Visual Arts and Hazardous Waste
REDUCE REUSE and RECYCLE
Reduce – the amount of hazardous waste you generate by using less hazardous materials or substitute hazardous chemicals for non hazardous chemicals in your processes
Reuse – reuse chemicals until there properties are spent, or share your excess stock with a dept who may need it rather than discarding it.
Recycle - our solvent rags are being cleaned and reused saving hazardous waste disposal
There are several types of wastes that can be generated in Arts. Some examples include:
- Oily rags
- Solvent wastes (turpentine, paint thinner, etc.)
- Paints
- Baby oil
- Linseed oil
- Ceramic glaze
- Photographic chemicals
- Acids and bases
- Sharp implements
- Lubricating oils
- Empty chemical containers
- Clay
Many of these wastes are considered hazardous waste by the US Environmental Protection Agency and require special handling. These materials may not be poured 
down the drain.
Oily or Solvent Rags
Oily rags must be placed in a red oily rag can such as the one pictured here. The rags are emptied out each night by the arts dept staff. Do not leave oily rags lying around the floor. Linseed oil, in particular, can ignite on its own if left out, causing fire that may spread to other areas. The oily rag can is self-closing to prevent such an occurrence.
Solvents
Solvents, such as paint thinner, turpentine, toluene, mineral spirits, xylene, and alcohols are considered hazardous waste. DO NOT DUMP them down the drain. Follow the instructions for handling hazardous waste.
Paints
Oil-based paints are considered hazardous waste. DO NOT DUMP oil-based paint down the drain or place in regular trash. Oil-based paints may be combined with solvents and linseed oil for disposal. Follow the instructions for handling hazardous wastes. Latex paints should be dried out and placed in regular trash.
Baby Oil
Baby oil is not considered hazardous waste. Baby oil can be used to clean brushes and can be washed down the drain. Excess baby oil can be disposed in the regular trash.
Linseed Oil
Because of its potential for fire, linseed oil should be handled as a hazardous waste, in a similar manner as solvents. Linseed oil can be combined with oil-based paints and solvents for disposal. Follow the instructions for handling hazardous waste.
Ceramic Glaze
Many ceramic glazes contain metals that are considered hazardous waste. Unused 
portions of the glazes should be recycled where possible or disposed as hazardous waste. Glaze preparation and rinsing should be conducted in the sink specified for this purpose. This sink is equipped with a settling tank to prevent the solids from entering the drain.
At least quarterly, the settling tank must be opened and emptied.
Photographic Chemicals
Photographic chemicals generally fit into four categories: fixers, developers, rinses, and specialized chemicals. Standard developers and rinses can be rinsed down the drain during processing. Most fixers contain silver in quantities above the amount allowed for sewer disposal. Fixer wastes must be collected and either poured through the silver recovery unit on the first floor photo area or collected as hazardous waste. Specialized chemicals, such as special acids and bases, should be assumed to be hazardous waste and collected accordingly.
Acids and Bases
Materials with a pH of less than 2 or more than 12.5 are considered hazardous waste. Do not mix these wastes with the solvent or oil wastes. Use care when handling acids and bases and follow the instructions for handling hazardous waste.
Lubricating Oils
Oils such as pump oil, motor oil and other machine oils are recyclable. These materials should be placed in a plastic container, sealed and labeled as Used Oil. Do not label them as hazardous waste or as waste oil. The used oil should be disposed via the monthly waste pickup.
Broken Glass Sharp Implements
Sharp objects, such as razor blades, knives, and broken glass should be packaged in a puncture-proof jar or box and placed in the regular trash. Pre-packaging helps to avoid injury to janitors or others handling the trash.
Empty Chemical Containers
Empty chemical containers should be triple-rinsed and recycled or placed in regular trash.
Clay
Clay is not considered hazardous waste -Silica, which occurs naturally in all ceramic clay products, including slip, has been linked to possible environmental health problems. Long term exposure to silica may cause lung damage. Crystalline silica is considered a cancer agent by inhalation based on experimental These health problems may occur through long-term respiratory exposure
to dust from the dry clay or dry slip mix. Clay in the moist or slip form is considered NON-TOXIC. Always keep in mind to finish the work while the clay is still wet. Finish with a wet sponge; do not sand. In order to use clay safely, dust producing procedures (dry mixing, sanding) should be avoided whenever mixing or working with clays.
Clay that dries out on the workshop floor and clay dust that settles on ledges and windowsills can become a serious health hazard. Always:
- Clear up spillages before they dry out
- Wet wipe areas where dust is building up
- DO NOT DRY SWEEP. Floors MUST be washed clean and dried to avoid slipping
- The floor areas in the studios must be kept clear at all times. The floor areas are washed regularly and items on the floor are likely to become very wet.
Handling Hazardous Waste
Materials that are to be disposed of as hazardous waste must be placed in sealable containers. Containers should be filled, leaving a headspace for expansion of the contents. Often the original container is perfectly acceptable. If you routinely generate significant quantities of compatible solvents, bulking of waste in five-gallon carboys may be practical.
Similar wastes may be mixed if they are compatible (e.g solvents, linseed oil and oil-based paint).
Containers must be kept closed except during actual transfers. Do not leave a hazardous waste container with a funnel in it.
Waste containers must be labeled as hazardous waste as soon as the material is first put into the container.
Procedure
- Place the waste materials in an appropriate waste container.
- Seal the container. Do not leave a funnel in an open container.
- Ensure the container has a completed hazardous waste sticker on it. If there is no room for a sticker, or if a sticker is not immediately available, write the words "Hazardous Waste" on the container and ensure that the contents are clear.
- Once the container is full, inform the EH&S Dept at 3310 to schedule a waste pickup.
General Recommendations
- Don’t purchase more of a material than you expect to use in the foreseeable future. The costs of disposal often exceed the purchase cost by a considerable margin.
- Substitute with a less hazardous material whenever possible.
- Consistent with safe practice, bulk compatible waste in containers up to five gallons in capacity to reduce disposal costs (consult with EHS first).
- Keep all chemical containers clearly and unambiguously labeled All virgin containers of chemical must be labeled with at least the name of the chemical and the primary hazard such as denatured alcohol, flammable.
- Dispose of your wastes at the completion of a project - don’t abandon them for someone else to deal with later.
Contact Information
Kyle Mungavin, Assistant Director
Office: Service Building room 217
Phone: 257-3310
