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Laboratory Cleanouts/Closeouts

Laboratory chemical cleanouts at MSU occur for a number of reasons including a complete lab closeout and shutdown, a large chemical inventory purge, or to move lab locations on campus.  The first step of the process is written permission to the EHS Hazardous Waste Group from either the Department or the Principal Investigator (PI) identifying the materials to be disposed of (i.e. chemical reagents, prep solutions, lab samples, etc.).

Regardless of which type of chemical cleanout or situation, the following basics apply:

  • Chemical Reagents

    Evaluate all chemical reagents in workspaces and look for any chemicals that are damaged, illegible, expired, or unwanted.  Make sure all labels are intact and legible for materials that will be disposed of, and especially for chemical reagents that will remain in the lab.

    Submit a Hazardous Waste request through the EHS Safety Portal for any chemical reagents that will not be used by laboratory personnel.  If there are a large amount of reagent bottles ( >50) to dispose of, the responsible individual can create a spreadsheet with location and contact information, and a list of the chemical names, sizes and number of bottles to be disposed of.  This spreadsheet can be emailed to hazwaste@msu.edu.

  • Prep Solutions

    Thoroughly check the workspace and dispose of ALL prep solutions that you have made.  Other laboratory personnel can create their own prep solutions for their work.  Make sure all prep solutions are clearly identified and have a waste tag attached listing all chemical constituents with no abbreviations.

    Submit a Hazardous Waste request through the EHS Safety Portal for all prep solutions.

  • Laboratory Samples

    Thoroughly check the workspace as well as all shared -80 freezers, refrigerators, freezers, core facilities, walk-in coolers, etc. to identify all of your samples.  All samples MUST be disposed of unless the PI has determined they are necessary to keep.  Any samples being kept, MUST be labeled as to their contents, including any toxins present, any preservative, and their respective concentrations.

    Any samples not being kept must be disposed of through EHS and must be properly labeled as to their contents as identified above.  Submit a Hazardous Waste request through the EHS Safety Portal for all laboratory samples to be disposed of.

  • Unknowns

    UNKNOWN CHEMICALS MUST NOT BE LEFT IN THE LAB OR WORKSPACE WHEN PERSONNEL LEAVE.  Contact the EHS Hazardous Waste group at hazwaste@msu.edu  for assistance if you identify any unknowns in your lab.

    If materials are not properly identified, and all efforts to identify the material have been exhausted, refer to the EHS Guidance document for Unknown materials procedures located here: https://ehs.msu.edu/waste/guidance/unknowns.html.

  • Waste Containers

    Make sure all hazardous waste containers have been submitted for pickup, including any temporary waste containers (aka day jars).  Do not leave hazardous waste containers in workspace for other personnel to use.  Make sure the contents are written on the waste tag and that they are accurate with no abbreviations.

    Submit a request for hazardous waste disposal through the EHS Safety Portal at least one month prior to vacating the workspace.

  • Gas Cylinders

    To dispose of gas cylinders in the lab, remove regulators, replace caps, and return to AirGas, if possible.  If cylinders are non-returnable, attach MSU Waste Tag with the name of the person responsible for the material including a phone number. **Note that current AirGas cylinders must be returned, and new cylinders purchased at your new location and cannot be moved**

Additional lab closeout information regarding chemicals, radioactive materials, controlled substances, and biological materials can be found here: https://ehs.msu.edu/lab-clinic/closeouts/index.html.

When lab spaces are closed out or vacated, old and often times expired chemical reagents and samples are left behind and inherited by the next incoming occupant.  These materials can introduce more hazards into the laboratory when they are pushed to the back of cabinets or drawers, or sit unused and unnoticed in dessicators, glove boxes, or fume hoods.  Not only are these unwanted reagents taking up valuable space, but over time the containers and caps may degrade, or the label may become illegible thereby creating unknowns.  All laboratory groups are strongly encouraged to dispose of old and expired chemicals as well as any chemicals not in use. 

Refer to the ACS Publications article “Challenges of Legacy Chemicals” for additional information regarding unwanted chemicals in a university setting.

Waste