For a laboratory to function safely and efficiently, from university labs to commercial laboratories, the chemicals and other hazardous products within them need to be constantly assessed, stored, and removed. At key points in these labs, a laboratory clean-out may be needed. Learn the when, why, and how’s that surround these projects and how certified hazardous waste companies like NEDT can facilitate the proper storage, transportation, and disposal of these lab products.
When Is It Time for a Lab Cleanout?
There are several circumstances where the situation, quantity, or quality of your laboratory chemicals might necessitate a lab clean-out, including:
- Laboratory Move or Shutdown: The most common time for a lab cleanout is if the lab is moving locations (either inter-facility or to another location) or being shut down. Before chemicals can be moved or disposed of, they need to be reviewed by hazardous waste contractors.
- Accumulation of Chemicals: When unused for long periods of time or building to excessive amounts, lab chemical inventories may need to be reduced to avoid hazardous conditions. Contractors can sort through chemicals by amount and date to remove risks.
- Dealing with Hazardous Waste: If your facility generates hazardous waste regularly, scheduling a laboratory clean-out alongside hazardous waste transportation and disposal makes sense due to the overlap of staff and transportation needs.
Why Are Lab Cleanouts Necessary?
The more chemicals in inventory, the higher the chances of health and safety risks for staff and the facility as a whole. Excess chemical stockpiles, deteriorating chemicals and their containers, and unsafe storage (such as incompatible chemicals being stored next to one another) pose increasing risks of breakage, production of toxic gas, fire and explosion risks, and long-term health hazards. And with many chemicals being categorized as hazardous, proper disposal and transportation are vital. It’s important to work with a hazardous waste company that understands these needs and your specific situation.
How NEDT Handles Lab Clean-Outs
Check out the gallery below for how New England Disposal Technologies staff handle laboratory clean-outs.
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- Products are sorted by type, transportation, and disposal requirements and placed into proper containers, including drums, foam and plastic containers, and boxes.
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- Expert staff with the proper eye, respiratory, and hand protection for your lab and chemicals handled go through all products, inspecting containers and their contents and following proper safety procedures at all times.
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- Exhaustive paperwork is the name of the game with NEDT for both thoroughness and compliance with state and federal regulations, including EPA numbers, physical state, container sizes, and quantities.
As an approved FAC110 Contract Vendor in MA, NEDT is ready to assist with all forms of hazardous waste removal, from lab cleanouts to full-on hazardous waste removal and transportation of any size. This, coupled with our industrial cleaning and maintenance, site remediation, and disaster response, makes NEDT the perfect partner for your laboratory clean-out and beyond. Contact us today to get started, get a quote, and have any questions you might have answered.
