Waste classes | Öryggi

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.