About/Contact Hazmat

The Hazardous Materials Group (Hazmat) manages all chemical waste on the CU Boulder campus. The Hazmat group collects, transports, stores, and manages all campus-generated hazardous chemical wastes for proper off-site disposal.

The University of Colorado Boulder is licensed by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) to operate a fully-permitted Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facility (TSDF). This license allows the Hazmat Group to manage hazardous waste in compliance with applicable federal and state laws.

Engaging in services and programs set up by our unit will ensure utmost safety while using chemicals in your laboratory. The Hazmat Group provides guidance and resources to researchers and operations groups to help with planning, identification, collection, storage, and submittal for pickup of hazarous waste.  We also safely transport, process, and ensure proper disposal of all campus-generated hazardous waste.  Proper chemical waste management is essential in ensuring the health and safety of people and the environment, and this is the Hazmat Group’s core responsibility.

Though our role involves a great deal of required procedures and documents to ensure compliance with regulations, members of the Hazmat Group also pride ourselves on the development of amenable and professional collaborative relationships with researchers with the goal of making compliance easier for everyone. We frequently work closely with researchers to develop innovative solutions which meet the intent of regulations while also facilitating each laboratory’s research needs. We are available to answer any questions or assist with issues involving chemical waste on campus at any time.

Services Provided

• Establishing accumulation areas for hazardous waste management (in conjunction with EHS’s Chemical Safety Group)
• Providing or suggesting proper collection and storage containers and containment (in conjunction with EHS’s Chemical Safety Group)
• Answering questions and providing best practices information on hazardous waste collection, with regard to isolation, separation, and segregation.
• Responding to requests for pickup of hazardous waste in a timely manner.
• Safely collecting, storing, and transporting all hazardous waste in accordance will all applicable rules & regulations.
• Directing waste generators to “partner programs”, in the event their hazardous waste requires other CU department involvement or outside assistance.