraduate student workers and graduate assistants) employed by University of Southern California (“USC“ or the “University“) and including those working for Keck Medicine of USC (“USC Employees”). This policy continues to apply to individuals who are on sabbatical or other leaves, or who are visiting other institutions.

1. Hazardous Waste Management (Environmental Management)

Issued: March 15, 2004
Last Revised: March 15, 2004
Last Reviewed: November 19, 2024                                                          

2. Policy Purpose

·     To protect the health and safety of USC faculty, staff, students and visitors through safe handling and disposal of chemical, infectious, and radioactive wastes, while fostering a strong safety culture that emphasizes shared responsibility and proactive risk management;

·     To explore new technologies to reduce costs of hazardous waste disposal, in alignment with a culture of sustainability and safety consciousness; and

·     To help ensure that hazardous wastes are disposed of in accordance with all applicable governmental regulations (e.g., 40 Code of Federal Regulations, Health and Safety Codes, and 22 California Code of Regulations, etc.), reinforcing USC’s commitment to compliance and a culture of safety excellence. 

3. Scope and Application

This policy applies to all USC schools, departments, personnel, and operations located on university-owned or leased property, and/or University-sponsored activities taking place in off-site locations. 

4. Definitions

TermDefinition
Hazardous WasteA substance (i.e., solid, liquid, gas or sludge), or material (i.e., biological, chemical or radioactive) that can be dangerous or harmful to the environment or human health. 
 
It can be identified by its characteristics or by being listed as hazardous in regulations.  Characteristics that define hazardous waste include: Ignitability, Corrosivity, Reactivity and Toxicity. 
 
For more information, refer to the Hazardous Waste Management Manual.  
Chemical WasteSee: https://ehs.usc.edu/hazmat/waste/chem/ 
Biomedical WasteSee: https://ehs.usc.edu/hazmat/waste/bio/
Radioactive WasteSee: https://ehs.usc.edu/hazmat/waste/rad/
Universal WasteSee: https://ehs.usc.edu/hazmat/waste/universal/
GeneratorAny person, by site, whose act or process produces hazardous waste

5. Policy Details

Schools, departments, and individuals who engage in activities that generate hazardous waste, and/or chemical, biological or radioactive wastes are responsible for collecting, labeling and temporarily staging the waste in accordance with all applicable government regulations and university policies and procedures. USC Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) is responsible for collecting and disposing of hazardous wastes. 

Additionally, schools, departments, and individuals using chemicals and/or other hazardous materials are required to implement appropriate waste minimization techniques that result in (a) the reduction of total volume or quantity of hazardous waste, and/or (b) the reduction of toxicity of the hazardous waste. EH&S will assist departments and units in developing and reviewing waste minimization techniques. Generators who do not show a reduction in waste volume will be given additional training in waste minimization techniques and may be subject to additional disposal costs. 

In no case may hazardous chemical, biological, or radioactive waste be disposed of through municipal solid waste, sanitary sewers, or industrial wastewater streams. 

For additional information, please visit the EH&S website or contact EH&S at (323) 442-2200, EHS@usc.edu.

6. Procedures

In all cases, hazardous waste must be properly collected, labeled, and appropriately staged. When these requirements have been completed, an EH&S Technician will remove the waste and assume responsibility for disposal. Waste is collected in accordance with regular pick-up schedules, or within 3- 5 days of any request received by EH&S during normal business hours

Please see the following links for additional information on hazardous waste management procedures:

Hazardous Waste FAQs

Hazardous Materials & Waste Management Overview

Hazardous Waste Management Manual

Biomedical Waste Management Plan

Radiation Safety Manual

7. Forms

Hazardous Waste Pickup Request

Universal Waste Pickup Request Form

Request Waste Supplies

8. Responsibilities

POSITION or OFFICERESPONSIBILITIES
EH&SProvides guidance, recommendations, and training on what constitutes hazardous waste, and acceptable waste handling and disposal practices. Facilitates the collection and disposal of hazardous waste
Principal Investigators, Department Leaders, Directors, Managers, and Supervisors (persons with ultimate authority for a department and/or project(s) generating hazardous waste)Determines which chemical, biological and radioactive wastes are potentially hazardous and institutes procedures to manage them according to all regulatory and University requirements. Coordinates with EH&S to facilitate appropriate waste collection and disposal. Implements waste mitigation strategies and techniques whenever possible. 

9. Related Information

USC EH&S

Environmental Compliance Programs

Hazardous Materials & Waste Management Program

Hazardous Materials / Environmental Compliance Guidance / Fact Sheets

Hazardous Waste Management Manual

10. Contacts

Please direct any questions regarding this policy to:

OFFICEPHONEEMAIL
USC EH&S(323) 442-2200EHS@usc.edu

11. Policy URL

https://policy.usc.edu/hazardous-waste-management-environmental-management/