1. Home
  2. The Laboratory
  3. Sorting and disposing of hazardous waste
  4. Waste classes

Waste classes

At the University of Iceland chemical waste is split into the following categories and assigned the appropriate label.

Substances are sorted according to how they are disposed of. It is especially important to note that even if substances belong in the same category, it must still be checked whether they may be mixed.

Packaging must be clearly marked with the letter of the appropriate category and the name of the substance or substances contained in the container. Note that it is not enough to write abbreviations or formulas, it is necessary to write the full name of the content.

It's convenient to start at the top and work your way down the list when finding the right category.

Only electronic components, electrical appliances and other electrical waste

Category S

Electrical appliances

Example:

  • Computers
  • Monitors
  • Discontinued equipment
  • Power cords

Conditions

The person who returns waste to hazardous waste category S guarantees that it does not contain:

  • Reactive substances classified in hazardous waste category O
  • Mercury (Hg)

Important tips

  • Light bulbs are collected separately because fluorine bulbs and halogen bulbs and energy-saving bulbs contain hazardous substances, e.g. fluorine and mercury, which must be collected to prevent them from getting into soil
Organic peroxide and powerful oxidizing agents. Substances which may react with water and / or form flammable or dangerous gases if in contact with water.

Category O

Reactive substances

Examples:

Oxidizing agent according to the transport standard ADR 5.1

  • Borate and Perborate
  • Bromates and perbromates
  • Chlorates and perchlorates
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Hydrogen peroxide (solid)
  • Iodates and periodates
  • Manganate and permanganate
  • Nitrate and nitrite salts
  • Inorganic peroxide

Organic Peroxide according to ADR 5.2, substances according to ADR 8.11 and 8.12 form acid vapors when reacted with water.

  • Aluminum chloride (anhydrous)
  • Chlorosulfonic acid
  • Járnklóríð (vatnsfrítt)
  • Phosphorus oxychloride
  • Sulfur dichloride
  • Thionyl chloride

Substances which, according to ADR 4.3, emit flammable gas if they come into contact with water.

  • Alkali metals and alloys
  • Aluminum (powder)
  • Amides and metals
  • Hydride
  • Silicide

Important tips

Measures shall be taken to reduce the effectiveness of substances in hazardous waste category O if possible. The above topics and groups are just examples, there are many more topics in all of these ADR categories.

Packaging:

Different substances in category O must be kept separate. If waste is not returned in the original packaging, use a clean plastic container.

    Substances containing mercury (Hg), such as batteries or chemical wastes containing mercury compounds.

    Category K

    Mercury

    Examples:

    • All mercury compounds
    • Mercury thermometers
    • Mercury lamps
    • Everything that contains mercury

    Conditions

    The person who returns waste in hazardous waste category K guarantees that it does not contain:

    • Reactive substances classified in hazardous waste category O

    Important tips

    • Never pour mercury waste in with other waste, keep it secure in a separate container.
    • If mercury is to be discarded, it must be very clearly labeled.
    Various wastes from laboratories, e.g. pressure cans, packaging, asbestos, medicines, isocyanides or mercury-free batteries.

    Category Z

    Various chemical wastes

    Examples:

    • Asbestos, packed according to Rules.
    • Mixed waste from laboratories in small packages.
    • Isocyanates
    • Sharp objects, knife blades and needles, etc. In approved boxes.
    • Spray cans and pressure bottles
    • Empty packaging
    • Unknown chemical waste.

    Conditions

    The person who returns waste in hazardous waste category Z guarantees that it does not contain:

    • Reactive substances classified in hazardous waste category O
    • Mercury (Hg) is placed in hazardous waste category K
    • Loose needles or knife blades

    Important tips

    • Loose needles and knife blades are dangerous for anyone handling waste after sorting.
    • Unknown waste is always placed in hazardous waste category Z.
    Insecticides of various kinds and packaging from insecticides.

    Category T

    Insecticides

    Examples:

    • Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT)

    Conditions:

    The person who returns waste in hazardous waste category T guarantees that it does not contain:

    • Reactive substances classified in hazardous waste category O
    • Mercury (Hg)

    Important tips:

    • Do not attempt to rinse containers of insecticides containing e.g. Hydrogen cyanide powder or aluminum, magnesium or zinc phosphide as they form dangerous fumes if they come in contact with water.
    • Empty pesticide containers should be tightly closed as far as possible and placed in hazardous waste category T
    Inorganic substances (acids and bases), e.g. hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, metal salts, alkalis such as sodium hydroxide, cyanide, etc.

