Labels

Each waste container in a Satellite Accumulation Area (SAA) must be maintained with labels including: accumulation date, indication of hazards, all chemical constituents, and the words “Hazardous Waste”.  All information must be clearly visible and legible with no abbreviations.  These requirements are met with the MSU Waste Tag, and the 5-gallon containers, which are both provided by the EHS Hazardous Waste Program.  The MSU Waste Tag is not needed for any of the following wastes:  

• Chemicals in the original, manufacturer’s container with an intact, legible label. 
• Used Oil – EHS provides specific labels for Used Oil 
• Universal Waste – EHS provides specific labels for all Universal Waste types 
• Medical/Biological Sharps – EHS provides specific labels for medical/biological sharps containers 
• Pharmaceutical Waste – EHS provides specific labels for pharmaceutical waste containers

        

Requests for these labels may be made through the EHS Safety Portal.

All other wastes not identified above must have a MSU Waste Tag attached to the container with string, a twist tie, chain, tape, etc.  MSU Waste Tags not directly affixed to the container are a violation of hazardous waste regulations. 

Improperly completed MSU Waste Tags are the easiest to find and most commonly identified hazardous waste violations.  If the waste tag becomes damaged or heavily stained, it should be replaced immediately with a new tag.  The EHS Hazardous Waste Staff cannot accept any containers with an incomplete MSU Waste Tag. 

• Hazardous Waste Labels

  If using a container to store Hazardous Waste, other than the 5-gallon HDPE Carboy provided by MSU EHS, the container must be labeled with the words “Hazardous Waste”.  Make sure you have properly defaced the label of the container as shown below, and either write the words “Hazardous Waste” on the container, or utilize the label template below to pre-print labels for your lab.

  

   

  Hazardous Waste labels ready to affix to waste storage containers are available to print to Avery Template 5160.

  Template file for Avery 5160 Labels (DOCX)

   

• Pick Up Tags

  An MSU Waste Materials Pick Up Tag must be attached to each waste storage container.

  Complete immediately:

  • location and contact information
  • start date (date first drop of waste is added to container)

  
  Complete as waste is accumulated:

  • UNABBREVIATED chemical names of each material poured into container
  • Actual amounts of material added to container (amount of waste in container must match listed materials at all times)
  • Check balance water as necessary
  • Potential hazards (ignitable, corrosive, toxic, reactive) by checking applicable boxes

  
  Complete when container is full (or within 90 days):

  • Color
  • Consistency
    
    

  Request waste tags on the EHS Safety Portal (Lab Label Request).
• Temporary Containers (“Day Jars”)

  Day jars must be labeled with the words "Temporary Waste Container," "Hazardous Waste," the unabbreviated chemical constituents, and the hazards in the container. The original manufacturer label on the bottle must be fully defaced and unreadable. This can be done with a large Sharpie marker, or the label can be removed.

  Templates for labeling day jars:

  • Option 1 – sized to fit jars 1L in size - Avery Label #94213 (PDF)
  • Option 2 – sized to fit jars 4L in size - Avery Label #5126 (PDF)

  
  Alternatively, these labels can also be printed and taped to the Day Jars. Both pieces of the labels must be attached to the Day Jar.