Notice: Temporary Disruption to Hazardous Waste Facility Operations
The University of Maryland’s Hazardous Waste Facility will be undergoing renovations from Friday, October 17th, through Friday, October 24th. During this period, daily operations and regular waste pickup services will not be available. Waste pickups and normal facility operations will resume on Monday, October 27th.
Please be advised that due to the week-long closure, there may be an initial delay in waste collections as staff work to address the backlog of approved submissions. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this transition.
If you experience an emergency requiring immediate assistance, contact us at envaffairs@umd.edu and include a detailed description of the services needed.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we complete these important improvements to better serve the campus community.
Waste Pickup Notice
Please allow a minimum of five (5) business days for the collection of approved waste submissions.
Improperly stored, tagged, or labeled waste will not be collected. These items must be corrected and resubmitted for approval before a pickup can be scheduled.
Laboratory Cleanouts & Chemical Waste Disposal
If you are planning a laboratory cleanout, please contact us in advance at envaffairs@umd.edu to coordinate proper waste management procedures.
Before submitting any materials, ensure that you are using the correct chemical waste tag for all containers.
To proceed, please select the appropriate waste type below to begin your submission.
Chemical Waste
Request a Chemical Waste Pickup
You are required to take Hazardous Waste Generator training annually
You must attach an UMD Hazardous Waste green tag to the container. If a UMD Hazardous Waste green tag is not attached to each container, ESSR will not pickup the waste.
Radioactive Waste
Request a Radioactive Waste Pickup
You are required to take Radioactive Waste Generator training annually
Biological Waste
Request a Biological Waste Pickup
You are required to take Biological Waste Generator training annually
Universal Waste
Fluorescent lamps and paint that are associated with a construction or renovation project please submit a Service Request.
Request a Chemical Waste Pickup for Lead-acid batteries, Used Pesticides, Mercury Thermostats, PCB-containing Lamp Ballasts and Paint.
All other batteries go into battery recycling bins located around campus.
Request an Empty Container
Use this form if you are not submitting a waste pickup request and need an empty container for your regulated waste.
Other Regulated Waste Services
A service request can be placed for:
- regulated waste removal, processing, transportation and disposal associated with laboratory/building clean-outs; quantities and items that exceed normal generation rates
- regulated waste removal from construction, renovation, demolition and real estate projects
- pickup, characterization and disposal of any unknown waste chemical or gas cylinder
NOTE: Regulations prohibit ESSR from collecting and disposing hazardous and universal waste from Non-University Users
How Do I Properly Manage My Waste?
A common question ESSR receives is where can I put my waste? Can it be poured down the drain or placed in the trash can?
Incompatible Chemicals
Some substances may react violently with one another and must be kept apart.