15.4.3 : Policy on hazardous waste disposal

Guideline of Chemical Management

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) enforces a robust, prevention-focused policy for hazardous materials disposal through its "Guidelines of Chemical Management" (CMU/GP/01), ensuring all chemical life-cycle stages comply with national regulations. This policy establishes a mandatory process covering the identification, minimization, and required disposal information for all hazardous waste generated from research and teaching activities.

The policy mandates that hazardous waste management begins at the point of procurement, not disposal. Researchers are required to proactively consider the "amount and type of waste generated" from any activity and to prioritize the substitution of chemicals to minimize hazardous waste production, explicitly listing "waste disposal" as a major factor when evaluating safer alternatives. Furthermore, the guidelines enforce a 'reduce the size' principle, stipulating the purchase of minimal volumes to prevent future disposal costs and hazards associated with unused chemicals.

Crucially, the policy integrates regulatory compliance by requiring every hazardous chemical to be accompanied by a Safety Data Sheet (SDS). The guidelines explicitly highlight that the SDS must contain Section 13: Disposal information. This ensures that specific, correct, and legally compliant procedures for the disposal of every chemical substance are readily available and mandatory for all staff and students. By embedding disposal responsibility and knowledge into the initial stages of chemical management, UTM has a comprehensive policy that strictly governs the entire process of hazardous waste, from its prevention to its legal elimination.

Source :

https://ppmu.utm.my/cmu/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/01/CMUGP01-GP-Chemical-Management.pdf