WASTE ORIGIN:Diagnostic Materials and Cleaning Equipment
WASTE TYPES: Alcohols, Developer and Developer Systems Cleaners (Chromium),Pharmacy Supplies, Photographic Wastes, Silver (X-ray Fixer, X-ray Film), Solvent Wastes (Xylene, Xylene-alcohol Mixtures), and Vapor Sterilizer Chemicals (Formaldehyde)

WASTE REDUCTION AND RECYCLING METHODS:

• Control inventory to reduce both solid and hazardous wastes:
  • Minimize chemical inventories with "Just-In-Time" purchasing;
  • Arrange with a supplier to make daily deliveries (eliminates maintaining expensive inventory and minimizes storeroom space);
  • Provide area where chemical and liquid wastes cannot drain to the sewer in the event of an accident or spill;
  • Use the first-in, first-out system to rotate chemical stocks, pay attention to expiration dates;
  • Buy drugs in container sizes that permit formulation of daily doses with the least quantity of excess product leftover;
  • Centralize chemical and/or drug procurement through one department or person.
• Request recyclable tote containers from suppliers, whenever possible, to reduce chemical drum waste and disposal costs.
• Separate waste streams to avoid mixtures of hazardous and nonhazardous liquids (reduce volumes of waste requiring special treatment):
  • Avoid mixing solvent wastes, like xylene, with alcohols (methyl, ethyl, and isopropyl), chromic acid (glassware cleaner), and water.
• Determine dilution rates of alcohol that can be discharged to the sanitary sewer system; consult the local publicly-owned treatment works (POTW) on what disposal activities are acceptable.
• Reduce photographic wastes from imaging equipment, like wastewater containing photographic chemicals and silver from film:
  • Extend the life of fixing baths by adding ammonium thiosulfate (doubles the allowable concentration of silver buildup in the bath);
  • Add acetic acid to fixing baths to keep the pH of the bath optimally low.
• Do not mix used X-ray fixer and developer: dedicate separate containers and treatment methods.
• Used X-ray fixer can be handled in a couple ways:
  • Collect and store in a closed plastic container labeled "Hazardous Waste - Used Fixer" with the date fixer was first added;
  • Contact a recycling service when enough fixer has accumulated (usually 5-10 gallons);
  • Install a silver recovery unit at the end of the X-ray processing unit.
• Used X-ray film should be placed in a labeled container; silver reclamation companies often take film.
• X-ray developer can be poured down a drain (sewered) that is connected to a POTW, but not into a septic system.
• Contact local or state government agencies with solid and hazardous waste departments for information on recycling services and medical/infectious waste transporters/disposers.

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