The University of Sheffield
Department of Physics and Astronomy

Solvents, acids and disposal of chemical waste and sharps

Access to solvents and acids

A completed and signed COSHH form needs to be shown before access to solvents and acids is granted.

In C27, there are three metal cupboards used for storing solvents and acids. The right hand cupboard is kept for GENERAL solvents, the centre one for ACIDS and the left hand one is kept for any SPECIAL LIQUIDS and any that you might want to store if you cannot store them in your own lab for any reason.

Keys for these cupboards (and blank COSHH forms if you need them) are available from Steve Collins (E30/23511).

Please fill in the correct signing out sheet (maximum 250ml unless by special arrangement). If you cannot find what you need, please contact Steve Collins.

Disposal of chemical waste

  1. Non-liquid. Refer to your COSHH form or supervisor.

  2. Liquid. Any stored liquid should be kept in a suitable container and correctly labelled, whether they are for use or disposal. Waste solvents can be taken to C27. In the WASTE SOLVENTS cupboard under the workbench there are containers for liquid waste labelled A to E. Select the correct container which has your solvent included in its list.

    i) for small amounts, carefully pour your waste into the correctly identified container and fill in the form on the wall.
    ii) for large amounts, leave your waste in its clearly labelled container in the cupboard or on the workbench above the waste solvents cupboard, again filling in the form on the wall.

Clean, empty/used Winchesters can be taken from the top shelf of the waste solvent cupboard and reused as waste solvent containers as long as they are clearly re-labelled.

Disposal of sharps

All sharp items must be disposed of safely, eg used/broken/contaminated glass slides, syringes, glassware, scalpel blades. For any item that will not fit in the sharps bin please see Steve Collins.

When your sharps bin is full, seal it and take it to C27 where you will find a large yellow tub to deposit it in. Please fill in the form on the wall and identify your bin.

If you need a new/replacement sharps bin please find a technician to let you in the Physics store (D25). Don't forget to sign for it and any other items you require.