What are lab pack services, and why would you need them?
Perhaps you are relocating a laboratory, purging an overflowing maintenance closet, or doing your annual lab or facility cleanout. Unneeded chemicals take up valuable lab and storage space. In addition, they can also pose a safety hazard as certain chemicals become unstable or even explosive over time.
Hazardous chemicals cannot simply be thrown in the trash or poured down the drain. It is dangerous to pack chemicals together that are incompatible. Because of this, hazardous waste needs to be appropriately labeled and packaged before being transported to a licensed treatment facility. It is crucial to have someone familiar with lab packing the different chemical waste streams in a safe and efficient process that is also the most cost-effective way possible.
What is a Lab Pack?
Lab packing is a process of safely packaging and shipping hazardous and non-hazardous materials. These materials often include laboratory chemicals, samples that contain hazardous properties, and cleaning and maintenance supplies. The lab pack process will ensure incompatible chemicals will not come into contact with each other. Then, the like-chemicals go into a larger DOT-approved container, such as a 55-gallon hazardous waste drum with a compatible absorbent. Once packaged, everything is appropriately labeled to clearly define what is inside. Next, MERI will ready manifests outlining the inventory before a licensed hazardous waste hauler comes to collect for safe transport to a licensed hazardous waste treatment facility. Lastly, the generator’s documents will be recorded, noting the disposal date.
With MERI’s lab packing services, our Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM) will work with you to characterize the waste(s) you have for disposal. Furthermore, all the supplies and materials will be brought to your site to properly segregate and package hazardous materials in DOT required containers for safe transport. Lastly, we will complete all labeling and secure the necessary paperwork.
Protect your employees from danger, comply with the amount of chemical waste you can store at one time, and avoid fines for improper hazardous waste storage violations.
If you find yourself accumulating either expired or unwanted chemicals that you now need to dispose of properly, lab pack services are an efficient, safe, and cost-effective removal process from your facility for proper disposal.
Bob Rizza, a Certified Hazardous Materials Manager, (CHMM) contributed to this article. As MERI’s Environmental Manager, he helps customers properly manage their hazardous waste and is committed to both compliant and sustainable environmental practices.