    Catecory X

    Inorganic substances

    Examples:

    • Alkaline solutions containing cyanide
    • Alkaline alkaline solutions
    • hydrofluoric acid
    • Hypochlorite solutions
    • Metal hydroxide
    • Phosphoric acid
    • Hydrochloric acid
    • Sulfuric acid
    • Inorganic salts

    Conditions

    The person who returns waste in hazardous waste category X guarantees that it does not contain:

    • Organic compounds e.g. Oil, grease etc.
    • Reactive substances classified in hazardous waste category O
    • Mercury (Hg) is placed in hazardous waste category K
    • Isocyanates are classified as category Z

    Important tips

    • Mercury is placed in hazardous waste category K
    • Isocyanates are classified as hazardous substances Z
    • Cyanide waste must have a pH value higher than 10 if the concentration is below 3%. If the concentration exceeds 3%, dilute it.
    Oils, e.g. cooking oil, diesel oil, paraffin oils. Also in mixtures with minerals, water or contaminated waste.

    Category A

    Oils

    Examples:

    Diesel oil

    • Petroleum
    • Lubricating oil
    • Oil filters
    • Oil-contaminated soil

    Conditions

    The person who returns waste in hazardous waste category A guarantees that:

    • The waste contains only oils, possibly mixed with water or soil.
    • No emulsifiers have been added to the oil.
    • Halogens or sulfur are no more than 1% of the content and no PCB at all
    • the oil does not contain any inorganic substances
    • The waste is neither drilling nor cutting oil
    • The oil does not contain any active substance which should be classified in hazardous waste category O
    • The oil does not contain mercury (Hg)

    Important tips

    • Oil emulsifiers usually belong to hazardous waste categories H or C.
    • Halogens, sulfur and PCBs belong to category B.
    • Organic waste containing a maximum of 50% water usually belongs to category C.
    Halogenated and sulfurous substances such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine and sulfur. Also trichlorides (eg freon) as well as substances which may form gases containing halogen or sulfur.

    Category B

    Halogens and sulfur

    Examples:

    • Chloroform
    • Tetrachloromethane
    • Freon
    • Methylene chloride
    • Other halogenated solutions
    • Developing liquids containing more than 1% sulfur as thiosulphate
    • Glue containing halogens
    • PVC waste
    • Oil containing PCBs

    Conditions

    The person who returns waste in hazardous waste category B guarantees that it does not contain:

    • Reactive substances belonging to hazardous waste category O
    • Mercury (Hg)
    • Isocyanate
    • Insecticides or herbicides

    Important tips

    • Mercury belongs to category K
    • Isocyanates belong to hazardous waste class Z
    • Halogen and sulfur-free cutting oil fall into hazardous waste category H
    • If the total amount of halogen and sulfur exceeds 1%, the waste goes to hazardous waste category B.
    Organic, flammable hazardous substances such as petrol, turpentine, thinners, toluene, alcohol, acetone and similar substances. However, the water content must not exceed 50%.

    Category C

    Organic solvents

    Examples:

    • Acetone
    • Alcohol
    • Benzene
    • Petrol
    • Ether
    • Turpentine
    • Toluene
    • Xylene

    Conditions

    The person who returns waste in hazardous waste category C guarantees that it does not contain:

    • More than 50% Water.
    • Halogen, sulfur or mercury
    • Reactive substances belonging to category O

    Important tips

    • If the water content is more than 50%, the waste goes to category H
    • Halogens, sulfur and PCBs belong to category B.
    • Mercury belongs to category K
    Other organic wastes

    Category H

    Organic chemical waste

    Examples:

    • Amine
    • Drilling and cutting oil
    • Acetic acid
    • Epoxy compounds
    • Ethylene glycol
    • Fixer fluid
    • Formalin
    • Organic Salts
    • Organic Acid
    • Phenol
    • Phenol

    Conditions

    The person who returns waste in hazardous waste category H guarantees that it does not contain:

    • Reactive substances belonging to hazardous waste category O
    • Halogen, sulfur or mercury

    Important tips

    • Reactive substances fall into hazardous waste category O
    • Halogens, sulfur and PCBs belong to category B.
    • Mercury belongs to the category K
    • Isocyanates belong to hazardous waste class Z