Hazardous waste and hazardous goods

Waste from laboratory operations must be classified, stored, and labelled so that they may be safely handled. Special requirements are placed on handling of hazardous waste. Sorting should take place at the source, and different hazardous wastes may not be mixed with each other.

For waste management carried out on county council premises, the county council routines – which can be found in the county council's environmental management system – apply. There are clarifying instructions on the University's Intranet as regards waste management on the rest of the University's premises.

Hazardous chemical products

Hazardous chemical products at Umeå University and NUS are to be left at Säkerhetshuset every Friday between 8:00 and 10:00 AM and must be sorted, properly packaged, and labelled, as well as accompanied by a declaration of submitted hazardous chemical waste.

Hazardous chemicals from other hospitals, health centres and national dental health service clinics are retrieved by external conveyors in accordance with Region Västerbotten instructions.

Infectious waste

Infectious waste must be converted to non-infectious waste as early as possible in the waste management process, for example through autoclaving. If infectious waste is converted, it can then be handled as conventional waste, provided that it does not contain hazardous chemicals; it should then be handled as hazardous chemical waste. Infectious waste that is not converted is handled as hazardous waste, and transported as hazardous goods to facilities where incineration of hazardous waste is permitted. Infectious waste from health care must be packaged in a container intended for the purpose, and labelled and placed in a recycling room from which it is later transported away. Infectious waste can be stored for up to 24 hours at room temperature, and for a maximum of 7 days in a cool space without being frozen. Frozen infectious waste can be stored for up to 1 year.

Infectious sharp-edged or pointed waste

Infectious sharp-edged or pointed waste must be converted to non-infectious waste as early as possible in the waste management process, for example through autoclaving. The waste must be packaged in a container intended for the purpose, labelled, and placed in a recycling room from which it is later transported away. Infectious sharp-edged or pointed waste can be stored for a maximum of 3 years at room temperature.

Discarded medicine and cytostatic waste

Discarded medicine and cytostatic waste is packaged in containers intended for the purpose and handled as hazardous waste. The waste is transported as hazardous goods to facilities where incineration of hazardous waste is permitted.

Antibiotic waste

There are special recommendations within Umeå University for getting rid of antibiotics. Among other things, antibiotic substances must not be discharged into drainage.

GMM waste

GMM waste must preferably be destroyed through autoclaving, otherwise it must be taken care of as hazardous waste, and transported as hazardous goods to facilities where incineration of hazardous waste is permitted. Routines for solid waste containing GMM or biological agents

Radioactive waste

Radioactive waste at Umeå University and NUS shall be left at the waste room intended för this. Information, routine and form can be found on the page Radiation Protection.

contact information

Marie Gunnarsson
Environmental coordinator
+46 90 786 64 80
marie.gunnarsson@umu.se

Frida Fjellström
1/2/2023